Thinking through an ethical dilemma where should Ephram be that night
Ephram Hutte is the head chef of Paris de Monde whose primary duty is to maintain and preserve the high standards of the restaurant which has gained an excellent reputation for over five years. It meant producing excellent meal at all cost no matter what the condition is. Unfortunately, he is faced with an ethical dilemma should he attend his daughters university graduation or should he work that evening to ensure that the restaurant he works for maintain its national reputation for quality food
25 per cent of the restaurants success depends upon the ratings of trade magazines which include Top Scoff, a premier Australian magazine that sells 150,000 copies annually. One of Ephrams friend gave him a tip that a representative from the said magazine company will make an unannounced visit to the restaurant in preparation for next years review edition. This implies that he should prepare an excellent meal which will once again put the restaurants position at the top most level. He alone has the capacity to do so because the assistant chef, who is also the owners son, has just recently entered the business and is still unfamiliar with French cuisines. Unluckily, this event will coincide with his daughters graduation whose educational struggle has also been the familys greatest endeavor. Briggite, her daughter, has suffered from polio during her childhood years which caused a physical disability on her part. It made her social interactions very limited which resulted to her losing her self-esteem and self-confidence. In the process he quit school at age 15. Fortunately time and full support offered by her parents helped her to pursue her studies and eventually graduate with honors from a university. Seeing her supportive parents in front of her graduation is believed to be the final step necessary to complete her lost self esteem and self confidence but not being able to share this success with her parents may trigger a relapse and undo everything that they have worked hard for. Ephram is now left in the middle. Where does his loyalty lie What is more important to him What ethical principle should he adhere to in addressing this conflict
Ethics is a discipline which consists of the examinations and evaluations of actions, social practices, institutions, and systems so we can determine the reasons for considering them as either good or bad (Duska, 2007, p. 3). It involves moral beliefs, a judgment about whether certain human actions, practice, institutions, or systems are right or wrong, which will definitely lead to an action, an activity or behavior that is deliberate resulting from careful consideration and performed by choice (Duska, 2007, p.4). Examination of actions will include answering several questions like Is the action good for me Is the action fair or just Have I made commitment, implied or Explicit (Duska, 2007, pp 18-25). Nevertheless, this methodology will only apply to clear cut cases and Ephrams case does not fall on this category. We need additional aid in trying to address his situation.
Ethical theories arise in order to resolve ethical dilemmas which include the case of Ephram. An ethical theory prescribes a principles that is to be given priority as the ultimate justifying reason for pursuing any course of action ( Duska, 2007, p.21). Since it is hard to weigh the consequences involved in the two choices it is inevitable to seek parameters which can further narrow our evaluation. There are four main ethical principles which could aid as in our ethical reasoning namely the Golden Rule, Virtuous Ethics, Utilitarianism and Universal Ethics or Kantian Ethics.
The Golden Rule rests on the principle that you should not do unto others what you dont want others do unto you (Ghillyer, 2008, p.7). It has other variations depending on the religious denomination one belongs to but ultimately it rests on the idea that you should treat others as you would also want them to treat you. Unfortunately, this principle will not aid us very much with the case of Ephram. Ephram would want to be given the freedom to attend to both obligations but that is impossible and no one can offer solution that will provide similar results. Moreover, deciding on how you want others treat you is very subjective and may lack a strong justification power.
Virtuous Ethics on the other hand is the concept of living your life according to the commitment to the achievement of a clear ideal which pertains to what sort of person you would like to become and how to go about becoming that person ( Ghillyer, 2008, p. 7). This ethical theory is grounded on the an ancient Greek principle that everyone should fulfill its potential fulfill all that he could be ( Duska, 2007, p. 37). It rests on the acquisition of the excellent virtues through the formation of habit within the individual which will also aid us achieving our fullest potential. Such as knifes goal is to cut and this is best achieved by attaining the quality of being sharp, virtues like courage, wisdom, and temperance are major virtues that should be present to an individual as well for only in the acquisition of these virtues can he decide right actions. Nevertheless deciding what type of virtues to utilize in fulfilling ones desired goal in life poses a new problem.
There is another alternative which is provided by William Shaw in the presentation of this ethical dilemma which will readily be unacceptable by virtuous ethics. This includes pretending not to know that there will be an unannounced visit from Top Scoff and lying to his employer. Such an act will not be permissible in virtuous ethics because dishonesty is not a virtuous act and goes against excellence. Supporters of virtuous ethics only adhere to positive virtues and make no room for vices and dishonesty.
Man has different goals in life and he is also capable in achieving several potentialities. Ephram has a goal as a chef and that is to maintain the reputation of the restaurant which he himself has helped in achieving but he also has a goal of becoming the supportive father towards her physically disabled daughter. He has both commitments which he is obligated to fulfill towards both party. So it seems to me that Virtuous Ethics alone would not be the formula we are seeking to help us in addressing this ethical dilemma.
Utilitarianism is the ethical principle which is made famous by John Stuart Mill and gives priority to the concern for others and maintains that actions should be done which brings about the greatest good for the greatest number of people (Duska, 2007, p. 21). Business is an institution which provides goals and services for society. If we will consider utilitarianism as our ground for making an ethical decision regarding this matter then it will clearly state that Ephram should go to the restaurant and perform his responsibility as a chef. Furthermore, non-appearance would mean a decline on the restaurants rating and position in the French cuisine industry. It means a lower rating of profit for the coming year which may eventually lead to some employees being laid-off especially if the restaurants regular customers will believe the recommendation of Top Scoff. More people will be affected if he fails to show-up on that specific night. Apparently, utilitarianism will favor over Ephram going to the restaurant and fulfill his duty because it will benefit the majority.
