1 Candace Washington - CRIM4200001: Ethics in Criminal Justice - Dr. Tucker-Gail - 9.15.11 & 11.17.

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Moral Dilemma: What’s More Important, Friends, Jobs, or Moral Beliefs?

Introduction

A moral dilemma can be defined as a situation(s) in which each possible course of action

breaches some otherwise binding moral principle. A moral dilemma requires an individual to

make a cognitive decision based on their values, morals and reason. Goal #1 To know about the

terms associated with ethics attempts to define morals and ethics by stating, “Many people think

of distinctions between behavior that is viewed as right and wrong. Regardless of right or wrong,

the term ethics is usually associated with some form of human behavior” (Goal #1). In most

moral or ethical dilemmas, the participating persons tend to rationalize a situation in attempt to

make their decision seem plausible. In the lesson Goal #4 To know about ethics, behavior and

criminality it is explained that when rationalizing a situation there are three factors that occur

which causes an individual’s behaviors to: (1) cause something to seem reasonable, (2) attribute

one's actions to rational and credible motives without analysis of true motives, or (3) provide

plausible but untrue reasons for conduct. “What rationalization does, according to these

important parts, is to use one explanation for a behavior that is rational and credible, even though

there may be another reason for the behavior” (Goal #4). Everyone has tried to rationalize their

decisions in life.

Throughout my life I have been in many moral dilemmas in school, at home, at my

workplace, and during my everyday life and encounters with people. Like others who also

experience moral dilemmas, I attempt to rationalize and justify my unethical behaviors by

making excuses and attempting to make a situation seem reasonable. Everyone will have to face

moral dilemmas throughout their lives including religious persons, lawyers, judges, doctors,

pharmacists, athletes, students, chefs, ect. In any profession there may be an instance in which

ones morals are tested. In this paper I will attempt to explain an instance in which I faced a moral

dilemma at my job. I will examine my experience during this specific moral dilemma by

explaining the specific dilemma, the possible courses of action, the decision that I made along

with my reason for choosing this decision, and the outcome of the situation. By examining my

experience I am hoping that the reader can relate theories to understanding how moral dilemmas

occur in our everyday lives.

The dilemma

Recently I was an employee of a supermarket. While working at this supermarket I

worked various positions. I stocked shelves, counted inventory, greeted customers, bagged

customer’s goods, and worked as the cashier. I enjoyed my job. During my tenure I attempted to

be an honest, hardworking and dedicated employee. I was working the job to pay for college and

pay other bills that I had in my life; therefore I did not want to lose this job. The facility that I

worked at was located near my college campus. Because of this, I saw many of the university’s

students come in and out every day. My friends would come by the store from time-to-time to

purchase items or just to chat with me. There were many occasions in which I was faced with

moral dilemmas. In most scenarios’ I let my moral values surpass the worldly temptations;

however there were a few instances in which I did not live up to my moral values.
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As I previously stated, many of my friends would come to the supermarket in which I

worked in to purchase various items. Some of my friends would try to steal merchandise, use

my employee discount, or try to get me to scan or ring up items so that they could pay a lesser

price than its value. Why is this moral dilemma? This is a moral dilemma because I would have

to think about whether or not I should let my friends commit this unlawful activity. I had to make

a decision based on the possibility of me losing my job, or me feeling bad for participating in my

friends’ wrongdoing. On-the-other-hand I had to feel bad about not helping my friends. I felt as

if I was not a true friend because I was not participating in their crimes. I did not want to lose my

job; however I did not want to lose my friends; but more so I didn’t want to disgust myself and

my religious beliefs of sinning and stealing.

Alternative course of action

Although this was a minor moral dilemma, it involved a lot of different variables involved in

this situation. In this specific circumstance there were many different courses of action that

could have been made which includes:

1. Participating in my friend’s decision to commit the crime without snitching on them.

2. Participating in my friend’s decision to commit the crime, but snitching on them

afterwards.

