What if? Ethics cases using various philosophies (Vol. 2)
Overview
This OER is a collection of case studies for discussions on ethical decision-making. It uses a variety of philosophies to determine how and if outcomes might have differed. This volume provides updated cases for students to discuss.
Table of Contents
The OER begins with a short introduction and then case links below are organized by the philosophy used for analysis.
Communitarianism
Celebrity Influence and Medication Scarcity: An Ethical Examination through a Communitarian Lens
Cosmpolitanism
Towards Ethical and Effective Emergency Response: A Cosmopolitan Perspective on the Tragic Case of Debra Stevens in Arkansas
Dialogic Ethics
From Bamboo Bliss to Social Media Crisis: The Kyte Baby Maternity Leave Debacle
She’s Drunk, But Should She Go Home? A Case Study Using Dialogic Ethics
Ethics of Care
The Case Study of the Withheld Sales
Ethics of Trust
Fallout of Alabama Baseball Coach Brian Bohannon's Gambling Scandal Using Ethics of Trust
Unauthorized Use of Shubnum Khan's Headshots and Watsuji’s Ethics of Trust Analysis
Rawl's Theory of Justice
A Case Study of the Princess of Wales' Photoshop Manipulation Incident
Ubuntu
From Disappointment to Discovery: Ubuntu Ethics and the Rebirth of No Man's Sky
Virtue Ethics
Alyssa Milano’s GoFundMe Baseball Fundraiser
A Case Study of a Mississippi Daycare Nightmare
Introduction
This OER is a collection of case studies for discussions on ethical decision-making. The case studies present what-if scenarios. What if decision-makers had used a different philosophy or prioritized values and stakeholders in another way? Cases move beyond a Utilitarian default and explore philosophies that are not as automatic for corporations in the U.S. A new crop of cases is added here to create volume 2.
About Ethics (adapted from Vol. 1)
Ethics is part of our everyday lives; we may have to slow down to see it, but we are making decisions at every turn. We weigh our principles and values against personal needs, desires, and potential consequences. Should I speed along this residential road to make it to work on time? Do I return to pay for the bread I missed scanning at the self-check out when I have already made it to my car? Do I tell my friend the truth when she asks about her new haircut? Do my answers change if I won't get caught?
When I ask students to think about the first time they were confronted with ethics, many cite youth sports leagues where they witness parents and coaches cutting corners or maybe on the bright side, exhibiting strong morals. Others share how a desire to win or receive a prize altered how they would normally behave. I ask them to think about their development and those who have most influenced how they view good/bad and right/wrong. Our morals are the principles that guide us and ethics are typically our rules and actions. In our professions, we likely have a Code of Ethics, or list of acceptable behaviors. This in a nutshell is ethics.
Alternative Philosophies
In the United States, many of our decision-makers default to Utilitarianism — a philosophy that basically aims for the greatest good for the greatest number. There is nothing wrong with this philosophy. In a fast-paced corporate environment, it aims for a good outcome for the majority, and may be more efficient and time-conscious than other philosophies. The aim of this open education resource is to add other philosophies and a decision-making system to your toolkit. One philosophy may be better suited to a decision than another. Our environments are increasily more global and other philosophies entertain other viewpoints and stakeholders that Utilitarianism may overlook. Over the past few years, my students have modeled case studies after those in Contemporary Media Ethics by Land, Fuse, and Hornaday, which uses a Point-of-Decision Pyramid for decision-making. Of course, there are other ways to analyze the ethics of a situation. There's the Potter Box, Bok's model, Kidder's nine checkpoints, question-based decision trees and even ethics apps! My hope is that by broadening your view of decision-making tools and philosophies you can be the one person is a meeting that moves beyond a first gut reaction and says, "wait, have we considered...? Can we systematically think about this?"
Point-of-decision Pyramid
One advantage of the Point-of-Decision Pyramid (Land et al., 2014) is that you can pop any philosophy into the bottom of the pyramid to provide a foundation for decision-making. Yes, you can do the same the Potter Box and others, but an underlying philosophy is not part of the process. It almost feels assumed. The Point of Decision Pyramid is used to analyze the cases in this OER. But I challenge you to find a decision-making model or system that works for you and your organization.
To work the pyramid for decision-making you being at the bottom ot the pyramid and work your way up and around the sides of the pyramid, using the philosophy as your foundation. The second layer consists of the facts that are pointed out in a case, as well as the principles, values, stakeholders, and loyalties that would lead to a decision (Land & Hornaday, 2006). Each panel of the pyramid focuses on these and you would wind around the pyramid addressing these. The facts of the case are details important to the decision; the stakeholders are those who could be affected by the decision,prioritized by the philosophy. The principles and values are truth, humaneness, justice/fairness, freedom/liberty, stewardship, harmony, and diversity. They are considered based on how they are prioritized by the foundational philosophy in the pyramid. Finally, the top of the pyramid is the point of the decision. You reach the top, or the decision, by working from the philosophy upward through the pyramid leads to making a decision based on the information that was examined in the other parts of the pyramid.
How Cases are Arranged
Case studies are grouped in the Table of Contents by the guiding philosophy used for the analysis. Each asks what would have been decided if {blank} philosophy had been used to analyze the situation. Cases represent actual events from recent years. The cases use the Point-of-decision Pyramid to review the cases' facts, stakeholders, and principles. Some outcomes remain the same when using an alternative philosophy, but others showcase how another philosophy offered a different outcome, and maybe a better one. Cases include a few discussion questions and references for follow-up readings and discussions.
How to Prepare for a Discussion Using Case Studies
Case studies are wonderful for igniting classroom discussions. Your professor may melt into the background to let you and your colleagues lead the chat. In order to prepare, be sure to read the case fully, making note of questions you have as you read. You might even plan what you could add to a class discussion. For each case ask yourself to
- identify the main stakeholders
- make a quick list of the facts
- determine the main tenents of the philosophy introduced
- consume additional background on the philosophy (see Stanford's Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
- identify which of the principles/values (truth, justice/fairness, freedom/liberty, diversity, harmony, stewardship and humaneness) were actually honored and which could have been
- attempt to find the original post, advertisement, video or document that started the ethical quandry
- look up the company or individuals to see where they are now
- decide if you think the alternative philosophy delivered a better/stronger decision
- try to craft a better company response, policy, or decision tree to prevent a future mishap
- locate the code of ethics that the industry likely uses and mine it for the principles/values reflected
- think about similar cases that may have happened more recently or in your area
References
Land, M., Fuse, K., & Hornaday, B. W. (2014). Contemporary media ethics: A practical guide for students, scholars and professionals in a globalized world (2nd ed.). Spokane, WA: Marquette Books.
Land, M., & Hornaday, B. W. (2006). Contemporary media ethics: A practical guide for students, scholars, and professionals. Spokane, WA: Marquette Books.
Canadian government decision to not search landfill for the bodies of three murdered Indigenous Women
By Arthur Sennett
Abstract: Jeremy Skibicki, a Winnipeg resident, was charged with murdering four Indigenous women in 2022. The remains of Rebecca Contois, one of the murdered women was found in a Winnipeg landfill and it is believed by the local police and the Indigenous community that the other murdered women, Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, and Mashkode Bizhgiki’ikwe, are also buried in a Winnipeg landfill. The Indigenous Community wanted the authorities to search the landfill for the remains of the other three murdered women to bring closure to the families of the murdered women and the Indigenous community at large. The authorities in the form of the local police and the Provincial Government said they would not search the landfill for feasibility and safety reasons. The Indigenous community protested this decision based on the democratic idea of a government’s responsibility for the well-being of the citizenry. This case study analyzes the moral responsibility of a government to those being governed.
Keywords: Ubuntu Philosophy, Humaneness, Identity, Solidarity
Introduction
Democratic governments are often referred to as the best form of government. This is because democracies are governments of the people by the people and for the people. Democracies as opposed to dictatorships have the well-being of the populace in mind (Paul, 2021). Democracies are also referred to as a responsible form of government. This refers to a government that is responsible to those they govern (McIntosh et al. 2006). This responsibility is reflected in the three roles democratic governments play. These roles are played out in American government as well as Canadian government. They reflect the type of responsiveness on the part of government that is expected in democratic societies. The first role of a responsible government is upholding the rights of individuals in a society.
The rights of individuals in a society are one of the primary features of a democratic government. Without governmental protection of these rights citizens would be hard pressed to live productive lives. These rights also at times must be protested for in a democratic society. The Civil Rights Act of 1957 is an example of this. This piece of legislation motivated by racial tensions in the South would allow federal prosecution of anyone who tried to stop someone from voting (History Editors, 2009). This guarantees the fundamental right of all citizens to vote. This again is an example of how government is to protect the rights of the citizenry.
A second role of responsible governments is to uphold the laws. This means that governmental activity should be guided by a constitution. Upholding the law means governments should lead by example (Paul, 2021). Governments not only make laws for the well-being of a society, but they must also live by those same laws. Not doing so would cause the emergence of conflict between the government and those being governed.
A third role of responsible government is responding to the needs of the citizenry. This involves creating policies that would respond to those needs. These policies create programs for the disadvantaged persons in a society (Slaughter, 2017). This government aid in America is expressed in a variety of ways that includes food aid, housing help, Social Security, and health insurance to name a few. These types of government programs are crucial to the well-being of those in a society, who through no fault of their own, find themselves on the bottom rung socially and economically in society.
