Ethics and Moral Development
Reflect upon ethical dilemmas you may have encountered in an organization you are or have been with
or that is currently in the news. Also, familiarize yourself with Kohlberg�s stages of moral development.
For your initial post, address the following:
� Describe the ethical dilemma.
� Which of Kohlberg�s stages of moral development is represented in your example? Be sure to justify
your reasoning for your choice. Do you think that one of the other theories of moral development better
describes your example? Why?
Postulate the (hypothetical or real) best- and worst-case outcomes of this dilemma as you see them.
ETHICS AND MORAL DEVELOPMENT 3
Ethics and Moral Development
Ethics refers to standards well-grounded on right and wrong. It relates to a set of
behaviour that humans ought to do regarding rights obligations, fairness and the general
benefit to society. Ethical dilemmas refer to situations one is pinned down in making a choice
between two options that don’t entirely resolve the situation in an ethical manner.
The best example of moral dilemma can be clearly explained using El Chapo’s
(Joaquin Guzman) story. El Chapo got arrested for violating drug trafficking laws in Mexico
and escaping maximum security prisons twice (Killen & Smetana, 2014). Though
government officials and the international community want him jailed, folks back at Mexico
consider him a hero. He has transformed his community by paving roads, creating job
opportunities and maintaining peace. This dilemma poses a serious question on whether to
jail him for drug trafficking, or acquit him for his good deeds to the society (Shaw, 2014).
Kohlberg’s stage two; Instrument and relativity can be argued out in the defence of El
Chapo to exonerate him. He can manipulate the public to rally support for him for his good
deeds. Another stage of Kohlberg’s moral development that can be applied is law and order.
El Chapo’s capture is rightful since he broke the law. Social Contract can also be
implemented to give the government the power to keep him behind bars since the government
is viewed as a legal authority and not a moral one (Killen & Smetana, 2014).
In consideration of the above analysis, the dilemma created can swing both ways
depending on who has a more dominant power. Law and order eventually did carry the day
since no one is above the law. El Chapo, in the end, got jailed. Solving ethical dilemmas don’t
guarantee a winning result for the party involved.
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References
Killen, M., & Smetana, J. G. (2014). Handbook of moral development. New York:
Psychology Press.
Shaw, W. H. (2014). Business ethics. Boston, MA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
