Question one
The incidence of finding maggots in milk filters is countered with the presence of an ethical dilemma. This is a situation that may bring up a set of stakeholders in the order of their contribution to the ethical dilemma. These stakeholders are:
- Eastern Dairies
- Technicians
- Customers
Eastern dairies being the owner of the entire business system was supposed to be critically keen on how all activities were coordinated. It was vital for the organization to evaluate the reliability of the stock in terms of being healthy for consumption. However, the company ignored expired stock which was extremely harmful if used in manufacturing milk.
Also, technicians played critical role in creating this ethical dilemma as they remained ignorant of the danger that the expired stock would cause to milk consumers. For example, Paul ignored the presence of maggots in filters, which was extremely shocking to George.
Question two
Based on the Utilitarian ethical decision-making criteria, George was an extremely tight position following the feeling he got from the issue of maggots in milk. The utilitarian theory is defined on the ability to maximize happiness as well as reduce suffering. George was completely agitated by realizing that the milk he used to drink was made of all sorts of harmful products (Tymchuk, 2006). Based on this theory, George was supposed to consider what action would maximize his happiness and reduce his suffering at the same. Since he wanted to provide for his wife, it was wise for George to continue working with Eastern Dairies. However, he was supposed to ensure that he and his family avoided taking a lot of milk shake especially from the company. This would save him from the pain that would result from consumption of milk that he was sure to be unhealthy.
Question three
However, dealing with this issue could not have been easy in any way. George was required to consider various ethical decision making perspectives. In this case, justice ethical decision-making criteria was extremely fundamental in coming up with concrete decision. This criterion is based on recognition of the rule of law on the charges behind conscience production of harmful products for human consumption (Hansson, 2003). Despite the massive financial needs that George had, there was a critical decision awaiting him. With the exclusive knowledge on how Eastern Dairies was ignorant of healthy production, George who willingly worked for the organization would have been sued found in charge of cleaning filters that held maggots found on ingredients used to produce milk shake. Therefore, following this criteria George was supposed to quit the job or report the organization to the relevant authority.
Question four
The 97% assurance was not completely assuring safety of the consumers. This indicates that there was a significant percentage indicating that there were still contaminants in the company. This is an indication that the Company was not willing to completely shed off poor production techniques. This was an assurance that the company was extremely concerned of its income while it rarely took charge of disbursing healthy products to consumers. George as an individual who was concerned of his health, as well as the health of those surrounding him he was required to come up with concrete decision. In this case, George would have considered a move to shed off association with the company. This would help him in protecting his ethical identity. It would be comfortable to work with the organization if he was assured that there was 100% clearance of contaminants.
References
Cousins, Roland, and Linda Benitz. "Does This Milkshake Taste Funny?." Case Research Journal 1.1 (1998): 1-4. Print.
Hansson, S. O. (2003). Ethical criteria of risk acceptance. Erkenntnis, 59(3), 291-309.
Tymchuk, A. J. (2006). Guidelines for ethical decision making. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 27(1), 36.
