Big Brother Bart - Case Study Example

Running Head: BIG BROTHER BART Big Brother Bart – An Ethical Case Study Submitted by: XXXXXXX Number: XXXXXXX XXXXXXX of XXXXXXX Date of Submission: XX – XX – 2010 Introduction: Ethics is a very important element of every business. In a number of cases there is a moral dilemma that is found within the companies in regards to the business decisions or other simple decisions. This paper aims at discussing one such case of Bart a systems analyst. The paper will discuss in brief an overview of the case, following which a few theories have been chosen and applied to the case. This is followed by an analysis of the case based on the theories and a strong set of conclusions based on the research. Brief Overview: The case here is of Bart a systems analyst working for a medium sized investment company. The case brings out the work of Bart and also brings into light the software used by him to keep a tab on the employee systems to ensure that the software is working fine. Bart uses this software to keep track of people who have issues with new software and he uses this log in to simply keep an eye on the working conditions of the software. Bart’s manager requests him to use this software to keep track of two specific employees who are under the suspicion of trading in drugs using the office computers. Bart is faced with an ethical dilemma here and is unsure of whether it is a good idea to keep a tab on an employee’s computer for this reason. In this case the question is to analyse whether it is ethical for Bart to keep a tab on the employee systems or not and to analyse the theories that relate to these. The two chosen theories here are Utilitarianism and Deontology. The following section provides a brief overview of these theories and helps set the base for analysis of the case. Utilitarianism and Deontology: Utilitarianism and Kantian Deontology share one thing in common, i.e. they are both aimed to provide solutions to moral dilemmas. Utilitarianism is more of morality of justice and it focuses more on maximising the utility or ensuring that most numbers of persons are satisfied and happy with the result that is taken up (Tavani, 2004: 234 - 244). This is relatively much better than the Kantian Deontology or any other deontology approach as this takes into consideration the importance of satisfying people and tries to build a foundation with complete justice (Rachels, 1998: 226 - 240). Here in the case of Utilitarianism, the main aim is to ensure that all parties involved are benefiting from the decision made and there is a high level of success for a number of people in the case. This method (utilitarianism) takes everybody to be equal and it looks for a solution which is for the benefit of more number of people (Held, 2006: 156-162). This was developed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill in the 19th century. The main focus of this is to provide higher amounts of happiness to all. This has been defined as “Ethics concept in which the happiness of the greatest number of people in the society is considered the greatest good. According to this philosophy, an action is morally right if its consequences lead to happiness (absence of pain), and wrong if it ends in unhappiness (pain). And since the link between actions and their happy or unhappy outcomes depends on the circumstances, no moral principle is absolute or necessary in itself” (Business Dictionary, 2010). Kantian Deontology on the other hand has a very different approach towards the moral decisions. This is better referred to as the duty based ethics. This has been defined as: “The ethical study of morals, duties and rights with an approach that focuses on the rightness or wrongness of actions themselves, as opposed to the rightness or wrongness of the consequences of those actions” (Allwords, 2010). This approach is based on the fact that humans have a duty and it is to act in certain ways irrespective of the happiness that it produces also irrespective of any other consequences. The method is an excellent theory to be used in case of a dilemma of choice and this method proves to be very helpful in making the right decision irrespective of the consequences of the decision. The method follows the path of truth and justice and aims at ensuring that people benefit from the ethical behaviour. It is essential to compare the two theories as these form the basis of the conclusion being taken in this case. Both the theories have tried to bring about and develop the ethics of care and both these are relatively rational in their moral epistemologies. Utilitarianism and Deontology both are simple and rely on the universal truths. The two theories also take into consideration that the concept of person is more individualistic and independent. Both these methods are best suited to solve the issues of the public life and public matters rather than personal and family issues and any issues if friendship. Also both these are concerned with the issues such as justice (Held, 2006: 166-168). Also these aim at providing people with an