**Summary**
The author shares two ethical dilemmas presented by readers. In the first scenario, a person had their stolen mountain bike returned after offering a “no questions asked” reward. The author deliberates on the merits of honoring such rewards and argues against promoting petty theft. In the second scenario, the author discusses the ethical position of a friend who photoshopped their ID card to appear younger, leading to professional success in the opera industry. While acknowledging the potential benefits of combating age prejudice, the author criticizes the deception involved in the act.
**Additional Piece**
In both of these ethical dilemmas, there are conflicting perspectives on how to navigate the situations. The opposing viewpoints highlight the complexity of ethical decision-making and the lack of a definitive answer in many cases.
In the case of the stolen mountain bike, the practice of offering a “no questions asked” reward is seen as a way to incentivize thieves to return stolen property without the fear of punishment. However, this practice can also inadvertently promote theft by creating an expectation of monetary reward. The author argues that people should not have to pay others to do what they are supposed to do anyway, suggesting that the thief should have returned the bike without expecting payment.
On the other hand, some may argue that honoring the reward is a way to encourage honesty and the return of stolen property. By offering a reward, the victim demonstrates their willingness to negotiate and resolve the situation peacefully. It can be seen as a form of restorative justice, where both parties benefit from the return of the stolen item and the thief receives compensation for their troubles.
Turning to the second ethical dilemma involving the photoshopped ID card, it is clear that age discrimination exists in the opera industry and can prevent talented individuals from getting the recognition they deserve. While the friend’s actions may have helped challenge these biases and ultimately led to professional success, the act of deception cannot be dismissed easily.
Honesty and transparency are fundamental principles in building trust and maintaining ethical conduct. By falsifying the ID card, the friend started their relationship with opera companies on a lie, which could have repercussions for their reputation and future opportunities. It is important to consider the long-term consequences of such actions and whether the ends justify the means.
Ultimately, ethical decision-making requires careful consideration of multiple perspectives, weighing the potential benefits and harms, and adhering to core principles of honesty, transparency, and accountability. It is not always easy to navigate these complex situations, but by engaging in thoughtful discussions and seeking a balance between competing interests, we can strive to make ethical choices that uphold integrity and fairness.
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My 25 year old son was using my mountain bike for his lawn mowing business when it was stolen. He felt bad; I felt angry. I put up an ad: “Mountain bike stolen. $500 reward. No questions were asked.” To my surprise, I got a response from someone and we set a time to meet. Then I got worried that I was being tricked into being robbed. So I called my son. Next thing I knew there were six burly 20-somethings escorting me in my minivan.At the agreed meeting point,the guy turned up with my bike in hand.I got off,then the six big guys got off,and as I was checking the bike out,they said,in no uncertain terms,that it wasn’t necessary for me to pay for the bike. The guy looked scared and I wanted things to end safely so I removed half the stack. “How about $250?” The guy took the money and ran off. Should I have given you the original amount, or do I owe you nothing? — Name withheld
From the ethical:
The practice of offering “no questions asked” rewards can be helpful. Victims get their property back for less than it would cost to buy replacements. Thieves get some money and pay no fines, while simply putting the products on the market can put them at risk of exposure and punishment. Win win! That is the argument for honoring the practice.
On the other hand, the practice itself can promote petty theft. An opportunistic thief may think: Hey, maybe they’ll offer me a “no questions asked” reward. This is why many governments are reluctant to pay kidnappers, leery of encouraging more of the same. The stakes are much lower in cases like yours, but the same logic argues against honoring the practice. (It is also relevant that, according to his account, his six-man soccer team was not threatening violence; he was called in to prevent it.)
Note that these arguments are not about the rights and wrongs of a particular case. It is about the merits of having a rule, a rule that says you will respect this practice or not. So-called rule utilitarians think that you should commit to the rule that would have the best overall results if everyone followed it. But how are we to know what rule that would be?
My own way of thinking on the matter is simpler: you shouldn’t have to pay people to do what they’re supposed to do anyway. Because this person should never have put you in the situation that led to his offer, he would have had no reason to object if you decided not to honor the agreement. I would have been free, in my opinion, not to give this guy anything.
one additional question
A dear friend of mine is an opera singer. He is over 50 years old. He asked me to Photoshop his ID card so it would say he was 20 years younger. He said that he asked me to do this because his age prevents him from getting auditions. She did as she asked, and was subsequently called up for auditions and finally hired for important opera roles in Italy. That means she was good and fit for the parts. I feel like a bug has been corrected and a bias resolved, even though I technically broke the law. What is her ethical position on this? Name withheld
From the ethical:
In fact, it may have helped combat the effects of prejudice. Opera companies shouldn’t have stopped her from auditioning because of his age. Magnificent singers like Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Joan Sutherland, and Leontyne Price performed in operas well into their 50s. However, the fact remains that you wrongly instigated a hoax.
Perhaps the deception was not a terrible evil; she was clearly up to the job. But I’m also a bit surprised that someone would want to start their relationship with an opera company with a lie. It would have been apparent as soon as he arrived that he had misrepresented her age. Since she was hired, the opera companies may have simply been more concerned with her range than her veracity.
readers respond
The question in the previous column was from a reader with a friend stuck in a nursing home under a guardianship agreement. That person wrote: “She is already 100 years old, blind and lying in bed 24 hours, except when I visit her and take her to the patio in a wheelchair. She is in an unknown place and she hears screaming, crying and cursing all night from other patients. She is relatively lucid despite the circumstances, and the only thing that keeps her alive is the hope that she will soon be able to return to her small studio apartment, a place where she has lived for 50 years. She has said that she wants to die if she can’t come home. … My question to you is: Am I telling you the truth, that she will never go home?
In his response, the ethicist noted: “There may be an institutional temptation to keep it in the dark to make it easier to manage. But it is his life. You have the right to know as much as you can understand about what is happening to you and the right to respond accordingly. First though, make sure you’ve exhausted your options. You can try to relay your concerns to a long-term care ombudsman, who, under federal law, acts as an advocate for residents. …However, his options and yours are woefully limited. There is a need for systemic reform here.” (Reread the full question and answer here.)
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If the woman’s friend stuck in a nursing home tell him he’s never coming home? My answer is no. We never know for sure what could happen (and it would break her heart). Instead, she would offer empathy for her desire, and you could see if there is a way to get her to listen to music so that she feels somewhere else. – Elena
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It’s horrible to learn that a lucid person afflicted only by old age and some physical limitations can be imprisoned by the current system. Her freedom has been stripped from her by rules that should be legally bound to take her wishes into account and help her. This is heartbreaking and unfair. There must be a better way. — Suzanne
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As a hospice physician, I often find myself in situations like this. It’s hard to imagine your friend coming home alone, even in the best of situations. His incapacity (a medical call) and his incompetence (a judicial call) were probably not taken lightly. Tell the truth once or twice; but if you find out that she doesn’t remember previous conversations, she wouldn’t do it again and again. — Alexandra
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i am extremely familiar with this situation having worked in Adult Protective services for almost 20 years. Why is this woman in bed 24 hours a day? Just because she’s blind, or because it’s a lower facility? The writer should consider contacting the nursing home ombudsman. I wish they could advocate for the woman. Maybe another facility would be better. – Funny
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sometimes it’s important to keep hope alive, instead of crushing it with the brutal truth. Obviously, this woman can’t go home, but can’t she be told that she is doing everything possible to protect her dignity? Can’t she bring objects from her apartment to make her feel more at home: photos, memorabilia, a favorite chair? There is a middle way between hiding the harsh truth and being devastating with it. – Ana
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