CEA Ethical Principles & Moral Reasoning 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is an example of an ethical dilemma?
- Choosing whether to steal money from an employer
- Deciding between two equally compelling moral obligations that cannot both be fulfilled (Correct answer)
- Selecting the most cost-effective supplier among several options
- Determining whether to obey a clearly legal and fair regulation
Correct answer: Deciding between two equally compelling moral obligations that cannot both be fulfilled
An ethical dilemma arises when two or more legitimate moral obligations conflict and satisfying one necessarily compromises another.
Question 2: The practice of 'ethical egoism' holds that:
- We should always prioritize others' needs above our own
- Each person ought to act in their own long-term self-interest (Correct answer)
- Moral rules must be created by society collectively
- Actions are ethical only if they reflect religious teachings
Correct answer: Each person ought to act in their own long-term self-interest
Ethical egoism is the normative theory that each person should act to maximize their own self-interest.
Question 3: Which concept explains why individuals in a group setting may feel less personal responsibility to act ethically?
- Moral licensing
- Bounded ethicality
- Diffusion of responsibility (Correct answer)
- Cognitive dissonance
Correct answer: Diffusion of responsibility
Diffusion of responsibility occurs when individuals feel less accountable for action or inaction because responsibility is shared among a group.
Question 4: In the context of business ethics, 'stakeholder theory' argues that organizations have ethical obligations to:
- Shareholders exclusively, as they bear financial risk
- Employees only, since they create value for the firm
- All parties affected by the organization's decisions (Correct answer)
- Government regulators who oversee the industry
Correct answer: All parties affected by the organization's decisions
Stakeholder theory holds that businesses are morally obligated to consider the interests of all groups affected by their operations, not just shareholders.
Question 5: A professional refuses to disclose a client's illegal activity to authorities. This most likely conflicts with which ethical principle?
- Confidentiality
- Justice (Correct answer)
- Beneficence
- Autonomy
Correct answer: Justice
While confidentiality is important, justice requires that harmful or illegal actions be addressed, and withholding this information may perpetuate harm to others.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes 'moral courage'?
- The ability to always identify the morally correct action
- The willingness to act ethically even when facing personal risk or social pressure (Correct answer)
- Avoiding conflicts by staying neutral on controversial moral issues
- Following the majority's ethical judgments in all situations
Correct answer: The willingness to act ethically even when facing personal risk or social pressure
Moral courage is the disposition to act on one's ethical convictions despite fear of personal, professional, or social consequences.
Question 7: Which reasoning approach asks 'What would a reasonable, wise person do in this situation?'
- The categorical imperative test
- The utilitarian calculus
- The reasonable wise person standard (Correct answer)
- The golden rule formulation
Correct answer: The reasonable wise person standard
The reasonable wise person standard is a practical ethical benchmark that considers what a knowledgeable, fair-minded person with good judgment would do.
CEA Ethical Principles & Moral Reasoning 4
Which of the following is an example of an ethical dilemma?