A Sample Case Study Analysis using the Moral Decision-making Process

CASE: You are the treasurer of your student organization and in that role, you are responsible for fundraising. A large portion of the fundraising money goes to student scholarships. In order to award the advertised number of scholarships next semester, the student group needs to raise a substantial amount of funds in the next 2 months. During your struggling fundraising campaign, an unsavory donor and local business owner with some questionable hiring and bookkeeping practices, has offered up a significant amount of money close to the final deadline. There is no overt expectation that you will be expected to return a favor in exchange for the donation. Do you accept the donation?

(Source: https://ils.ku.edu/sites/ils.ku.edu/files/files/EthicalDilemmaCases-2018.pdf last accessed on 27 February 2022)




MORAL DECISION-MAKING PROCESS










1. Gather the facts

a. The class treasurer of a student organization is responsible in raising funds wherein a large portion of the proceeds is dedicated for the scholarships.

b. A substantial amount is needed in the next two months, and you are struggling to meet it.

c. A local business owner is willing to serve as a donor of your organization which will allow you meet the deadline

d. The said business owner is known for controversial business practices in terms of hiring and book keeping.

e. The donation by the business owner to the organization do not have clear expectations or demands in return.



2. Define the moral crisis

a. Integrity vs. Charity

i. The case portrays that the capacity of the organization to provide scholarship is at stake since there is no enough funding raised. The schooling of beneficiaries may possibly stop due to the said deficiency.

ii. On the other hand, the treasurer can manage to raise the needed fund through a potential donor so that the scholarship can continue, and the class treasurer can accomplish his/her responsibility. However, the donor is tainted with issues that the money may be illegally obtained.



3. Determine the possible options

a. Accept the donation to continue the scholarship, keep quiet about the irregularities, and play innocent when things go south.

b. Accept the donation to continue the scholarship, report the donor to authorities, and play innocent when things go south.

c. Do not accept the donation, and report the donor to authorities

d. Do not accept the donation, and confront the donor about his/her irregular activities

e. Do not accept the donation, do nothing in relation to the donor, and accept the eventuality of raising or not raising the needed fund.

Note: You can list as many options as you can



4. Determine the principles behind the options

a. Accept the donation to continue the scholarship, keep quiet about the irregularities, and play innocent when things go south.

Principle: The end justifies the means – Machiavelli

b. Accept the donation to continue the scholarship, report the donor to authorities, and play innocent when things go south.

Principle: He is not a good man who, without a protest, allows wrong to be committed in his name, and with the means which he helps to supply, because he will not trouble himself to use his mind on the subject.” – John Stuart Mill

c. Do not accept the donation, and report the donor to authorities

Principle: The civil code of the Philippines regulates act of donations under Article 725

d. Do not accept the donation, and confront the donor about his/her irregular activities

Principle: Seventh Commandment: Do not Steal

e. Do not accept the donation, do nothing in relation to the donor, and accept the eventuality of raising or not raising the needed fund.

Principle: “Ang pandaraya ay isang kahinaan. Kapuri-puri naman ang Katapatan”



Note: You can determine as many principles as you can



5. Compare the alternatives with the principles

a. Accept the donation to continue the scholarship, keep quiet about the irregularities, and play innocent when things go south.

Principle 1: The end justifies the means – Machiavelli

Principle 2: This will be in contrast to the Seventh Commandment. A good that is caused by an action that is against the commandments of the Lord can never go worse. The commandments of the Lord is the supreme law of man.



b. Accept the donation to continue the scholarship, report the donor to authorities, and play innocent when things go south.

Principle 1: He is not a good man who, without a protest, allows wrong to be committed in his name, and with the means which he helps to supply, because he will not trouble himself to use his mind on the subject.” – John Stuart Mill

Principle 2: This will align with the Article 725 of the Civil Code of the Philippines



c. Do not accept the donation, and report the donor to authorities

Principle 1: The civil code of the Philippines regulates act of donations under Article 725

Principle 2: This will align with the wisdom of the elders and my parents who raised me to live an upright life.



d. Do not accept the donation, and confront the donor about his/her irregular activities

Principle 1: Seventh Commandment: Do not Steal

Principle 2: The Lord also commands His people to love you neighbors as you love yourself. Being righteous will lead to people losing their opportunity to study, and lead their families soon from poverty.



e. Do not accept the donation, do nothing in relation to the donor, and accept the eventuality of raising or not raising the needed fund.

Principle 1: “Ang pandaraya ay isang kahinaan. Kapuri-puri naman ang Katapatan”

Principle 2: The core values of the University include faith, human dignity and integrity. These values became a part of my formation.



Note: You can compare all of the principles to each other. You can also combine or modify your options in this stage.



6. Make a decision



Option E is the best option. I believe that not being able to provide the fund is my duty. It will affect my position and my track record as a student-leader. It will also take the access of hardworking and deserving student to study and fulfill their dreams. However, I am not their only resort. There are more organizations and benefactors who are doing their best to raise funds, and our organization may still be able to provide. The result will be uncertain, but there is still chance. On the other hand, committing to the certainty of the donation by the controversial business owner, but with uncertain consequences may lead to more trouble that may do harm than good. It can affect my future, and the future too of my organizations and the scholars. Once that happened, I can never consider myself as a mere victim but as an accomplice, or even an offender too, since it is of my knowledge that there are irregularities