This third responsibility of a democratic government, responding to the needs of the citizenry, will be the context in which the case study will be analyzed. This analyzation will be conducted within the ethical framework of The Ubuntu Philosophy. Therefore, we will analyze this case considering Ubuntu Philosophy. The goal is to see how the decision-making process would have been affected by using Ubuntu Philosophy to resolve an ethical dilemma.
Background and Ethical Framework
The word Ubuntu literally means humanness. Having Ubuntu is becoming one’s authentic self it is to truly live a human life (Metz, 2019). The Ubuntu philosophy originated and was developed throughout the African continent over thousands of years. It was known by different names in different areas of Africa, such as Gimuntu in Angola, Bato in Cameroon, or Bantu in the Congo to name a few but the dominant and current name for this philosophy is Ubuntu. Furthermore, “Different communities may emphasize different aspects of Ubuntu philosophy but there is a common foundation that shapes relations, knowledge, values and practices” (Mugumbate et al., 2023). There is unification in the core ideas of this philosophy.
This common foundation focuses upon the individual and the community. The individual goal in Ubuntu philosophy is one of self-realization. This goal, however, cannot be achieved by self-determination or individual habit formation techniques. Such as, developing virtuous behavior as seen in Aristotle’s model of self-realization. By way of contrast in Ubuntu, self-realization is not an individual endeavor but a process whereby one comes to realize oneself through interaction with others (Metz, 2019). This is what is meant by the term humanness in Ubuntu Philosophy. This interaction furthermore should be characterized by excellence in thought and behavior towards others. This fact lends itself to the importance of communal relations in Ubuntu philosophy.
Communal relations are described in two ways in Ubuntu Philosophy, identifying with others and showing solidarity with them (Metz, 2019). Identifying with others is treating oneself as a member of the same group. Having a “We” mentality instead of an “I” mentality. It is having a positive attitude towards those you interact with. Solidarity involves being helpful, acting in ways that help others, being positively oriented toward other’s good. Therefore, within the ethical framework of Ubuntu Philosophy we will analyze the case study within the context of communal relations as it relates to identity and solidarity.
Method
The method used to analyze the decision made by the Canadian authorities for this case study will be the Point of Decision Pyramid from Land et al. (2014). The bottom tier of the pyramid is the philosophical foundation upon which the elements of the case study will be analyzed. The second tier holds seven principles: truth, justice, humaneness, liberty, stewardship, harmony, and diversity. This second tier also holds the statement of facts in the case along with stakeholders and loyalties. The third tier is an informed decision which in this instance will reflect what would have happened if Ubuntu Philosophy was applied to this case. This method will be used to apply the seven principles of the Point of Decision Pyramid to the case within the framework of the Ubuntu Philosophy.
Case Narrative
The mystery of the murder of four Indigenous women began to unravel on June 15, 2022, when police uncovered partial human remains, found in the Brady Road Landfill (Gowriluk, 2023). The remains were identified as those of Rebecca Contois, a 24-year-old homicide victim. Jeremy Skibicki a 35-year-old Canadian was charged with the crime. Police believed also that when they found the partial human remains, that there was a possibility of other victims. These victims, the other three murdered Indigenous women, Police believed are buried in a landfill at the Prairie Green site (Deer, 2023).
This fact led Cambria Harris, a daughter of one of the murdered victims, to ask police to search for her mother, Morgan Harris, and the other murdered victims in the Prairie Green landfill site. The Winnipeg Police responded to this request with a decision not to search the landfill because of feasibility of the search and low possibility of recovery (Deer, 2023). This response was responded to by the Manitoba’s leaders bringing a panel of experts together to see if the search could be done. The findings of the panel concluded that the search can be done at a cost of $184 million and could take up to three years but could be done safely (Unger, 2023). In addition to the findings of the panel, protests were formed against the decision to not search the landfill for the other three murdered women. A place called Camp Morgan was set up in front of the Prairie Green Landfill entrance to stop further dumping in the site (Gowriluk, 2023).
These facts, however, did not sway the local police or governmental authorities from changing their decision. The moral argument on the part of the Indigenous community for searching the landfill for the murdered women along with the responsibility of the Canadian government to its citizens was seemingly ignored. The Canadian authority’s decision was alleged to be based on budget concerns and not the need of the Indigenous community. This brings us to what would have happened if Ubuntu Philosophy was used to make this decision considering the principles and values of the Point of Decision Pyramid.
Principles and Values
The Canadian Authorities decision not to search the Prairie Green landfill for the other three murdered Indigenous women, appears to be based on Utilitarian Philosophy, the greatest good for the greatest number. The search would cost 184 million dollars and take three years. The Canadian Authorities believe a better use of the money would be satisfying budget concerns. This would result in a greater number of people’s needs being met. The question, however, is could an alternate decision be arrived at by using a different philosophical base to make the decision. Therefore, we will look at the seven principles screened through the Ubuntu Philosophy concepts of identity and solidarity to see if an alternative decision could have been arrived at in this case study.
The principles will be prioritized reflecting their individual importance to this case study. This prioritizing furthermore will also be the basis for making the final informed decision. We begin therefore with the seven principles in connection with the Canadian Authorities decision not to search the Prairie Green Landfill for the other three murdered Indigenous women. The first principle that should be looked at in connection with this case study is truth. Were the Canadian Authorities using truth as a basis for their decision making? A study done by a panel of experts to see if the search could be done concluded that the search was possible and could be done safely. The Ubuntu Philosophy would have the Canadian Authorities based their decision on what is true as a starting point for communal interaction.
Following truth is stewardship. The Canadian Authorities as stewards of the populace had a responsibility to meet the needs of the community based on the idea of responsible government. The need in this instance was to search the Prairie Green landfill for the remains of the other three murdered Indigenous women. Stewardship requires care of those under your authority. The Canadian Authorities ignored this requirement and cited feasibility and safety reasons for doing so. These reasons, however, were shown to be without substance based on an expert study done that found the search could be done safely.
The Ubuntu Philosophy would have the Canadian Authorities identifying with those they are stewards of as well as expressing solidarity with them. This identity should have been expressed by an attitude of empathy for the Indigenous community in their time of grief. Solidarity should have been expressed by responding to the genuine need for closure on the part of the relatives of the murdered women as well as the Indigenous community.
Stewardship in turn should be based on humaneness. Humaneness is a central concept in Ubuntu Philosophy. It has to do with genuine care and concern for others. Care and concern for the Indigenous community was not being expressed through the decision to not search the landfill. Humaneness was a priority that should have been expressed through communal interactions of identifying with others and engaging in solidarity with others. The truth here is that humaneness gave way to self-interest.
Humaneness, furthermore, should have been expressed through justice. Justice requires everyone to be treated fairly. Ubuntu Philosophy would have justice expressed in a balanced manner. This means not selecting who you will search for but identifying all victims as deserving of the same considerations. What is done for one member in a community should be done for all members in the community. This type of fairness expresses the identity and solidarity that is called for in Ubuntu Philosophy. Wherever justice fails, furthermore, the fall of humanness is not far behind.
Justice in turn should result in harmony and diversity. When all things are equal there is no need for divisiveness. Harmony, however, was not present in this case study. The decision not to search for the other three murdered Indigenous women in the Prairie Green landfill sowed discord in the community. Harmony would result from, based on Ubuntu Philosophy, genuinely identifying with those in the community who in some respect are different from you. It is the idea of a “We’ mentality instead of an us and them attitude. Harmony is the result of communal relations that are bound together with an us mentality.
Diversity plays two parts in this case study. First the acceptance of other possible decisions other than the one made by the Canadian Authorities. Secondly, the inclusion of everyone in the community regardless of race as part of the community. The idea of identifying with others in this matter should have been expressed by engaging the Indigenous community to take part in the decision that was made. This was not done by the Canadian Authorities. Instead, a decision was made without the Indigenous community input and when the Indigenous community did have something to say about the matter it was ignored. This means that in this instance the Indigenous community was not included as part of Canada’s national community but was excluded from it. This reality does not promote solidarity but separation in the national community.
Stakeholders
We now turn our attention to the stakeholders in this case. There are the Families of the murdered Indigenous women, the Indigenous community, the Canadian governmental officials, and the global community. Loyalty was not being expressed to the families of the murdered Indigenous women, the national community of Canada, or the global community. This is a result of not identifying with the Indigenous community which led to an us versus them mentality. The principle of stewardship, humaneness, and truth should have been paramount when screened through the Ubuntu Philosophy concept of identifying with others in the community.
The Canadian Authorities loyalty was limited to themselves. They decided they had the liberty to make the decision they did because of their being stewards of the populace. The exercising of the principles of liberty and stewardship however by the Canadian Authorities ignored the crisis at hand which in turn created disharmony in the community. Focusing on the Ubuntu Philosophy concept of solidarity in the community would have enabled the Canadian Authorities to see the principles of liberty and stewardship in a different light. They would have seen their stewardship and liberty as an opportunity to respond to the genuine need of the Indigenous community in their time of grief.
Considering what has just been said, the Ubuntu Philosophy offers a communal view of relationships instead of an individualistic one. This view focuses upon harmonious community relations based on identity and solidarity. This view would give the Canadian Authorities the ability to see themselves as the same as the Indigenous community. They would also have seen solidarity as a primary goal to be achieved considering the crisis they were dealing with.
Case Resolution
Currently the Federal and Manitoba governments in Canada are pledging 20 million dollars each toward a search for the remains of two of the murdered women in the Prairie Green landfill. In addition to this, “the Manitoba and federal governments have offered money for mental health supports for the families during the trial and the landfill search” (Hobson, 2024). This aligns nicely with the Ubuntu Philosophy concepts of identifying with others and engaging in solidarity with others.
