Book Opener

steals it. She defends her actions by saying that she needs thebackpack and that Frank can buy another one.Most of us would say that Harriet’s theft is wrong, even though shethought she was right. In fact, most of us would say she is wrong evenif there were no law against theft. How do we make that decision? Oneway is to consider how an action helps or hurts people who are affectedby it. As you will learn later in this chapter, Harriet’s theft is wrongfor two reasons: because it hurt Frank and because it set a bad examplefor others.The Greatest GoodMost people are not hermits; instead, they live and work togetherin society. Because of these relationships, every action has the potentialto affect other people. When a person does something that hurtsinnocent people, many others would judge that person’s action aswrong. Such a decision is based on whether an action will create thegreatest good for the greatest number of people. The more good thatresults, the more ethical the action.Some people see the greatest good principle as a natural way tomake ethical decisions. Others, however, believe it is often misapplied.Example 2. Alame knows that 10 of her 20 classmates cheatedon their last law exam. The teacher mistakenly believes thatonly one innocent student is guilty of cheating. Alame decidesshe will keep silent because doing so will ensure the greatestgood for the greatest numberof people.TAKING ADVANTAGESome people believe thatthey can do as they pleasebecause ethical standardsare flexible and changing.Why would such an attitudecause difficulties in theworld today?Alame has misapplied thegreatest good principle. Herfailure to identify the 10guilty students helps only thecheaters. Alame has also notconsidered the unethicalexample that her decision willset for the whole school orhow the decision may affectthe school’s academic standards.In addition, Alame’sdecision to keep quiet is notfair to the innocent student,who must take the blame forthe guilty parties.Chapter 1: Ethics and the Law 7