Engineering student Bryan has a high-paid summer job as aforklift operator. This job enables him to attend college withouthaving to take out any student loans. He is now staring at a 50-gallon drum filled with used machine coolant, wondering what heshould do.
Just moments ago, Bryan’s supervisor, Max, told him to dump halfof the used coolant down the drain. Knowing the coolant was toxic,Bryan noted this to Max, but Max was not swayed.
Max: The toxins settle at the bottom of the drum. If you pourout half and dilute it with tap water while you are pouring it,there is no problem.
Bryan: I don’t think that’s going to work. Besides isn’t itagainst the law?
Max: Look, kid, I don’t have the time for chitchat about a bunchof silly laws. If I spent my time worrying about every littleregulation that comes along, I’d never get anything done – andneither will you. Common sense is my rule. I just told you – toxinssettle at the bottom, and most of them will stay there. We’ve beendoing this for years, and nothing’s happened.
Bryan: You mean not one’s said anything about it? That doesn’tmean the environment isn’t being harmed.
Max: You aren’t one of those “environmentalistsâ€, are you? Youcollege guys spend too much of your time in the “ivory tower.†It’stime to get real – and get on with the job. You know, you’re luckyto have a good-paid job like this, kid. In three months, you willbe back in your cozy Page 2 of 3 college. Meanwhile, how many othercollege kids do you think are out there wondering if they’ll beable to afford to go back – kids who’d give their eyetooth to bewhere you are right now.
Max then left, fully expecting Bryan to dump the used coolant.Bryan stared at the drum, he pondered his options. What options doyou think he has? Conduct an ethical analysis of the abovecase.
1. In the above case, what are three relevant moral values thatBryan faces? Justify each value.
2. Clarify the different aspects of the values relevant in thiscase.
3. What information should Bryan collect in the short andlong-term?
4. What options are available to Bryan?
5. What action should Bryan take? What are the consequences oftaking that action?