Conclusion
The Ubuntu Philosophy applied to the case suggests that the search for the three murdered Indigenous women should have been done. Considering what has just been said, the Ubuntu Philosophy offers a communal view of relationships instead of an individualistic one. This view focuses upon harmonious community relations based on identity and solidarity. This view would give the Canadian Authorities the ability to see themselves as the same as the Indigenous community. They would also have seen solidarity as a primary goal to be achieved considering the crisis they were dealing with.
The use of non-western moral philosophies as a foundation for ethical decision making is not a knock on moral western philosophies rather it is adding more tools to our moral toolbox. We must realize that truth is not limited to the west but that it can be found as well in other areas of the world.
Discussion Questions
- Do you think the concept of community solidarity can be applied to small group discussions to promote better discussion outcomes?
- Do you think there is a limit to the moral responsibility of a government towards those being governed?
References
Deer, F. (2023). A moral argument to search the landfill in Winnipeg for murdered Indigenous women Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/a-moral-argument-to-search-the-landfill-in-winnipeg-for-murdered-indigenous-women-212594
Gowriluk, C. (2023). Call to search landfill for remains started in Winnipeg. Now, its coming from across the country Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/landfill-search-calls-movement-momentum-1.691904
History. (2009). Civil Rights Movement. History. Retrieved from, https//www. History.com/Topics/Black/civil-rights-movement#civil-rights-act-of-1957
Hobson, B., Lambert, S. (2024). We have to try: Ottawa, Manitoba commit$40M to search landfill for slain women. The Canadian Press. Retrieved from https://ca.news.yahoo.com/families-slain-women-meet-governments-182827302.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALO547VgLVmpzq6svi3cV-DrQd5gB_m8gTY2YkKqs0sEeRD7rSsGArc0UA9AgNy
Land, M., Fuse, K., & Hornaday, B.W. (2014). Contemporary media ethics: A practical guide for students, scholars and professionals in a globalized world, Spokane, WA: Marquette Books.
Metz, T. (2019). The African Ethic of Ubuntu. 1000-Word Philosophy-An Introductory Anthology, Retrieved from https://1000wordphilosophy.com/2019/09/08/the-african-ethic-of-ubuntu/
Mclntosh, A., Maurice, J., Stockford, C. (2006). Responsible Government. Canadian Encyclopedia, Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/responsible-government
Mugumbate, J. R., Mupedziswa R., Twikirize J. M., Mthethwa, E., Desta, A. A., Olinlola, O. (2023). Understanding ubuntu and its contribution to social work education in Africa and other regions of the world, Social Work Education, DOI: 10.1080/02615479.2023.2168638
Paul, M. (2021). Role of Government in Democracy. Paypervids Media Company, Retrieved from, https://www.paypervids.com/role-government-democracy
Slaughter, A. (2017). 3 responsibilities every government has toward its citizens. World Economic Forum. Retrieved from, https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/02/government-responsibility-to-citizens-anne-marie-slaughter/
Thompson, S. (2022). Winnipeg homicide investigation uncovers human remains at Brady Road Landfill. Retrieved from https://globalnews.ca/news/8922166/winnipeg-police-landfill-body-found/
Unger, D. (2023). It can be done safely: Experts say method for landfill search has been successful in the past. CTVNews. Retrieved from https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/it-can-be-done-safely-experts-say-method-for-landfill-search-has-been-successful-in-the-past-1.6483156.
No Man's Sky's Developmental Journey from Criticism to Commendation
By John C. Johnson
Abstract
This case study examines the development of Hello Games' No Man's Sky, from its highly anticipated but disappointing launch to its significant post-release redemption through the lens of Ubuntu ethics. Ubuntu, an African philosophy emphasizing community, reciprocity, transparency, long-term commitment, and inclusivity provides a framework for analyzing the game's development, update contents, and Hello Games’ engagement with its audience. Despite facing an initial backlash due to unmet expectations at launch, the studio demonstrated a strong commitment to continuous improvement. Their transparent communication and efforts to foster a collaborative player community reflect core Ubuntu principles. This study highlights key milestones in the game's evolution, the developer's responsiveness to player feedback, and whether Hello Games’ continued support of the game is aligned with Ubuntu ethical principles.
Keywords: Ubuntu ethics, game development, ethical game design, No Man’s Sky
From Disappointment to Discovery: Ubuntu Ethics and the Rebirth of No Man's Sky
In 2016, the release of No Man's Sky by Hello Games was met with significant controversy, stemming from a gap between player expectations and the game's initial state. This case study explores how Hello Games navigated the aftermath of the launch. It focuses on their efforts to address community concerns and continuously improve the game, specifically through the Ubuntu perspective. This ethical philosophy prioritizes community welfare, reciprocity, transparency, long-term commitment, and inclusivity. Keeping these principles in mind, we examine the developer's actions, reactions to backlash, major update contents, and how these align with Ubuntu ethical principles.
Case Narrative
The journey of No Man’s Sky is a tale of ambition, challenge, redemption, and community resilience that has unfolded over several years, starting with its initial announcement in 2013.
Initial Hype and Expectation
From the first teaser trailer, No Man's Sky captured the gaming community's imagination with promises of an expansive, procedurally generated universe teeming with planets, wildlife, and endless exploration possibilities. Sean Murray, founder and head of Hello Games, promised an unprecedented gaming experience within No Man's Sky, unlike anything the community had seen before. Every player enters No Man’s Sky in the same way: at the circumference of the galaxy with a barely functioning spaceship and hardly any money (McDonald, 2018). How they cope is up to them; they can become traders, touching down on planets and gathering rare resources to sell; they can be pirates, blasting space freighters to pieces to steal their stock; or just explore and catalogue the endless worlds, selling the data to friendly space stations. With money in hand, pilots can visit these stations to purchase upgrades like the hyperdrive, which allows their ship to more navigate to inhospitable systems; or they can buy better weapons and more durable spacesuits improving their chances of survival. There is no traditional mission structure to follow; only digital space and whatever goals the player sets for themselves.
The planets within the game universe were designed to mirror the scale of actual planets, spaced apart by light-years within a digital realm, with some even populated with alien lifeforms of varying shapes and sizes (Khatchadourian, 2015). Hello Games’ small team of developers created this universe by defining its natural laws through its programming and then employing procedural generation for both the environments and the life forms inhabiting them. This method, where content is created algorithmically rather than manually, allowed for a multitude of unique and diverse structures, planetary landscapes, and organisms to emerge spontaneously, adding layers of unpredictability and variety to the in-game world (Ruffino, pp. 415-417). No Man’s Sky’s procedural nature means much of the game engine’s creations remain unknown, even to the developers themselves. This was by design: players are meant to traverse this vast universe, enhancing their weaponry and spacecraft, and uncovering new types of plants, animals, or entire planets, which they can catalogue and name. Once done so, these discoveries are recorded on the game's server, permanently associating the user's name with their find in No Man’s Sky’s history. “If a new planet in ‘No Man’s Sky’ was discovered every second, it would take 584 billion years for them all to be discovered,” Sean Murray said on in-game galaxy (Kharpal, 2016). The immense scale and the limitless possibilities of the procedurally generated universe captured the imaginations of a wide base of players and gaming enthusiasts, fueling wild speculations about the wonders this digital universe could hold.
No Man’s Sky’s ambitious scope coupled with the small size of the Hello Games team fueled both anticipation and skepticism on whether the game could deliver. As its 2016 launch approached, the hype approached fever pitch, driven by extensive media coverage and the developers' hints of newly revealed, groundbreaking features, including multiplayer capabilities. According to Olivarez-Giles (2015) on No Man’s Sky debut at E3 2015, "The sci-fi game isn't only wowing gamers with its scale, it's wowing E3 attendees with its use of bright colors to create unique and foreign landscapes." As the anticipation built around No Man's Sky, driven by its promises of an unprecedented gaming experience, the game faced its moment of truth with its release. The transition from the imaginative conception to the reality of the game's vast, procedurally generated universe proved to be a pivotal moment that set the stage for a very complex reception.
Launch and Backlash
Upon its release in August 2016, No Man's Sky became embroiled in the center of gaming industry controversy. "Our release was one of the most intense and dramatic [launches] that I think the game’s industry has seen," Murray says (Crecente, 2019). Despite the promise of a universe teeming with limitless possibilities, players often found themselves struggling to feel connected to the expansive game environment of No Man's Sky (Ruffino, p. 421). While the game's universe was vast, encompassing an almost infinite expanse of planets and creatures, it paradoxically felt empty and devoid of the engaging details that players anticipated. The procedurally generated nature of the game, where elements were created through algorithms rather than handcrafted, contributed to this sense of emptiness. While this method allowed for an impressive scale, it often resulted in environments and life forms that lacked the richness and crafted diversity found in games where details are meticulously designed and placed by artists. This contrast highlighted a disconnect between the potential for endless exploration and the reality of unsatisfying, artificially drawn, homogenous landscapes. In a sense, No Man’s Sky delivered upon its promise of a vast universe of endless possibilities but failed to give players the experience they envisioned, akin more to a digital art project than a true gaming experience.
Many players and critics noted a significant gap between the pre-launch promises, such as those seen in game trailers, and the game's reality. Key advertised features, particularly related to multiplayer interactions and the depth of gameplay, were found lacking or absent. For example, while it was possible to encounter another player, the odds of doing so were slim due to the randomized nature of where players spawned upon starting the game. Lifeforms and planets, though no two technically the same, were too haphazardly designed and due to the mechanical constraints of the programming, it was common to find planets and creatures that were too similar in characteristics to truly feel like the world was infinite in design. Not to mention that a majority of worlds, like in the galaxy we ourselves call home, were simply devoid of life and other interesting features.
