Ethical Scenario
You are CEO of a small company that manufactures sophisticated drones. Your company's drones are used for non-military purposes such as fighting wildfires, monitoring borders, aerial photography, and law enforcement (finding criminals). You have just received a huge order worth millions of dollars from a firm located in a country ruled by a vicious dictator. This dictator has been known to suppress human rights and has been waging a war against a group fighting for democracy. In the past, he has even used chlorine gas against his own people. The company assures you that the drones will not be used for military purposes. You suspect that the company is a front for the government and may modify the drones as weapons so that they can be used to target freedom fighters and terrorize civilians throughout the country. Should the company should sell or not sell the vicious dictator the drones? Identify at least 3 courses of actions or alternatives.
1 What is the ethical dilemma or issue?
2 What are the alternatives or possible courses of action? Identify at least 3 alternatives.
3 What are your recommendations? In other words, of the several alternatives you identified, what do you think the company should do?
4 What is your rationale for your recommendations? In other words, why do you recommend this course of action?