Deliberation Overview
This deliberation was begun on Sunday, September 4, 2005
This history was compiled on Sunday, November 22, 2009
Describe the Situation
As I was heading class Friday morning, I noticed one of the custodians cleaning up a huge mess left in the bathroom left over from partying the night before. The job looked horrible and I could tell the custodian was not looking forward to this job. I was already late for class and did not have the chance to say thanks to the custodian. The next week, I noticed that our floor had a different custodian. I asked the new employee what happened to the old employee and he said she had quit because of the lack of respect found in this job. I felt badly, but do I have a responsibility to honor those that work for me, even if they get paid?
Consequences Framework
Chosen standard for evaluating consequences:
Preservation of Community
This standard is most appropriate because:
Living in the Residence Halls is difficult because it is so different from living at home. What allows everyone involved in this community to have a fulfilling experience is for the Hall to have a strong community. Since this issue is a community, the preservation of this community is the standard I will use.
Chosen course of action:
This action fulfills my chosen standard because:
This action is consistent with the expectations of any ethics codes that apply to your situation.
I will NOT be able to do this action.
No, I don't think I will have to time to devote to the cause.
Other alternatives explored using the Consequences Framework:
Duties Framework
I have judged that the most dutiful conduct in my situation is:
The action that would be most dutiful would be to make the custodian feel appreciated at his job. Simply saying thanks might be enough, but the action that would be even more dutiful would be an action that repays the custodian equally for the work he has done. Obviously, he is paid a wage, so I don’t have a duty to show gratitude for all his actions, just enough for what isn’t covered by pay (respect). As such, I have a lot of freedom of choice in what I want to do, be it showing verbal gratitude or organizing some form of recognition. However, I do have a duty to an action that shows the correct amount of Gratitude.
This action is most dutiful because:
This action treats the custodian with respect because he is being shown that his job is valued by everyone. He is treated with respect through being honored through the work he does. This action treats me with respect because it makes me a more moral person through the fulfillment of my duties.
Anyone would be obligated to perform this action because:
W.D. Ross’ duty of Gratitude helped me make this decision. While all the other duties obligated me to do something for the custodian, it was the duty of Gratitude that showed me how much I ought to do. It dictated that I need to show enough Gratitude for what the custodian has done for me.
This alternative is consistent with the expectations of any ethics codes that apply to your situation.
I will be able to do this action.
Ranking of specific duties explored using this framework:
Virtue Framework
An action that will exhibit the most virtuous traits is:
The best course of action would be to show whatever form of appreciation is needed for the custodian to feel appreciated. This shows that I have Kindness, Compassion, and Understanding towards the person who serves me, and it also shows my Knowledge and Wisdom of the custodian so that I can do something that will make him/her feel appreciated. The best thing would be to ensure that I, and my hall mates, try not to make a mess for the custodians and verbally give our thanks to the custodians.
This is the action that an ideally virtuous person would do because:
The virtues of Kindness and Compassion that are taught by Christian virtue ethicists helped me make this decision. We could only have become who we are today if others were to show Kindness and Compassion to us; they are what lets live well, is showing Kindness and Compassion.
This alternative is consistent with the expectations of any ethics codes that apply to your situation.
I will be able to do this action.