Ethics in Practice: Whistleblower – An Ethical Dilemma
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Ethics in Practice: Whistleblower – An Ethical Dilemma
Whistleblowing can pose tremendous impacts on the characters perpetrating it despite the fact that most of them usually act on behalf of others or to raise concerns that would have otherwise adversely affected the entire society (Ravishankar, 2003). Dr. Jeffrey Wigand showed moral intelligence in the provided case based on various reasons. Firstly, he proved his concern for the society by whistleblowing the deliberate boosting of nicotine content which would have led to cancer and facilitate addiction. Secondly, Dr. Wigand did not consider the implication of his cause on his self-life, but instead considered that he was helping the users and potential users of cigarettes. Thirdly, his concern was based on social and health grounds and could further have impacted the economy considering the amount of funds required to diagnose and treat cancer.
Ravishankar (2003) provides that the internal whistling in an organization is considered unethical, immoral, or illegal. Hence, this act should be discouraged despite the fact that the whistleblowers’ concerns are usually to rescue others against unfair treatment in an organization. However, Dr. Wigand was morally intelligent considering the potential implications that nicotine would have on people’s health had he not led its ban by whistleblowing against them. Therefore, Dr. Wigand’s whistleblowing created a positive impact on the societal health even though he compromised his economic future as well as coworkers and his family’s security.
I would have also act as a whistleblower had I been in Dr. Wigand’s situation. One reason that would have prompted my action is that health matters concerns everyone in the society and it would affect everyone either directly or indirectly if not intervened. Also, it would be difficult for me to watch the tobacco companies engage in unethical business by boosting the nicotine content to enhance addiction and consequently, improve its sales at the expense of the consumer. Hence, I would have acted like Dr. Wigand for the sake of the societal health and ethicality in business activities.
References
Ravishankar, L. (2003, February 4). Encouraging Internal Whistleblowing in Organizations [Web page]. Retrieved from https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/business-ethics/resources/encouraging-internal-whistleblowing/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
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