The backlash was swift and severe, with fans expressing their disappointment on message boards and harsh reviews. The intense scrutiny was compounded by the lack of communication from Hello Games, which initially went silent in the face of this criticism, believing the media hype leading up to the launch was the root of players’ disappointment with the game. Both Sean Murray and Hello Games recognized the urgency to shift their strategy towards recovery and improvement. This pivotal moment led them from dealing with disappointment to proactively shaping the game's future through substantial updates and direct community engagement, marking the beginning of an extensive path to redemption.
Post-Launch Redemption
Following the tumultuous launch of No Man's Sky, Hello Games embarked on a determined path to redemption, rolling out a series of significant updates that began reshaping the game and its community's experience. The journey started in November 2016 with the Foundation Update, which introduced base building, marking the game's first significant post-launch expansion (Hello Games, n.d.). This was followed by the Pathfinder Update in March 2017, which added new vehicles for planet exploration, improved graphics, and enabled base-sharing, further enriching the gameplay experience. By August 2017, the Atlas Rises update brought 30 hours of new story content, a rudimentary but improved form of multiplayer, and enhancements to the universe's diversity, beginning to reshape the narrative around the game.
Hello Games' commitment continued with the NEXT update in July 2018, a transformative milestone that introduced true multiplayer gameplay where players could join one another, significant visual upgrades, and a host of new content, significantly improving public perception and fulfilling many of the original promises. The momentum was sustained with the Beyond update in August 2019, which expanded the multiplayer experience, added virtual reality support, and further enhanced the game’s social features, cementing its comeback. The series of updates culminated with version 3.0, the Origins update in September 2020, which continued to expand the universe by introducing more varied planets, new lifeforms, and weather systems, alongside a multitude of quality-of-life improvements.
The April 2021 Expeditions update offered a new gameplay mode where players could start afresh with a friend, tackling unique challenges from the outset of their journeys. The game continued to expand with the Frontiers update in September 2021, which empowered players to oversee their own alien settlements. This update enhanced base building and allowed players to make pivotal decisions for their citizens, develop structures, and defend their communities. The Waypoint update followed in March 2023, enabling cross-platform save access, furthering the game’s accessibility. Most recently, the Orbital update, rolled out in April 2023, revolutionized starship customization and space station design, alongside improvements in trading dynamics with the introduction of guilds in some stations. Smaller updates and patches have continued since, with more planned for the future.
Each update has been free with the original base game purchase, demonstrating Hello Games' commitment to both their audience and No Man’s Sky itself. The studio has communicated openly about their roadmap and the game's development process following the initial silence, engaging directly with their player base. At the heart of Hello Games' response was a concerted effort to foster a sense of community among No Man's Sky players by delivering on initial expectations. Recognizing the game's potential to bring people together through exploration and discovery, Sean Murray and the team dedicated themselves to creating a more inclusive and engaging player experience by making their seemingly empty universe feel less so. Through these updates, Hello Games expanded the game's lore, introducing new features that encouraged collaboration and shared adventures. This approach not only enriched the game but also strengthened the bonds within the player base, greatly adding to the connectivity that was initially missing from the game.
Hello Games demonstrated a commitment to the principle of mutual benefit through these updates. The decision to offer substantial improvements and content updates at no additional cost to the players was a clear departure from the industry norm. Such major content changes are usually in the form of paid downloadable content, which often charges the player base for add-ons to the base game. This bold strategy served a dual purpose: enhancing the game for those who had initially invested in it and attracting new players to its ever-expanding universe. It succeeded on both fronts. By prioritizing the shared enjoyment and satisfaction of the player community over immediate financial gains, Hello Games worked towards the common good and mutual prosperity of all involved. Central to this strategy was the maintenance of an open and honest communication channel with the player base. In the face of criticism, Hello Games chose transparency, openly acknowledging the game's shortcomings and sharing their vision for its future. “We learned that the press wasn’t necessarily the right way to communicate with our players... So, if we wanted to talk to our players, we needed to do it directly” says Murray (Crecente, 2019). Regular updates, detailed blog posts, moderated message boards, and direct engagement with players became the norm, establishing a dialogue based on trust and transparency. Once players felt like effort was being put into fixing the game, criticism soon turned to praise. Hello Games’ open communication strategy was instrumental in rebuilding the relationship between the studio and its community. New players continue to join with every update.
The community's response shifted from initial disappointment to growing appreciation and support as Hello Games continued to expand and improve No Man's Sky year after year. The steady stream of substantial, free updates won back many players and critics, transforming the narrative into one of the most compelling comeback stories in gaming history. The game fostered a dedicated player base, enthusiastic about exploring its growing universe and engaging in the continually evolving gameplay. Through these concerted efforts, Hello Games' approach to navigating the post-launch period of No Man's Sky has been a testament to ethical game development. By fostering community, ensuring mutual benefit, and maintaining open lines of communication, the team has not only significantly improved the game but also cultivated a loyal and engaged player base.
Ubuntu Values
Ubuntu is characterized as an African philosophy that emphasizes communal values over individualistic ones. It is often translated or interpreted in various ways, including as "African humanness," "humanity," "humanism or humaneness," or the process of becoming an ethical human being (West, 2014). The core principles of Ubuntu involve a deep sense of community, where an individual's well-being is intrinsically connected to the well-being of others. This philosophy stresses the importance of interpersonal relationships and values such as harmony, care, empathy for others, and respect. The concept of Ubuntu can be captured in the Nguni saying umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu, which means I am because we are; and because we are, thus I am, or it can be understood as individuals become individuals through other individuals. This interconnectedness of individuals within a community is held in high importance and suggests that one's humanity is affirmed through recognizing and fostering the humanity of others. Ubuntu can also reflect a particular action or state of being that signifies the interdependence and mutual support among individuals, again highlighting this importance of community over the individual. The ethical content of Ubuntu is often articulated through values or virtues consistent with, and required by, the philosophy, including social justice, righteousness, care, empathy for others, respect, and compassion (Lutz, 2009). Despite its roots in African philosophy, the principles of Ubuntu can offer valuable insights and contribute significantly to the development of business ethics globally.
Community Welfare
As mentioned, Ubuntu places a strong emphasis on the well-being of the community, valuing collective success over individual achievement. This principle asserts that an individual's identity and fulfillment are deeply intertwined with the welfare of others (West, 2014). Community welfare and unity under Ubuntu mean working towards the common good, where actions and decisions are made with consideration for their impact on the community. Personal well-being is viewed as contingent on the health and harmony of the community at large. In a business setting, a company could foster community welfare by creating a supportive work environment that prioritizes employee well-being and satisfaction. This could ultimately lead to higher productivity and improved customer service, which benefits the broader community of users and stakeholders.
Reciprocity and Mutual Support
The principle of reciprocity and mutual support in Ubuntu speaks to the importance of individuals supporting one another in a reciprocal manner. It's about giving and receiving in equal measure, ensuring that support flows both ways and contributes to the strengthening of communal bonds (Lutz, 2009). This principle fosters a culture of help and cooperation, where members of the community look out for each other, share resources, and aid when needed, creating a resilient and supportive social fabric. A business could enhance mutual support by implementing a profit-sharing program that rewards employees when the company succeeds, creating a sense of shared success and encouraging teamwork that ultimately benefits customers through better service and innovation.
Transparency and Openness
Transparency and openness are vital components of Ubuntu, advocating for honesty and clear communication within the community. This principle ensures that actions and intentions are transparent, fostering trust and understanding among community members. It encourages an environment where individuals feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, feelings, and concerns, knowing they will be received with openness and empathy. A company can promote transparency by adopting an open-door policy where employees are encouraged to share ideas and concerns directly with management, improving internal communications and trust, which in turn fosters a more transparent relationship with customers and other stakeholders.
Long-term Commitment
Ubuntu emphasizes sustainability and the importance of thinking about the long-term implications of actions on future generations. This principle encourages practices that ensure the community's enduring health and prosperity, advocating for decisions that are not solely based on immediate gains but on sustainable outcomes that benefit the community over time. It reflects a commitment to maintaining and enhancing the communal environment for the well-being of all. A software development firm, for example, could invest in employee growth through comprehensive training programs, regular skill-upgrade workshops, and ongoing educational opportunities. It could also foster a mentorship culture where experienced employees guide newer ones, enhancing job satisfaction and promoting a knowledge-sharing environment. This approach would ensure the long-term success of both the employees and the company, reflecting a commitment to the collective well-being of the corporate community.
Inclusivity
At the heart of Ubuntu is the principle of inclusivity, which promotes a sense of belonging and acceptance for everyone. It challenges exclusion and discrimination, advocating for an environment where diversity is celebrated, and every individual feels valued and included. Inclusivity under Ubuntu means actively working to ensure that all members of the community have equal opportunities to participate, contribute, and benefit from communal life. A business can practice inclusivity by ensuring that its hiring practices are designed to eliminate bias and that its workplace policies accommodate and respect diverse cultures, lifestyles, and backgrounds, creating a more inclusive environment that reflects positively on customer relations and stakeholder engagement.
Stakeholders in No Man’s Sky
In the narrative of No Man’s Sky, several key stakeholders emerge, each playing a crucial role in the game’s journey from its tumultuous launch to its status as a redemption story within the gaming industry. These stakeholders include Hello Games, the No Man’s Sky player community, and the broader gaming industry itself. An Ubuntu framework, which emphasizes communal success, mutual respect, and shared experiences, provides a rich context for understanding Hello Games’ commitment and loyalty to these stakeholders.
