Ethics and Morals|Course hero helper
Posted: February 15th, 2023
Supporting Lectures:
- Ethics and Morals
- Ethical Systems
You are a patrol officer in a state that prohibits the selling, giving, or sharing of any tobacco products with anyone younger than 18 years of age. Similarly, there is also a prohibition of selling, giving, or sharing any alcohol or alcoholic beverages with anyone younger than 21 years of age.
On your day off, you and several members of your shift have been invited to your sergeant’s home for a cookout. While standing around with the sergeant and a couple of your shift members, the sergeant’s daughter asks her father if he has any cigarettes. He hands her a pack of cigarettes out of his shirt pocket. Later, you notice the daughter and one of her friends sitting off to the side and both of them are drinking beers from cans. You know from a prior introduction that the daughter is 16 years old. Her friend looks to be the same age.
Analyze this situation and prepare a report that covers the following points:
- Discuss all of your options in this scenario. Show how each option has a basis in an ethical system.
- Provide background information from your home state regarding the behaviors described in the scenario. What do your state’s laws say about providing tobacco or alcohol to a minor?
- Identify the utilitarian and deontological ethical philosophies of each option.
- Describe what your response would be. Explain how your response would hold up if questioned by your captain.
Submit your response in a 4–6-page Microsoft Word document
SOLUTION
Introduction:
As a patrol officer, one must be aware of their responsibilities towards enforcing the law, including the prohibition of providing tobacco or alcohol to minors. This scenario presents a complex situation where the sergeant’s daughter and her friend, both underage, are consuming alcohol and cigarettes provided by the sergeant himself. This report analyzes the scenario, presents options based on ethical systems, and provides information on state laws.
Options in the Scenario:
- Ignore the situation: One option would be to ignore the situation and not take any action. This option is based on ethical relativism, where there are no absolute moral values and beliefs, and the decision is based on individual opinion. Here, the officer may choose to overlook the situation based on their personal beliefs, but this would violate the law.
- Report the incident to the captain: The officer could report the incident to their captain, which is based on the deontological ethical philosophy. This philosophy asserts that individuals should adhere to their duty or obligation, regardless of the consequences. The officer has a duty to enforce the law and protect minors from alcohol and tobacco consumption. Reporting the incident would ensure that the captain takes the necessary action to uphold the law.
- Confront the sergeant and the minors: Another option would be to confront the sergeant and the minors and seize the alcohol and cigarettes. This option is based on the virtue ethics system that emphasizes personal character and values. The officer may feel a moral responsibility to
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