equitable solution which is ethical and moral and recognition of individual rights and focus on providing the justice and complete fairness, equally. This hence proves to be the best suited method for the case of Bart as the aim here is to ensure that most people benefit from the decision made and also to ensure that the individuals actually working on illegal matters within the company are given the right punishment. Hence based on the two above mentioned theories, a brief analysis and conclusion has been discussed further. Big Brother’s Case: In the case of Big brother, Bart is under the ethical dilemma of whether or not it is a good option to keep a tab on the employees of the company and to keep track of their every movement on the company computers (Johnson, 2009: 112-120). Considering this case in terms of utilitarianism it is clear that the Bart should undertake this job and complete it as it is for the benefit of everyone. Having two people who sell drugs from within a company, using the company computer can lead to a bad image for the company and all the employees working in it (Rachels, 1998: 126 - 134). Having said this, if Bart does take up this task and track down the employee movements, it will help remove these employees based on through evidence and will ensure that the rest of the employees who have nothing to do with the drugs or other related items are not faced with issues due to the mistake of two people (Tavani, 2004, p. 345 - 350). Likewise if the news of the drug dealership is wrong and accused people are not involved in any such activity, then such interference and spying will prove to be useful in proving them innocent (Kleinig, 1996: 236-245). Having said this, it is clear that the interference and checking by Bart will allow the company to take the right decision which will benefit everyone within the organisation as well as will keep the work environment safe and drug free (ILO, 2010). Considering the Deontology theory in the case of Big Brother Bart, it is clear that the decision to take up the project and keep a tab on the employees clearly falls into this theory. The theory as discussed earlier aims at the right steps and decisions made and not on the consequences of the decisions, which is a very appropriate point to be noted here in the case of Bart. Taking the decision of tracking the employees and their activities on the office computers is the right decision to be made at the current time (Lachman, 2007). Irrespective of whether the employees are guilty or innocent, this is beneficial for the company and for all the co-workers and the office environment as a whole. Conclusions: Based on the case and the various theories that relate to ethical behaviour and ethical decision making, it can be concluded that it will be the right decision for Bart to take up his project and to spy on the employees. The main reasons that relate to this conclusion are that, a) it is beneficial for all within the company, i.e. employees, staff, shareholders, and employers, b) it will help keep the work place and environment free and clean of corruption and any form of illegal activity, c) it is a safety measure for the company’s image as well as for the employees working in the company, d) it will help in ensuring that no individual within the company works on anything illegal and e) will ensure that customers and the work processes are not disrupted and affected in any manner. The overall positives and the benefits of the decision of Bart taking up the assignment is much higher than any negative aspects of the decision. Hence in conclusion it is safe to say that, Bart should take up this task and work towards assisting the company find the two employees who are being accused for the drug dealership. This will have an overall impact on the organisation and will prove to be beneficial for all. References Allwords. (2010). Deontology. Retrieved July 31, 2010, from http://www.allwords.com/word-deontology.html Business Dictionary. (2010). Utilitarianism. Retrieved July 28, 2010, from http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/utilitarianism.html Held, V. (2006). The Ethics of Care. New York : Oxford University Press, p. 156 - 178. ILO. (2010). Your health and safety at work, Male and female reproductive health hazards in the workplace. Retrieved July 20, 2010, from http://actrav.itcilo.org/actrav-english/telearn/osh/rep/prod.htm Johnson, G. D. (2009). Computer Ethics. Upper Saddle River N.J: Pearson Education International, p. 112-143. Kleinig, J. (1996). The Ethics of Policing. Cambridge: CUP, p. 231-300. Lachman, J. A. (2007). Are They Just Bad Apples? Ethical Behaviour in Organizational settings. Washington : Seattle. Retrieved July 20, 2010, from http://www.abanet.org/cpr/pubs/lachman.pdf Rachels, J. (1998). Ethical Theories 2: Theories About How We Should Live . Oxford University Press, p. 125-140, 223 - 247. Tavani, T. H. (2004). Ethics and technology: ethical issues in an age of information and communication technology. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, p. 234 - 364. Read More