Hello Games
As the creator of No Man’s Sky, Hello Games is at the center of this narrative, bearing the brunt of initial criticisms and spearheading the efforts to redeem the game. Within an Ubuntu framework, the company’s dedication to continuous improvement and engagement with the community reflects a deep sense of responsibility and loyalty to their creation and its users. This is evident in their commitment to releasing substantial free updates, enhancing the game’s universe, and thereby ensuring its longevity and relevance. This approach mirrors Ubuntu principles by prioritizing the collective well-being of the player base and the game’s universe over short-term financial gains.
No Man's Sky Player Community
The No Man’s Sky player community, comprising both initial players disillusioned by the game’s launch and those who joined attracted by its improvements, represents a significant stakeholder. This community’s feedback and engagement have been crucial in shaping the game’s development trajectory. Hello Games’ responsiveness to this feedback, their efforts to incorporate community suggestions, and their commitment to transparent communication reflect an Ubuntu aligned respect for the community. By valuing the community’s voice and working towards mutual benefit, Hello Games reinforced a sense of loyalty to its players, acknowledging that their collective experience and satisfaction are paramount.
Broader Gaming Industry
The broader gaming industry, including other developers, critics, and potential players, serves as an extended stakeholder group. Hello Games’ journey with No Man’s Sky has offered valuable lessons on transparency, accountability, and the potential for redemption. Their dedication to rectifying the game’s issues and engaging with the community in an open and honest manner showcases a commitment to ethical practices and innovation. This, in turn, contributes to shaping industry standards and expectations, demonstrating loyalty to the broader gaming ecosystem by advocating for a more ethical, player-centric approach to game development.
Examining Ubuntu Values in No Man’s Sky Post-Release Support
To examine whether Hello Games' actions with No Man's Sky embody Ubuntu ethics, we must utilize the developed framework based on key Ubuntu principles including community welfare, reciprocity and mutual support, transparency, long term-commitment, and inclusivity.
To start, Hello Games' approach to continuously updating No Man's Sky with free content releases, rather than paid downloadable content, is a significant action that embodies the Ubuntu principles of community welfare and unity. This strategy demonstrates a commitment to collective well-being over individual profit, aligning with Ubuntu's emphasis on mutual care and shared progress. In doing so, Hello Games not only enhances the game's value for existing players (and shareholders) but also encourages new players to join the community, fostering a growing player base. Players are likely to feel a stronger connection to a game that continues to evolve and improve based on their collective feedback, without segregating the player base through premium, paid-for content. The Foundation and Frontiers updates support this idea of community by enabling players to establish homes and communities within the vast universe, fostering a sense of belonging and shared space. The Pathfinder and Expeditions updates encouraged community collaboration and shared experiences, as players explore new updates together, share discoveries, and collectively navigate the expanded universe of No Man's Sky. This support reflects deep respect for the sense of community, showing Hello Games' commitment to the game's long-term success and the satisfaction of its players.
Hello Games' ongoing commitment to No Man's Sky also significantly embodies the Ubuntu principle of reciprocity and mutual support. Hello Games has actively listened to their community, addressing concerns, and incorporating suggestions into the game's evolution. This iterative process of feedback and improvement demonstrates a reciprocal relationship between the developers and the player base, where each party contributes to the enrichment of the other. The developers enhance the game experience based on player input, while the players continue to engage with and support the game, fostering a symbiotic relationship. Likewise, the Pathfinder update enabled base-sharing, allowing players to share their creations with one another in-game. This fosters a culture of reciprocity and mutual support as players contribute to and benefit from the shared resources and creative efforts within the game community. The update also established community goals that could be accomplished at large. This mutual support extends beyond mere transactional interactions; it reflects a deeper care for the community's experience and enjoyment. By valuing the input of their players and treating them as partners in the game's development, Hello Games shows a commitment to not just the game itself but to the people who inhabit its universe. This approach has helped repair initial reputational damage and build a strong, supportive community around No Man's Sky.
With these ongoing updates and patches were detailed notes explaining the changes, the reasoning behind them, and how they aligned with the broader vision for the game. This approach not only demonstrated their commitment to transparency but also highlighted their openness to community input. Hello Games has maintained this ethos of transparency, regularly updating the community on upcoming features, engaging with players across various platforms, and being candid about the challenges they face. Through their actions, Hello Games exemplifies the Ubuntu principle of transparency and openness, showing how honest communication and responsiveness to community feedback can foster a stronger, more united community. No Man's Sky underscores the importance of honesty in building and maintaining relationships, not just within the game's universe but also between the developers and the player community. This approach has not only enhanced the game's development but also cultivated a loyal and engaged community, anchored in mutual trust and respect.
The Atlas Rises and Origins updates expanded the universe significantly by introducing new lifeforms and weather systems, showing a commitment to continuous improvement and sustainable development of the game’s environment and player experience. The Waypoint update introduced cross-platform save access, which significantly enhances the game's accessibility and player convenience. By allowing players to continue their saved game on different platforms, Hello Games demonstrated a commitment to accommodating their existing player base who might switch consoles or prefer to play on multiple devices.
Hello Games has also introduced features that promote players sharing their experiences. No Man’s Sky’s now connected, but expansive, universe encourages exploration and discovery alike, allowing players from different backgrounds to share their experiences and stories. Added features like base building and the ability to leave messages for other explorers have fostered a sense of community and shared space, where players contribute to and benefit from an inclusive collective experience. The multiplayer updates like the added player hubs encourage players to collaborate, explore, and undertake missions together, transcending geographical and cultural barriers. This collaborative aspect of the game fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose, aligning with Ubuntu's principle of community and mutual support. By encouraging players to work together, Hello Games promotes an inclusive environment where diversity is not just accepted but celebrated through experiences and in-game creative expression.
Conclusion
Hello Games' journey with No Man's Sky is a compelling narrative of failure and redemption, underscored by a steadfast commitment to the game and its community. By applying Ubuntu ethics as an analytical framework, it becomes evident that the developer's strategies for engaging with players, addressing feedback, and providing continuous updates are deeply aligned with Ubuntu principles of community care, mutual support, and inclusivity. This case study not only sheds light on No Man's Sky's transformation but also offers valuable insights into the application of Ubuntu ethics within the gaming industry. It highlights the potential for ethical practices to drive meaningful change, underscoring the importance of community-centered approaches in overcoming challenges and achieving success. Exploring and interpreting lessons from Ubuntu ethics could lead to successful strategies of player engagement where developers continually seek and incorporate community feedback into game development. Proper application of these values could not only improve future game design but also foster a sense of ownership and belonging among players, enhancing their connection to the game world and to each other, leading to a newly established model of industry success.
Discussion Questions
1. Do you agree or disagree with this statement: "Exploring and interpreting lessons from Ubuntu ethics could lead to successful strategies of player engagement where developers continually seek and incorporate community feedback into game development."
2. Given the pacing and pressures of a deadline-driven industry, which philosophies besides Ubuntu might help create positive work environments in the gaming world?
3. Do you think in-game ethics match the ethics of developers creating games in the industry?
References
Crecente, B. (2019, March 20). ‘No Man’s Sky’s’ Disastrous, Wonderful, Amazing Journey. Variety. https://variety.com/2019/gaming/features/no-mans-skys-disastrous-wonderful-amazing-journey-1203168806/
Hello Games. (n.d.). Release log. No Man's Sky. Retrieved April 5, 2024, from https://www.nomanssky.com/release-log/
Kharpal, A. (2016, August 10). No Man's Sky release: Would you play a game that takes 584 billion years to explore? CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/10/no-mans-sky-release-would-you-play-a-game-that-takes-584-billion-years-to-explore.html
Khatchadourian, R. (2015, May 11). World without end. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/05/18/world-without-end-raffi-khatchadourian
Lutz, D. W. (2009). African “Ubuntu” Philosophy and Global Management. Journal of Business Ethics, 84, 313–328. http://www.jstor.org/stable/27749670
McDonald, K. (2018, July 20). No Man's Sky Next: Hello Games' Sean Murray on harassment, interview. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/games/2018/jul/20/no-mans-sky-next-hello-games-sean-murray-harassment-interview
Olivarez-Giles, N. (2015, June 17). The sci-fi game isn't only wowing gamers with its scale, it's wowing E3 attendees with its use of bright colors to create unique and foreign landscapes. The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-268B-1744
Ruffino, P. (2024). No Man’s Game: The Infinite Boredom of Procedurally Generated Environments. In L. op de Beke, J. Raessens, S. Werning, & G. Farca (Eds.), Ecogames: Playful Perspectives on the Climate Crisis (pp. 415–432). Amsterdam University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.10819591.22
West, A. (2014). Ubuntu and Business Ethics: Problems, Perspectives and Prospects. Journal of Business Ethics, 121(1), 47–61. http://www.jstor.org/stable/42921364
A Case Study of the Princess of Wales' Photoshop Manipulation Incident
By Bethany Adcock
Abstract
After announcing she’d be out of the limelight for some time, the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, recently received many intense questions and assumptions concerning her whereabouts, health, and now photo editing abilities. What was meant to portray and showcase as a loving Mother’s Day post in the United Kingdom, turned miscommunicated, misunderstood, and hurtful within the same day. How is it that the Princess is left apologizing and giving her atonements to others? This study incorporates John Rawls’ Theory of Justice to highlight appropriate decision-making regarding Princess Catherine’s photo editing freedoms and the reactions of the public eye/media.
