What would be the reasonable options in the following scenario? Which would utility say is the best choice, spelling out the consequences to show why? Is the answer proposed by utilitarianism, the morally correct choice?
Imagine you are the loss prevention officer at a Walmart store. Your job is to stop shoplifters, and protect the company’s interests. While patrolling the store you see a family of three, mother, father and young teenage daughter (13-15), enter the store. The daughter says something to her parents and goes off to the pharmacy/cosmetics section by herself.
A minute or two later as you walk past one of the aisles you see the daughter take something off the shelf, stuff it into her jacket, and quickly walk back to rejoin her parents. It is obvious she intends to shoplift the item. You then walk down the aisle to the shelf where she took the item to see exactly what it was. When you get there, you see that she picked up an Early Pregnancy Test.
Full Answer Section
Confronting the Daughter:
Potential Consequences:
- Embarrassment and humiliation for the daughter in front of her parents
- Possible damage to the daughter's relationship with her parents
- Increased stress and anxiety for the daughter, especially if she is already struggling with the emotional burden of an unplanned pregnancy
- Potential for the daughter to lash out or become defensive, leading to a more confrontational situation
Not Confronting the Daughter:
Potential Consequences:
- Loss of revenue for the store from the stolen item
- Reinforcement of the daughter's behavior, potentially leading to more shoplifting in the future
- Missed opportunity to provide support or resources to the daughter if she needs them
Weighing the potential consequences of both options, it becomes clear that confronting the daughter in front of her parents could cause significant emotional harm and could potentially worsen her situation. Not confronting her, while not ideal from a financial standpoint for the store, could minimize emotional distress and allow the daughter to deal with her situation privately.
Therefore, from a utilitarian perspective, the best course of action would be to discreetly follow the daughter to the checkout area and, once she is alone, approach her privately and calmly. The loss prevention officer could explain that they saw her shoplifting and offer her support and resources if she needs them. They could also emphasize the importance of honesty and responsibility and encourage her to return the item.
This approach would prioritize the daughter's well-being while also addressing the store's concerns about shoplifting. It would demonstrate empathy and understanding while upholding the store's policies and preventing further loss.
Sample Answer
In the scenario you've described, the loss prevention officer is faced with a complex ethical dilemma. On the one hand, it is their job to prevent shoplifting and protect the company's interests. On the other hand, they are also dealing with a sensitive situation involving a young woman's potential pregnancy and the potential emotional and psychological impact of confronting her in front of her parents.
From a utilitarian perspective, the best course of action would be to prioritize the overall well-being of all parties involved. This could involve considering the potential consequences of both confronting the daughter and not confronting her.