Reference no: EM132579862

CRT301 Critical Thinking Assignment - Abu Dhabi University, UAE

Instructions - Provide answers for all the three cases.

Case Study I - Fiona Hill is the Bureau Chief for the "Wired News Service" based in China. She is replacing Bill Jameson, who was the Bureau Chief for the last 5 years. A few months after Fiona starts working in Beijing, she discovers that she is being paid 1/3rd less than Bill - even though she speaks fluent Mandarin (Chinese), has lived in China for the last 20 years, has amazing local contacts, and is well versed in Chinese culture. On the other hand, Bill did not speak Mandarin (Chinese), and had not lived in China before his job required him to move there. Fiona is being paid $225,000 a year, whilst Timothy was earning about $300,000 a year.

Fiona takes her case to an executive of "Wired" News Service - Timothy Shaw, and raises the question of why she is being paid significantly less than her male colleague. She is highly upset about this situation and asks Timothy to explain this difference of treatment and to adjust her salary accordingly. Timothy is unable to provide a suitable answer to Fiona.

Fiona, in response indicates that there is no reason that she should be paid less than Bill, especially because she is superior in many regards. Timothy apologizes on behalf of his institution, but refuses to make a salary adjustment. He does however indicate that should Fiona find working here unsuitable, she can resign.

Fiona immediately quits her job.

Question 1: Bearing in mind what we discussed in class about Value judgement and Principles of moral dilemma,

a) State what you would do in this situation if you were Fiona.

b) In 150 - 200 words, explain the reasons why you took this decision.

Case Study II - The President of country XYZ recently approved drilling for oil and gas in the northeastern part of the country. For about 40 years, oil and gas companies have been demanding access to this region which is known to have large deposits of oil and natural gas. Previous presidents have not allowed drilling here because this area is one of the most untouched and unspoiled parts of the country, which has the highest biodiversity (various species of plants and animals). Located in the Arctic Circle, it is home to a series of wild mountain ranges, clean rivers, and a number of endangered species of animals (i.e.: penguins, polar bears, fish, seals, etc.)

At the same time, this region is the least developed and is in need of new industries that provide secure jobs - which will help to improve the social and economic conditions of the people who live here. Since few industries are located here to begin with, people have low quality of life and the youth tend to leave the region in search of better opportunities elsewhere. This leads to lack of opportunity which in turn results in many people engaging in behaviors which are destructive to themselves and to greater society.

The country, as a whole, is divided on whether or not to support the President's decision to allow for drilling, or whether to preserve the natural environment that exists here.

Question 2: Bearing in mind what we discussed in class about Value judgement and Principles of moral dilemma,

a) State what you would do in this situation if you were the President.

b) In 150 - 200 words, explain the reasons why you took this decision.

Case Study III - Sally is an employee in a factory. Recently, three of her colleagues posted a website that openly attacks some of the employees and the factory customers using explicit and offensive language. Several weeks ago, Sally learned the identities of the three colleagues who created the website when one of them accidentally said something to her in a conversation. The other two quickly held Sally and pressured her not to reveal their names. She agreed, not thinking much about it at the time. Sally used to be close to one of the three colleagues, but that friendship has faded.

Now, the factory manager has obtained a program that allows him to identify each person who has visited the website. He is asking employees to come forward with the names of the creators of the website. If no one does, he is going to question each employee who visited the website. Sally is one of those who visited the website. She realizes that she may be the only employee who knows the names of the three employees who created the website. She can lie about it and say she doesn't know anything, or she can break her promise not to tell anyone.

Sally has always thought of herself as an ethical person with a clear sense of what is right and wrong. Right now, however, she feels that either choice will end in disaster.

Question 3: Bearing in mind what we discussed in class about Value judgement and Principles of moral dilemma,

a) State what you would do in this situation if you were Sally.

b) In 150 - 200 words, explain the reasons why you took this decision.