Universal Ethics or Deontological Ethics rests on the principle of duty and the categorical imperatives. These are actions which are taken out of duty and a moral obligation to a purely moral ideal rather than based on the needs of the situation, since the universal principles are seen to apply to everyone, everywhere, all the time (Ghillyer, 2008, p. 8). When Ephram took the job as a chef, he promised to do and fulfill all the responsibilities which pertains to this job and puts him under the obligation to fulfill it by all means even if it meant sacrificing his own personal wants and desires. He was hired by the employer because he believes that he is a true professional and will put his professional obligation in priority no matter what in support of philosophical ideas which pertains to fairness, rights and commitment. Aside from this responsibility, being the main chef of the restaurant puts him in an administrative position to carry out fiduciary responsibilities towards his subordinates. He has the implied responsibility of becoming a model that his subordinates will look up to thus no flaw in his professional character should be seen. These are the obligations which he accepted when he entered the job as a master chef. On the contrary, he also has an implied obligation towards his daughter. He has a natural obligation to provide her with everything she needs so she may have a fruitful and meaningful life in the future. This is the duty of a responsible father.
It seems to me that after a careful analysis of all four ethical principles we are still left with no clear decision regarding this matter. We are left on our own to decide which duty weighs more duty towards your employer or duty towards your daughter. We are left on our own to decide what counts as our clear ideal to become a highly respected chef or to become a responsible and supportive father. In cases where even ethical principles fail to provide us with a clear cut solution to the ethical dilemma, where do we turn to
Ethical reasoning is influenced by several factors. It is influenced by family orientation, culture, nationality and even our gender. What makes ethics complicated is it cannot be politically mandated and most of the time the decision is left on the individual alone ( Huntsman, 2005, p.24). Ultimately, we will not go to the letters inscribed on these ethical principles but look deep within our selves so we can define our priorities in life. What are the realistic consequences if Ephram will not attend the graduation of his daughter His daughter may indeed suffer a relapse and this may result to additional stress on his part. Instead of perceiving his job as a chef as a tool in providing his family his needs and happiness, he may start hating it. He may even end up hating and blaming himself which will not be very beneficial for the company in the long run.
One reason why business ethics is discussed in the academe is the belief that it has individual and social benefits. Some of this benefits include (1) long term profits (2) personal integrity and satisfaction for the management (3) honesty and loyalty from the employees (4) confidence and satisfaction from the customers ( Duska, 2007, p. 9). The way an employee views himself is vital to the organization to whom he is working for. A happy worker produces satisfactory product and services but a discontented and unhappy one will produce the opposite. I have reasons to believe that one of the reason why Ephram is doing great in the food and culinary is because he finds fulfillment in it. He sees himself growing together with the company because it not only supports his personal endeavors but his social needs as well. The moment he views work as a form of mechanism to provide only his monetary needs and deprive him personal fulfillment both as a father and a chef it will be the end of his career. This is the possible consequence if he will not attend his daughters graduation.
On the contrary, if he does attend the graduation of his daughter and his employer fails to realize and fully understand the ethical dilemma which he went through and fires him he is still left with his dream of achieving greatness in the becoming a chef. He can definitely become a chef in another restaurant and can start from scratch once again. He still has all the motivation and inspiration to fulfill his dream because he will never have to face his conscience every night and convince it that choosing his daughter over his job is more important. In fulfilling his duty as a father, he saves himself from the burden of facing his family especially his daughter everyday. It will never be a loss on his part but a loss for the company.
John Stuar Mill stated that humans are motivated by self-interest and it is this self-interest which will make commerce flourish ( Duska, 2007, p. 10). Egoism is the principle which gives priority to the self (Duska, 2007, p. 21). This principle is often misunderstood because others believe it is an abuse of ones freedom but if coupled with justifiable ethical principle like universal ethics and virtuous ethics it can be a theory which we can hold on to. We carry within our DNA structure animalistic instincts. We are acting hypocritically if we say that we do are not motivated by personal wants and desires. A deeper contemplation of our self will make us realize that most, if not all of our actions are driven by selfish interests. Ephram finds fulfillment in being a chef and in order to experience this he needs to give way to his daughters personal need. He needs to go to her graduation. Let us not forget that motive for action is not synonymous to purpose of action. As Duska implied, I may give money to charity for the purpose of aiding the poor but my motive for doing so may be simply to impress my friends ( Duska, 2007, p.10). Ephram in like manner may go to Briggites graduation for the purpose of giving her the last push of support which she needs to continue with life but his ultimate purpose is to free himself from the burden that he placed his family on second priority which will eventually affect his work performance.
Professional duty does clash with personal duty at times but we should bear in mind that at the end of the day the only boss we will address to is our self. Did we satisfy it Did we give it the opportunity it needed to grow and reach its utmost potential Did we remain true to our commitment of reaching excellence We hold the answer but the quest of reaching the answer is indeed very difficult because it means letting go on some of the conveniences in life. We have within us a moral compass which can validate our decisions and hopefully we do not deceive our own self in the end.
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