3. Not participating in my friend’s decision to commit crime and ending our friendship.

4. Not participating in my friend’s crime, but remaining friends with them.

5. Explaining to my friends the potential consequences of their actions.

6. Telling my friends they can steal items, and tell them not to mention my name.

7. Report to my boss the possibilities of my friends coming in to steal from the supermarket.

8. Turn my cheek and act as if I didn’t know whether or not my friends were stealing.

Some of the courses of action would cause my friends to label me as a bad friend. Others would

cause me to be a bad employee. There are some that would make me feel like a bad person

because of my values, morals and religious beliefs.

School of Thought

The “School of Thought that best represents my decision is Virtue School. I based my

based my outcome from my values and moral beliefs. Socrates founded the school based upon

knowledge and moral character. Goal 2 states that Socrates believed, “…A person would be

able to distinguish right and wrong behavior if the person had knowledge.” By informing my

friends of all the consequences that could possible erupt including: (1) the people who could be

hurt, (2) their futures and (3) all of the negative outcomes of the situation, I can make the girls

understand and become knowledgeable of the situation. In Goal 2 another great philosopher,

Plato argued, “Justice must be built on morality.” An individual can base their actions from

their knowledge of certain situations. If the girls do not know that stealing is wrong; how can

their actions be justified?

My decision

There were a variety of decisions that I could have made. Because I wanted to keep my

jobs, my friends, and feel good about my decision I decided to talk to my friends. I explained to
 5 Candace Washington - CRIM4200001: Ethics in Criminal Justice - Dr. Tucker-Gail - 9.15.11 & 11.17.11

my friends that if they stole from my place of work everyone could potentially suffer

consequences. I could possibly lose my job, and they could possibly get caught and have to pay

a fine or go to jail. If I lose my job it would go on my permanent record that I was an accomplice

to theft and I could not get another job in retail. I would not be able to pay for school and pay

my bills without a job. I explained to them that if they got caught they could also have this

placed on their permanent record. With this on their record they too could lose future

employment opportunities. They would also be banned from the supermarket and have a picture

placed in the front of the store so that everyone that enters knows that they stole from the

supermarket. It would be embarrassing because many students and people that know the females

come to the store would see the picture. Lastly I explained that their parents would possibly find

out. “Who wants their parents to know that they were arrested for stealing?”

In Goal #5 To know about legal concepts of ethics Hirschi…theorized that people who

live in the same social setting shared common moral beliefs. This theory is true in this instance.

All of my friends have the same common views on life including religion, morals, education,

social life, relationships, etc. Because most of my friends have similar religious beliefs I

explained to them how committing this negative act will haunt them mentally, emotionally and

spiritually. I realize that mentioning or introducing “God” to people in some negative scenarios’

tend to make people with morals rethink before they commit a crime or sin.

In Goal #3 To know about psychological theories of moral development it is stated,

“Gilligan's research indicated that women more likely to look at a moral dilemma by identifying

concrete and detailed knowledge of the situation, and then women consider the relationships
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involved.” This theory is seen in my decision. Instead of letting my friends commit the crime, I

explained to them repercussions and possible outcomes of their potential actions. As a female I

showed that I cared about the long term outcomes rather than the short term outcomes.

Reason for my decision

Gilligan's study found that men analyze moral decisions with a rules or justice

orientation…whereas many women see the same moral dilemma with an orientation toward

needs and relationships” (Goal #3). I made my decision based upon Gilligan’s study. I aimed to

maintain a positive relationship with my friends, my job, myself, and my religious beliefs.

Although I didn’t want to lose my friends friendship, I didn’t want to witness my friends being

punished. I wanted to keep all of my relationships. I decided to explain to them what could

possibly happen if they committed a crime at my place of work. Whether or not they chose to

continue with the crime was their decision. I just wanted to make sure that I did the ‘right’ thing

morally. There was a chance that they would not like me; but it was a risk that I was willing to

take. I believe that true friends will understand their other friends. If they could not understand

why I didn’t want to participate in their criminal activities, they weren’t my real friends. True

friends try to do what’s right for their friends even if it will have a negative effect on the

relationship. In this specific incident I knew that my friendship was at stake, but I was willing to

sacrifice it for the betterment of all of our lives.