Keywords: Royal Family, The Princess of Wales, Kensington Palace, Photoshop, Rawls’ Theory of Justice, Veil of Ignorance, Ethics Case Study
Introduction
Editing software and programs dates to the early 1900s and has since expanded into this ‘within a click of a button’ resource. Many individuals use platforms such as Adobe’s Photoshop, Lightroom, and Illustrator for different reasons. Whether that be for professional or personal use, everybody has free range to utilize the tool as they see fit. Regarding the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Royal Family does have a communication team that controls the monarchy website and social media channels that come from Kensington Palace (where the Prince and Princess reside). Head of Digital Engagement for the Royal Family Emma Goodey mentions, “One of the great, but also at times nerve-wracking things about working in communications for the Royal Family, is that the reaction to our work is always high-profile: announcements make front page news, and Facebook posts reach tens of millions of followers” (Royal Family, n.d.) With this type of industry and being at the universal level, the stakes are even higher when creating/posting content considering having the entire world as an audience. This case provides a critical analysis of events before, leading up to, and after the recent Princess of Wales’ photo manipulation, how all stakeholders reacted in consequence, and what circumstances could have occurred instead by using Rawls’ Theory of Justice as an ethical framework.
Background
In the United Kingdom, the government is based and dependent upon a constitutional monarchy. Here, the monarch acts as the Head of State and “undertakes constitutional and representational duties which have developed over one thousand years of history. In addition to these State duties, The Monarch has a less formal role as 'Head of Nation'” (The Royal Household, 2024, para. 4). A few members of the Royal Family include King Charles III, who became the King on September 8, 2022, when the passing of his mother Queen Elizabeth II occurred. The Queen, formerly known as Camilla Rosemary Shand, stands beside and supports the King in all matters. The Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine (Kate), reside in Kensington Palace and conduct different duties in support of the King. Performing charitable work and maintaining the peace within the sector are the most important responsibilities for the Royal family. With this type of commitment, these individuals are constantly in the media and spotlight. In fact, Dr. Laura Clancy, a media lecturer at Lancaster University, states, “The monarchy’s survival relies upon this balance [the balance between visibility and invisibility]. It needs to be visible to be believed, otherwise it remains an intangible institution and the public won’t invest in it. But it can’t be too visible, or its operations are unmasked and questions raised about its purpose in contemporary Britain” (Clancy, 2022, para. 10). Therefore, both the Monarchy and media outlets need each other for survival, but where does the boundary lie when ‘too much’ is enough for the Royal Family? What goes ‘over the threshold’ in terms of privacy and transparency?
Rawls’ Theory of Justice Overview
Rawls’ Theory of Justice is used as the ethical philosophy for this specific case. Rawls’ ideology describes “a universal system of fairness and a set of procedures for achieving it. He advocated a practical, empirically verifiable system of governance that would be political, social, and economic in its effects” (Byars & Stanberry, 2023, para. 1). Rawls based this philosophy on three primary points which include an original position, a veil of ignorance, and unanimity of acceptance of the original position. With more insight on each of the elements later, the individual’s goal in creation of this framework is to bridge the obvious gap between liberty and equality. He focuses on limiting inherent biases to bring about more just and fairer decision- making. “His theory of justice as fairness describes a society of free citizens holding equal basic rights and cooperating within an egalitarian economic system” (Wenar, 2021, para. 5). Based on Rawls’ Theory of Justice, the philosophy prioritizes the seven principles/values of ethics in the order from most to least essential being: justice, freedom/liberty, harmony, humaneness, stewardship, truth, and diversity. As for which stakeholders are prioritized, Rawls’ doctrine protects the care, social security, and liberty of individuals who are less privileged.
Rawls’ strived to build and construct a doctrine that would eliminate inequalities and imbalances amongst individuals and therefore communities. The philosopher states in a revised version of A Theory of Justice, “Now let us say that a society is well-ordered when it is not only designed to advance the good of its members but when it is also effectively regulated by a public conception of justice” (Rawls, 1999, p. 4). Rawls’ also provides two principles that serve as a basis for accomplishing a fair agreement. He states, “First: each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive basic liberty compatible with similar liberty for others. Second: social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are both (a) reasonably expected to be to everyone's advantage, and (b) attached to positions and offices open to all” (Iowa State, 1999, p. 7).
John Rawls makes known the importance of bringing about an equal level playing field with these key principles as the foundation. Therefore, he also delivers three essential concepts for this system. First, to achieve a standard and basic consensus on what is fair and just for all, Rawls’ declares, “In order to do this, one must establish that, given the circumstances of the parties, and their knowledge, beliefs, and interests, an agreement on these principles is the best way for each person to secure his ends in view of the alternatives available” (Rawls, 1999, p. 102-103). By taking this approach, John Rawls’ makes known that as a society each person must first keep in mind what different backgrounds every individual comes from and base decisions on in this way and/or point of view. Essentially, he teaches the concept of taking everyone’s upbringing, values, and circumstances into consideration as the first step to reaching an equal and unbiased decision. In other words, Rawls’ compares the original position to a status quo amongst all parties involved and reached agreements that are fair. Each party is represented equally and not based on random or biased choices (Rawls’, 1999, p. 104). Continuing, as Rawls’ second component in his Theory of Justice, he establishes the idea of a ‘veil of ignorance’. “The Veil is meant to ensure that people’s concern for their personal benefit could translate into a set of arrangements that were fair for everyone, assuming that they had to stick to those choices once the Veil of Ignorance ‘lifts’, and they are given full information again” (Davies, 2019, para. 3). The thinking behind Rawls’ theory proposed that if everyone in a society had a ‘veil’ or shield to hide behind, nobody could tell the others’ status, degree, or hierarchy per say. Therefore, making decisions based on this common idea of placing the veil in front of us helps to bring about more of a fair-minded solution. By implementing the Veil of Ignorance as a solution, this allows for open discussion and consideration from different points of views (Davies, 2019, para. 5).
The Veil of Ignorance is a benefactor in diminishing biased and prejudiced perceptions. Lastly, the unanimity of acceptance of the original position refers to the full acceptance and agreement on societal principles and basic rights. Ackerly (2006) makes a great point by stating how our personal and natural skills do not give us a free pass to implement them into society. They do not make us better than others and they shouldn’t be served as an expectation for others to meet. This type of system seems very diplomatic and one-sided, which is what Rawls’ intended to avoid (Ackerly, 2006, p. 75). By setting the first two elements in place, a society can achieve a more just and collective consensus which completes the third factor as mentioned above. By striving to reach and attain this ideology, John Rawls’ hope ultimately depends on individuals working together as a society to set aside pride/upbringings and view everyone on the same scale. This therefore could bring about an equal and fair standard for all involved. To support the philosopher’s claim, Davies mentions that when defining the word justice, individuals tend to think in biased ways and the choices that will benefit him and/or her personally. Therefore, by intending to ignore this feeling, Rawls’ believed that a society could reject any prejudice and mesh together more in terms of equality (Davies, 2019, para. 3).
Case Narrative-Facts of Case
On Christmas Day, 2023, the Princess of Wales is pictured walking with her three young children and husband to church as part of the royal system's traditions and duties. Meanwhile, she is seen healthy and content during this last public appearance of her. Soon after, on January 17, 2024, Kensington Palace reports that Catherine (commonly known as Kate) Middleton has been admitted to the London clinic. The Kensington Palace (2024), mentioned that same day: Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales was admitted to hospital yesterday for planned abdominal surgery. The surgery was successful and it is expected that she will remain in hospital for ten to fourteen days, before returning home to continue her recovery. Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter. (Kensington Palace, 2024, para. 1) Kate is then announced to be discharged from the London hospital on January 29. “The Princess of Wales has returned home to Windsor to continue her recovery from surgery. She is making good progress” (Kindelan, 2024a, para. 2). A few days pass, and the Princess is then found pictured in a car with her mother Carole Middleton on March 4, 2024. The two are photographed with Kate’s mother driving in Windsor, England. (Kindelan, 2024b, para. 12).
About a week later, on March 10, Kate shares a sentimental post of her three children and herself smiling to celebrate/commemorate Mother’s Day in the United Kingdom. With this being the first official photograph of the Princess spotted by the public and outside world, it received some major backlash, criticism, and speculation. In her social media post, Kate writes, “Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day. C” (Prince and Princess of Wales, 2024). Though intentionally meant to express her gratitude and appreciation for the good wishes regarding her health, many individuals, the press and media found Catherine’s post to be reproduced and dishonest. In fact, the Associated Press news agency investigated the technicalities behind the photo and found the image to be photoshopped and artificially edited. “The image has a range of clear visual inconsistencies that suggest it was doctored. A part of a sleeve on Charlotte’s cardigan is missing, a zipper on Catherine’s jacket and her hair is misaligned, and a pattern in her hair seems clearly artificial” (Landler, 2024, para. 11). From the list of possible edits above, numerous individuals were confused and questioning why Kate would alter this kind of image. Many speculated if she implemented these tools to showcase how she truly looked or hide how she felt health wise. CBS News contributor, Tina Brown comments, “She is indeed [entitled to privacy] and should have it. The problem is that when you released the picture, it is a health update. The picture is a health update saying, 'Look at me, look at us, I'm perfectly fine.' So, of course the world descends on that picture to dissect it” (Ott, 2024, para. 5). With those of the same mindset as Brown, the outside world became quickly skeptical about the Royal Family’s credibility, especially surrounding Kate’s health issues.
