Exploring Ethical Frameworks

Individual Activity​ (50 points)

Name: Bailey Baughn

Case Study Title: Case Study #7 Party Animals

Directions:​ Using the ethics case study you’ve selected or been given, discuss and
answer the following questions to the best of your ability.

Step One: Identify the Issue

1. What is the dilemma/problem to be solved in this case and ultimately, what is the
key decision that must be made? Write this so that a “stranger” could readily understand
the dilemma. Include enough detail to make sure the dilemma is clearly defined and
include the key decision written in the form of a question.

Josh has a few friends over while his parents are away. His friends suggest that they
invite a few more friends over. More and more friends of friends continue to show up at
Josh's house. Before Josh knows it, there are drugs and alcohol, people are breaking
things, blaring loud music, and destroying his parents house. It gets way out of hand. Josh
wants to be popular and fit in by having this party but he also does not want to get in
trouble with his parents and the police. Should Josh be the buzzkill of the party or
continue to let people do whatever they please until the night is over or the party is
busted?

2. Who are the stakeholders in this dilemma? (​Note:​ Stakeholders are ​any individuals,
written about in the case or not​, who may be affected by the decisions that are made;
check the column that fits.)

Also
STAKEHOLDER In the Case possibly
affected
1. Josh X X
2. Josh's Parents X X
3. Josh's Friends X X
4. Police X X
5. Friend's Parents X
6. Friends of Friends X X
7. Friends of Friends
X
Parents
8. Neighbors X X
9.
10.

Step Two: Outline the Options

3. Consider ​as many ways​ to resolve this dilemma ​as possible​ and list them below. It’s
likely that you will want to “solve” the problem, but this step asks you to ​extend your
thinking​ beyond your initial reaction.
(​Note:​ Step Four, Question 6 asks that you return to this question to label the frameworks
associated with the possible resolutions.)
Ethical Framework ​(see Step Four,
Options for Resolving Dilemma
Question 6)
Josh becomes the "killjoy" and breaks up
the party. Moral Rights

Josh gets his friends to tell their friends

that the party is over and it's time to leave. Moral Rights

Josh calls his parents and informs them

what is going on and to come home before
Utilitarian
they find out themselves and something
bad happens.
Josh wants to fit in and be popular with the
ladies so he just let's the party continue
because all young adults and teens think Practical
"nothing bad will happen to me anyway".

The neighbors hear the music blaring and

the drunk kids screaming and yelling so
they call the police and the party gets Justice
busted.

Josh politely suggests that everyone leaves

because it is getting way out of hand. No
one listens and everyone continues to party
so Josh anonymously calls the police Justice
stating people are being destructive and on
his property and will not leave.
Step Three: Gather Evidence/Interview Others

4. Using the key dilemma posed in Step One, interview 10 people on how they would
resolve the problem and why. (​Note:​ As interviewer, please do not share your thoughts
on how ​you​ would resolve the problem.) ​ Use the table located on page 6 of this
worksheet to record their responses.

Step Four: Construct Ethical Arguments

5. Practice using the four ethical frameworks we have examined in class (utilitarian,
moral rights, justice, and practical) and list one resolution for each framework and
explain why it fits there.
If you follow this rule when faced
You will make a decision based on…
with a dilemma…
the greatest good for the greatest
utilitarian
number (or the least harm to others)
the way you would want to be
moral rights
treated
what is fair and equal for all
justice
involved
whether or not the “typical person”
practical would find your decision to be
acceptable

a.​ ​utilitarian:

Why does this fit the ​utilitarian​ framework?

This fits into the utilitarian framework because it allows Josh to be honest with his
parents what is actually going on before they find out from the police. Josh is going to get
into less trouble if he calls his parents while he can before something bad occurs. Also,
this way if he tells his parents his parents are likely to come home early to the party, so
Josh won't be the "killjoy", the party will end because "Josh's parents came home early".
Josh won't take the blame for the party being over and his parents won't be as upset with
him because he was honest and called them.

​b.​ ​moral rights:

Why does this fit the m ​ oral rights​ framework?

This fits into the moral rights framework because Josh will make a decision based on
how he would want to be treated. So if Josh lets all his close friends know that they need
to tell their friends to tell their friends they need to go before the cops are called this is a
fair warning and keeps everyone out of trouble. Josh won't be the killjoy and being
politely asked to leave by friends will make it easier for friends of friends to listen and
leave. Everyone is civil.

c.​ ​justice:

Why does this fit the j​ ustice​ framework?

This fits into the justice framework because Josh's decision could be based on being fair
and equal. If Josh politely asks people to leave and no one listens to him at this point they
are trespassing on his and his parents property and being destructive. Josh can call the
police and Josh can explain that they were uninvited by him personally and that they
were all asked to leave. This way everyone is getting the punishment they deserve when
the police get involved.
d.​ ​practical:

Why does this fit the p​ ractical​ framework?

This fits into the practical framework because most young adults/teens think that nothing
will ever happen to them anyway, "my party won't get busted", or they want to fit in to be
the "cool" person. Josh could be like everyone else and let the party slide. He wants to be
popular with the ladies so he let's the party continue thinking that nothing bad will
happen and he can fix everything in the morning.