Outcome of situation
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The outcome of the situation was very positive. My group of friends understood the

repercussions that they could possibly suffer if they committed the crime. They didn’t want to

get me fired from my job, and they didn’t want to be embarrassed by being arrested and being

banned from the store. They were very appreciative that I took my time to inform them of the

consequences that may derive from trying to steal, get a discount, or illegally price items at the

supermarket. One of my friends said that she didn’t think of the negative outcomes of being

committing the crime. Instead they only were thinking about getting free items. I believe that

this occurs in many moral dilemmas. People do not think about the ‘worst case scenarios.”

Once I brought this to my friend’s attention they were timid and decided not to commit a crime.

The girls also felt bad about disregarding their religion. They understood that they could

possibly suffer spiritually because the crime that they were about to commit. My mission was

accomplished. My friends and I still had our friendship, I had my job, everyone was safe, and I

was happy with my decision. I am hoping that this lesson helped my friends with their future

decisions. Hopefully they think twice before they plan on committing a crime or doing

something that is illegal.

School of Thought and Future Endeavors

The Virtue School of Thought is important to my present and future life endeavors.

Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle all agree that knowledge has an effect on morals and ethics.

People must be knowledgeable of various aspects in life in order to be held accountable for their

actions. In my lifetime I have seen many people not held accountable because of their lack of

intelligence. In fact a male I attended high school with was not held accountable for killing his
 8 Candace Washington - CRIM4200001: Ethics in Criminal Justice - Dr. Tucker-Gail - 9.15.11 & 11.17.11

parents because he was mentally ill. He did not have the knowledge and emotions that the

“normal” person has.

Growing up people is put in different situations so that they are able to learn from them.

In the household parent have rules, repercussions, and teach their children how to survive in

society. In school teachers have consequences, rules and regulations that help develop students

to be good citizens. In both situations the parents and the teachers are giving the students

knowledge to help their values, ethics, and morals.

I have been raised in a religious household. My morals and ethics are driven from my

religious beliefs. The manner in which I am portrayed in school, at work, and throughout life

has derived from my Christian beliefs. This is the knowledge that I have been given; therefore I

base my morals from this knowledge. I plan to be a hard worker in my future career. I will be

fair and just in my field of work. It is the only way I know how to be. Being honest is the way that

I was raised. My beliefs are similar to Socrates and Plato who states, “Knowledge and

reasoning are critical attributes in guiding the behavior of an individual.” I am using all of the

knowledge and morals that have been instilled in me in order to better my future and all of my

life endeavors.

Final thoughts and conclusion

This assignment related to our class because it helped understand how moral dilemmas

can occur at any time in our life; especially in the workplace. For my future career endeavors I

plan on working in a Criminal Justice field. Whether I am employed as a lawyer, judge, police

officer, or any other position relating to criminal justice I am sure I will have my morals tested.
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As an employee we must realize that every decision we make will not always be a decision that

was taught to us on the job or throughout our education. There will be instances in which we

must use our morals and better judgments. In my scenario I could have gotten away with letting

my friends steal from the store. However, my moral beliefs and my values prevented me from

doing so. Although it was a possibility that my friends could have gotten away with the crime,

there was still a chance that they could have been caught. The negative outcomes outweigh the

positive outcomes. Majority of society knows the difference between right and wrong. It is

important that we use our past experiences to help us move forward in life.

References

Goal #1 To know about the terms associated with ethics. Retrieved September 11, 2011 from
2011:4 Fall, CRIM4200:001 Ethics in Criminal Justice
http://blackboard.utdl.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2
Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_172
25_1%26url%3D

Goal #2 To know about psychological theories of moral development. Retrieved September

Goal #3 To know about ethics, behavior and criminality. Retrieved September 10, 2011 from
2011:4 Fall, CRIM4200:001 Ethics in Criminal Justice
http://blackboard.utdl.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2
Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_172
25_1%26url%3D

Goal #4 To know about legal concepts of ethics. Retrieved September 10, 2011 from 2011:4
Fall, CRIM4200:001 Ethics in Criminal Justice
http://blackboard.utdl.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2
Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_172
25_1%26url%3D
10 Candace Washington - CRIM4200001: Ethics in Criminal Justice - Dr. Tucker-Gail - 9.15.11 & 11.17.11