Case Analysis Based on Rawls’ Theory of Justice-Principles/Values
If Rawls’ Theory of Justice ethical framework, and specifically the Veil of Ignorance, was implemented in the case above surrounding the Princess of Wales, everyone would be on the same level, and nobody would consider a Royal (like Princess Kate) to be doing the photo manipulation. Or perhaps the opposite; if others did perceive that she was the editor, why should Princess Kate be treated differently than any other photographer? In this way, the value of Justice and Freedom/Liberty are prioritized because every person is treated with the same standards and equal expectations. Harmony, humaneness, and stewardship are each met next because all individuals involved would be making decisions together as one common and fair basis/standpoint. If this happened in the Royal Family’s situation, Catherine would not be scrutinized for just trying out her editing skills or feeling the need to apologize for it either. Coming from an equal and shared point of view, in terms of the veil, allows understanding and reasoning amongst society. Next, the principle of truth is prioritized due to the element of transparency and validity surrounding photo editing. Though Kate did apologize for her miscommunication on the family photo, there must be millions of other editors who implement Photoshop in pictures and do not clarify their usage of it or how much. Lastly, diversity comes secondary to Rawls’ philosophy because it is not immediately affected regarding seeking fairness and equality. Therefore, that leaves us with the question of, would all this chaos and assumptions of transparency be happening around the Royal Family, particularly Kate Middleton’s health? Looking at this situation from Rawls’ point of view, Kate would be perceived as just a common person wanting to experience the tools and editing techniques that Adobe’s Photoshop has to offer.
Stakeholders and Loyalties
The stakeholders in this case include The Prince and Princess of Wales (William and Kate), their three children (George, Charlotte, and Louis), the entire Royal Family, those who reside/work at Kensington Palace. Each one of these individuals is affected whether he and/or she were in the picture or not. Because of the backlash received, this puts each stakeholder’s past, present, and future status at risk in terms of validity and being truthful. Other loyalties considered would be the outside media and photo agencies, news sources, London locals, Getty Images, other photographers, the entire photography profession, and those who keep up to date with the Royal family. The media has an obligation to showcase the Royal family’s charitable services and functions of their life. Yes, the photograph did happen to be artificially edited, but was it ethically correct for these sources to bash and criticize Kate as they did? Even when initially showing gratitude for the good wishes regarding her abdominal surgery, the public and tabloids could not shy away from the flaws of the sweet family photo Kate posted. If decisions, attitudes, and solutions were based on the Veil of Ignorance, the matter would not be as huge of an outburst. Though each stakeholder has liberties and responsibilities to uphold, Rawls’ Theory takes this circumstance and allows every person involved to be on the same ranking. Without status, riches, or royalty, everyone is looked at in the same manner.
Point of Decision
When looking at this situation from the Land et al. (2014) point of decision model, the public and media should respect Kate’s boundaries and understand that she is just a person like us on the inside too. According to John Rawls, if each of us had a veil in front of us, blocking our own sight and others around us, nobody could tell who the other person is or what status they hold in a community. Rawls’ ethical framework of the Theory of Justice would allow the Princess of Wales not to apologize for simply enjoying, and possibly trying to improve upon, her Photoshop editing skills. Again, if this philosophy were used right from the beginning, no person would think or assume a royal would be the one to edit the family photograph. The veil allows us to avoid predisposed opinions and viewpoints. As Rawls once put it, “We should strive for a kind of moral geometry with all the rigor which this name connotes” (Rawls, 1999, p. 105).
Case Resolution
As a response to the skepticism from others, on March 11, 2024, Kate announces and makes a public apology about her most recent post commenting on Twitter, “Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C” (The Prince and Princess of Wales, 2024). With several media and press outlets requesting the original photo, Kensington Palace has declined to do so. This then causes questions such as, “I’m deeply skeptical that there was an ‘original’ and I think it’s a jigsaw of different pictures”, stated Brown (Ott, 2024, para. 7). She does state that the royal palace was amid a staffing transition which could have possibly caused the particular issue. This occurrence then led to multiple news agencies not trusting and confiding in Kensington Palace as a reliable source on March 14. Phil Chetwynd, a news director at Agence France-Presse mentioned in a BBC radio interview that, “No, absolutely not, like with anything when you’re let down by a source, the bar is raised, and we’ve got major issues internally as to how we validate that photo, we shouldn’t have done it, it violated our guidelines, and therefore we sent out notes to all of our team at the moment to be absolutely super more vigilant about the content coming across our desk, even from what we would call trusted sources” (Atkins & Richardson, 2024, para. 5).
Continuing further, on March 19, Getty Images applies an editor's note to a photograph Kate took back in April 2022 of the late Queen Elizabeth II and a few of her great-grandchildren to mark what would have been the royal queen’s 97th birthday. Within the editor’s note, Getty Images states, “Image has been digitally enhanced at source” (Getty Images, 2024, para. 1). Almost instantly, news coverage outlets and agencies are immediately taking note and showcasing what edits are being made. Lastly, after all this turmoil, the Princes of Wales reveals on March 22 to the media and the entire world that she has been diagnosed with cancer. Without identifying what type of cancer, Kate does make known, “This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family” (Shapiro, & Kindelan, 2024, para. 4). As a result, the Royal Family has asked the media and outside world to respect their wishes and allow them this time of peace, privacy, and new reality.
Conclusion
Although being in the Royal Family comes with constant media exposure and surrounded by the public eye, in the end, Kate and her family are just human beings too. The concerns about Kate’s health and whereabouts for months have indeed created a stir. However, is it necessary to backlash and in some incidents mock her for meaning to make a sweet Mother's Day post with some edited details in Photoshop? Furthermore, once announcing her cancer diagnosis, those who gave such hurtful and callous remarks were soon apologetic over the Princess of Wales’ series of events. In fact, Blake Lively, public figure, actress, and entrepreneur serves as a living example. Back in the middle of March, Lively posted a photograph in promotion of her new Betty Buzz beverage brand. The edited photo showcases the individual sitting by the pool, holding her product drink with an irregular and enlarged thumb, and a floating lemon above her head. The once seen Instagram post read, “I’m so excited to share this new photo I just took today to announce our 4 new @bettybuzz & @bettybooze products! Now you know why I’ve been MIA” (Spangler, 2024, para. 3). In this case, the actress took (what was supposed to be Kate’s kindhearted and meaningful post) as a mockery and essentially poked fun at the Princess’ abilities and character. In a way, it all goes back to the common adage, ‘you never know what is going on in someone else’s life’. This truth is prominent surrounding Princess Kate and if only the outside world could look at the situation with a veil of ignorance, covering their biased, opinionated and partial views.
Discussion Questions
1. To what extent should the public and media respect the privacy of celebrities, including their appearance, image or editing techniques?
2. How can the media practice implementing Rawls’ Veil of Ignorance within their type of work?
3. Are there other philosophies that would side with the photo agencies and many individuals’ views on Princess Kate’s Photoshop edited picture?
4. Should the ability to edit photographs be questioned by all, more than just important, wellknown, public figures?
References
Ackerly, B. (2006). John Rawls: An Introduction. Retrieved from https://www-jstororg.zeus.tarleton.edu/stable/3688627searchText=%28Rawls%27s+Theory+of+Justice%2 9+Chapman&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3D%2528Rawls%25 27s%2BTheory%2Bof%2BJustice%2529%2BChapman%26so%3Drel&ab_segments=0 %2Fbasic_search_gsv2%2Fcontrol&refreqid=fastlydefault%3Aa46465e0dca4507dc1161f9727ca9052&seq=1
Atkins, R. & Richardson, S. (2024, March 13). Is seeing still believing? Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001x51p
Byars, S. M., & Stanberry, K. (2023). Business Ethics 2.6 A Theory of Justice. Retrieved from https://openstax.org/books/business-ethics/pages/2-6-a-theory-ofjustice#:~:text=In%20A%20Theory%20of%20Justice,and%20economic%20in%20its%2 0effects
Clancy, L. (2022, September 13). The Media is Central to the Monarchy’s Survival. Will it also be Its Undoing? Retrieved from https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/queen-elizabethking-charles-media-monarchy-survival/
Davies, B. (2019). John Rawls and the Veil of Ignorance. Retrieved from https://open.library.okstate.edu/introphilosophy/chapter/john-rawls-and-the-veil-ofignorance/ Getty Images. (n.d.). Copyright in the photograph is vested in the Prince and Princess of Wales. [Photograph].
Getty Images. Retrieved from https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/copyright-in-the-photograph-is-vested- in-the-prince-and-news-photo./1252045788
Kensington Palace. (2024, January 17). A statement from Kensington Palace. Retrieved from https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2024-01-17/a-statement-from-kensington-palace
Kindelan, K. (2024a, January 29). Princess Kate undergoes abdominal surgery, hospitalized for 1st time. Good Morning America. Retrieved from https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/kate-middleton-released-hospitalafter-abdominal-surgery--106601970?userab=abcn_web_article_ts-208*variant_b776%2Cabcn_mobileweb_article_ep-176*variant_c-815
Kindelan, K. (2024b, March 25). Kate Middleton: A timeline of her cancer diagnosis, surgery and absence from public duties. ABC News. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/amp/GMA/Culture/kate-middleton-surgery-phototimeline/story?id=108017783
Land, M., Fuse, K., & Hornaday, B.W. (2014). Contemporary media ethics: A practical guide for students, scholars and professionals in a globalized world (2nd ed.). Spokane, WA: Marquette Books.