6. Now, go back to your interviews with others ​and ​your own options to solve the
dilemma (see question #3) and label each with the appropriate ethical framework.

Step Five: Evaluate the Arguments

7. Reviewing the responses from the individuals interviewed in Step Three as well as
your own options to solve the dilemma, consider how stakeholders you have identified in
the case might best benefit. Then, rank the frameworks below according to their
perceived merit, with “1” being the highest ranking. (​Note:​ Often we “stick” to our first
thoughts on how we would resolve the dilemma; this step asks that you ​expand your
thinking to be more inclusive of others’ perspectives​ when ranking the frameworks.)

#1 Moral Rights framework

#2 Justice framework

#3 Utilitarian framework

#4 Practical framework

Step Six: Make a Decision/ Evaluate the Impact

8. Considering all the possible outcomes that you and those you have interviewed have
associated with each ethical framework, make a decision on how you would resolve the
case.
I would do what a lot of people including myself came up with, I would say that the cops
are coming and if no one leaves and follows orders I would actually call the police to
break up the party.

9. Explain ​in some detail​ why you made your decision.

At this point with people destroying things on my property that is destruction and it
would also be my fault if something serious were to happen to someone on my property.
Plus, I would be in huge trouble with my parents. I want to keep myself and everyone
else safe and out of harm's way.

10. Explain how ​each​ of the stakeholders you listed in Question #2 might be affected by
your decision.
STAKEHOLDER How might they be affected?
Josh will still be in trouble but in not as
much trouble because he came clean and
called the police for his own good. He
may still be not allowed to stay home
alone anymore while his parents leave on
1. Josh vacation. There may still be some kind of
consequence for Josh, but his friends
won't know that he was actually the one
who called the cops so as far as they
know he isn't the "killjoy".

They will have to come home early if the

2. Josh's Parents
3. Josh's Friends
cops are called. Their house will be
destroyed. They are going to probably be
very upset and not trust Josh to stay home
alone again.
They're going to be in trouble for inviting
all their friends. Josh may be upset at
them. Depending on whether they were
into the drugs and alcohol they could get
citations. Or if they were involved in
damages they could be charged for
vandalism.

Police will come and find drugs and

alcohol. They will issue citations if
4. Police
necessary and any other charges.

Parent's may have to come pick their kids

5. Friends Parents
6. Friends of Friends
7. Friends of Friends Parents
up from the party. They will be upset.
Depending on whether they were into the
drugs and alcohol they could get citations.
Or if they were involved in damages they
could be charged for vandalism.
Parent's may have to come pick their kids
up from the party. They will be upset.

They will be upset and likely to call the

8. Neighbors cops themselves for the out of control
party and disturbing the neighborhood.
9.
10.
 Which ethical
What would they
Person Why? framework did
do?
they use?
Because he doesn't
want them there
anymore, it is
1 Riley Riley would tell getting way out of
everyone to leave. control, and he Moral Rights
does not want to
get the police
involved.

Lisa would blame

the party being
over on someone or
Because this way
something else. For
no one is really at
example by saying,
fault. Josh isn't
"Someone just
considered the
2 Lisa caught word of this Utilitarian
killjoy and it's not
party and the cops
his fault the party is
are being called,
ending. No one is
everyone needs to
blamed.
get out immediately
before we are all
caught!"

Because at this
3 Jeff Justice
Jeff would sneak point Josh is a
 into another room hostage in his own
and call the police. house. He needs to
get rid of all the
people asap. His
family's privacy
and belongings are
getting destroyed.
Because by fibbing
and saying that the
Angelica would tell cops were called is
everyone that the a fair chance for
cops were called everyone to ditch
and on their way the party
but not actually call immediately. If
4 Angelica Justice
the cops. If the people aren't
people still stay and listening then they
aren't leaving then obviously don't
actually call the care about the cops
cops. coming and they
were already given
a fair warning.
Brittney would call
the police Because if the party
anonymously and keeps continuing
5 Brittney
tell them there's an more items could
Moral Rights
out of control party be broken and
that needs to be people could get
broken up. hurt.

Because you want

Chloe would keep to be popular and
partying and fit in. Throwing
6 Chloe Practical
making friends. one crazy party
isn't going to ruin
your whole life.
Because it's
important to be
Denise would call
honest and admit
the parents and the
7 Denise you messed up by Moral Rights
police and come
even letting a
clean.
couple friends
come over.
8 Faith Faith would kick Because who cares
them out on your what people think. Moral Rights
own. This is your parents
 house that you are
letting these people
destroy. You're not
being at fault for all
the possible things
that could happen.
Because now an
Madyson would adult is in charge
leave the party and and they're more
9 Madyson go get a close likely to listen to
neighbor the adult. Also this Utilitarian
friend/adult to way the cops don't
break up the party. have to be involved
and everyone is
civil.
Because once the
Cameron would owners of the
call his parents and house and Josh's
tell them to please parents get home
come home as soon they can decide
10 Cameron Justice
as possible whether they want
depending on to get the cops
where they are. involved or deal
with peoples
parents first.