STUDENT NAME

1 Ethical Dilemmas in Personal Relationships

Michael had several friends including Roger and Daniel. Roger has recently
met and started dating a wonderful lady named Phyllis. He is convinced this is
a long term relationship. Unknown to Roger, Michael observed them at a
restaurant several days ago and realized Phyllis is the wife of his other friend
Daniel. Michael is deciding whether to tell Roger that Phyllis is married when
he receives a call from Daniel.
Daniel suspects his wife is having an affair. Since Daniel and his wife share
many friends and contacts with Michael, Daniel asks if Michael has heard
anything regarding an affair.
What should Michael do in this ethical dilemma? To whom does Michael owe
a greater friendship or loyalty in this situation?
b Should Michael reveal to Roger that Phyllis is married?
Should Michael tell Daniel what he knows about Roger and Phyllis? Does that
fact that Daniel asked him a direct question have an impact on what Michael
c should do?
Should Michael speak up to both Daniel and Roger? Does he remain silent and
d hope his knowledge is never discovered?

2 Life or Death Impact

Consider a situation in which a group of people are enjoying an outdoor
adventure together. One person gets stuck in the only way in or out of an
enclosed space, such as a cave. Water starts rising in the cave due to high tide
or heavy rainfall. Everyone will perish if the person isn’t removed from the
entrance. There is no way of removing the person who is stuck so that the
individual will survive. The group has to make an extremely difficult decision.
Do they take an extreme action that will cost one member of the group her life?
Or, do they do nothing, knowing that chances are good that none of them will
survive if that choice of action is taken.
Who would be responsible for making such a decision? Is it different if the
person who is stuck offers to sacrifice herself versus members of the group
a suggesting that she be eliminated?
What are the consequences of facing such an extreme moral dilemma? It is
commonly accepted that killing a person is wrong, but what about when it’s
b done to save others?
What might the consequences be for the survivors if the group chose to kill the
person who is stuck so they might survive? Would there be legal
c consequences? What about guilt?

3 Following the Rules

One of the most important characteristics of an effective leader is treating
people equitably. This involves fairness and consistency, including regards to
applying the rules to everyone equally. What should a coach do when a few
superstar players get caught breaking rules that should lead to their suspension
from the team immediately before a big game that is very important to the
team?
If the star players don’t play, there is a good chance the team will lose. If the
team has to win this game to advance to the championship game, should that
a affect the coach’s decision?
If the coach doesn’t apply appropriate consequences to the actions of the
players who broke the rules, what lesson are those players learning? Will they
b continue to break rules?
What about the other players who do follow the rules. Will they learn that the
c rules are just suggestions and feel like they don’t need to comply in the future?
What if one of the players who broke the rules will miss a chance to be seen by
d professional scouts if he doesn’t play in the game?
What if the team’s school will earn a large amount of money from television
e coverage of the big game if the team goes to the championship?
What if the coach is set to earn a big bonus or significant pay increase if the
f team advances to the championship game?