Landler, M. (2024, March 11). Even Photoshop Can’t Erase Royals’ Latest P.R. Blemish. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/world/europe/kate-middletonphoto-princess-wales.html
Ott, H. (2024, March 12). Royal insider says Princess Kate photo scandal shows "wheels are coming off" Kensington Palace PR. CBS News. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/photo-kate-middleton-photo-editing-scandal-royalinsider/
Prince and Princess of Wales [@princeandprincessofwales]. (2024, March 10). “Thank you for your kind wishes and continued support over the last two months. Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day. C The Prince of Wales, 2024 [Photograph]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/C4U_IqTNaqU/?igsh=Z3FlYXZxbjRhaW94 Rawls, J. (1999). A Theory of Justice [PDF document]. Retrieved from https://giuseppecapograssi.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/rawls99.pdf
Rawls, J. (1999). A Theory of Justice [PDF document]. Retrieved from https://www2.econ.iastate.edu/classes/econ362/hallam/readings/rawl_justice.pdf
Royal Family. (n.d.). The role of the monarchy. Retrieved from https://www.royal.uk/the-roleof-the-monarchy
Royal Family. (n.d.). Meet Emma: Head of Digital Engagement. Retrieved from Royal Family Website. Retrieved from https://www.royal.uk/meet-our-peopleemma#:~:text=Emma%20is%20currently%20Head%20of,website%20and%20social%20 media%20channels
Shapiro, E. & Kindelan, K. (2024, March 22). Kate Middleton says she was diagnosed with cancer, is undergoing chemotherapy. Good Morning America. Retrieved from https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/kate-middleton-diagnosed-cancerundergoing-chemotherapy-108392563?userab=abcn_web_article_ts-208*variant_b776%2Cabcn_mobileweb_article_ep-176*variant_c-815&userab=abcn_web_article_ts208*variant_b-776%2Cabcn_mobileweb_article_ep-176*variant_c-815
Spangler, T. (2024, March 23). Blake Lively Apologizes for Mocking Kate Middleton ‘Photoshop Fails’ After Princess Reveals Cancer Diagnosis: ‘Silly Post’ Has ‘Me Mortified’. Variety. Retrieved from https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/blake-livelyapologizes-kate-middleton-photoshop-fails-cancer-1235950390/
The Prince and Princess of Wales. [@KensingtonRoyal]. (2024, March 11). Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing. I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother’s Day. C [Post]. X. https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1767135566645092616
Wenar, L. (2021). John Rawls. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/rawls/
Celebrity Influence and Medication Scarcity: An Ethical Examination through a Communitarian Lens
By Samantha B. Cortez
The healthcare industry has entered uncharted territory in a time when social media and celebrity culture have unprecedented influence. The origins of Ozempic (Semaglutide), a drug that was first created to treat Type-2 diabetes but has recently gained attention for its unanticipated but dramatic weight loss effects, is one remarkable example of this trend (Shmerling, 2023). Celebrities hailing Ozempic's efficacy as a miracle weight-loss tool have taken it outside its initially intended use in medicine, making it a coveted tool for people attempting to fit in with society's standards of beauty and physical attractiveness (Joshu, 2024). In addition to producing a shortage of medications, the ensuing surge in demand has brought up major ethical issues about the rightful consumption of pharmaceuticals, access to healthcare, and the influence of notable individuals on public health. In light of this, the case seeks to analyze the decision-making process associated with celebrity endorsements of Ozempic for weight loss through offering a communitarian framework-based critical study of the ethical implications.
People who depend on semaglutide had significant inconvenience in 2023 when they found themselves unable to refill their prescriptions due to a shortage triggered by an increasing demand for Ozempic, a drug that has been widely used as a diet by social media influencers and celebrities. Christine Blank noted in a February 2023 Drug Topics article that social media trends are reportedly at fault for increasing requests for common diabetes drugs recommended for weight loss. According to Blank, celebrities and influencers on TikTok are posting pictures of themselves before and after shedding pounds, and they attribute drugs like tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and semaglutide (Ozempic) for their achievements (Blank, 2022). In an interview with Drug Topics, Allison Schneider, Novo Nordisk's director of media relations, discussed this matter and emphasized the company's objection to the off-label usage of its drugs. Schneider stressed that Novo Nordisk does not support or encourage the use of semaglutide for weight loss, even if certain medical professionals may prescribe it for that particular reason. Schneider reiterated that semaglutide is not approved for long-term weight management, despite the fact that the FDA has approved it for the medical treatment of type 2 diabetes since 2017 (Blank, 2023).
The paper examines how the decision-making process around celebrity endorsements of Ozempic for non-label use is influenced, as well as how this in turn impacts the medication's supply and demand. Additionally, social media's role in increasing off-label use and magnifying celebrity endorsements is examined, underscoring its important influence on public perceptions and behavior. For the purpose to study the broader implications for patient well-being and healthcare access, ethical questions are considered, particularly through a communitarian perspective. This study analyzes the conflict between the necessity for equal access to essential pharmaceuticals and individual vanity, focusing on the value of prioritizing community welfare and the common good when making healthcare choices from a communitarian perspective. In short, this research reveals the intricate ethical issues related to the influence of celebrities on healthcare and offers perspectives on potential methods to tackle drug scarcity and encourage ethical healthcare practices.
Through their public personalities and media appearances, celebrities—often considered to be arbiters of beauty and fashion—played an essential role in sustaining a trend of a “slim” ideal. Famous people in the entertainment industry, such musicians, actors, and models, came to symbolize the idealized representation of thinness and created unattainable norms for physiques and proportion. Around this time, people started to pay greater attention to weight loss in popular culture, and a number of diet and workout fads achieved appeal. Celebrities, in particular, capitalized on these trends by endorsing products and services designed to help people achieve their desired physique, often emphasizing the importance of discipline, willpower, and self-control. “The result of their study also confirms the influence of celebrity credibility as a celebrity advertisement had a more significant impact on purchase intention of FMCG products than a non-celebrity advertisement. The attention and recognition that celebrities get from the public are said to be the reason why they are regarded as credible or more credible than noncelebrities” (Olaosebikan, 2020). Celebrities were able to showcase their seemingly perfect bodies on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter, which sometimes encouraged extreme dieting and weight loss pills. Celebrity endorsements and social media influencers played a significant role in promoting the off-label use of Ozempic, further exacerbating the demand for the drug and contributing to medication shortages for individuals with genuine medical needs (Joshu, 2024).
Overview of Communitarianism
Communitarian ethics is an ethical framework which emphasizes the significance of the community and its principles in making ethical decisions (Wringe, 2006). In contrast to individualistic ethical views, that place priority on an individual's autonomy and rights, communitarianism emphasizes the dependent relationship of individuals within a society and their collective responsibilities (Callahan, 2003). The idea of the common good, according to which the best interests of the society as a whole comes before the interests of an individual, is central to communitarian ethics. Communitarianism additionally places a strong emphasis on people taking an active role in promoting the welfare of society while cultivating civic virtues. Communitarian ethics aims to set moral norms and principles which promote a feeling of community and shared accountability among its members through ethical training and socialization. “Both versions of communitarianism stress the link between community and morality” (Wringe, 2006). In general, communitarian ethics provide an extensive framework for considering the social context while promoting mutual respect, solidarity, and collaboration which contribute to the thriving of societies.
Facts of the Case
Despite not having FDA approval for this usage, Ozempic—originally approved in 2017 to treat diabetes—and Wegovy, its higher dose equivalent—approved in 2021 to treat obesity—have garnered popularity among influencers, tech leaders, and celebrities for their potential to aid users lose weight effectively (“What Is Ozempic," 2024). These medications have become increasingly common in part as a result of widely recognized endorsements and extensive discussion on social media platforms like TikTok. Drug shortages caused by off-label use have an effect on the individuals who require prescription drugs for permitted purposes. These medications mimic hormones that control hunger and reduce stomach emptying, thereby helping people shed weight. Nevertheless, they come with risks like nausea, dehydration, and more severe issues like pancreatitis and gallstone formation (“What Is Ozempic and Why Is It Getting so Much Attention? (Published 2022),” 2024). The FDA and medical professionals advise against using medications that are not prescribed without proper medical guidance, emphasizing the risks that come from using such powerful drugs without adequate supervision (“What Is Ozempic and Why Is It Getting so Much Attention? (Published 2022),” 2024).
Overview of Ethical Egosim
Ethical egoism is an ethical theory in which people put their own interests and welfare ahead of the well-being of others. According to this school of thought, people ought to prioritize their own happiness or well-being and act in the best interests of themselves, irrespective of the interests or welfare of others (Regis, 1980). According to ethical egoism, people have an ethical responsibility to pursue their own desires, even if doing so involves harming the well-being of others. Edward Regis said he "could not understand or have any insight into other human beings, grasp that they are in pain, and so forth, as ordinary persons, not entirely egoistic, can” (Regis, 1980). This perspective prioritizes individual autonomy and freedom, considering self-interest as the primary motivating factor of ethical behavior. However, ethical egoism has come under scrutiny since it can result in conflicts of interest and selfish behavior since it could disregard the needs of others in an attempt to accomplish personal objectives. Regis further adds:
.... or its requirement of "exclusive" pursuit of self-interest is ambiguous. It may mean either (a) that the egoist ought to do those actions of which he is the sole beneficiary (thus he will be justified in taking those actions which will result in a benefit to himself alone), or (b) that he ought to do only those actions for which his motive is promotion of his interest (thus he is justified in doing actions which will benefit himself along with others, but his reason for acting must be to benefit himself). (Regis, 1980)
Ethical Egoism in this Case
In this particular case, celebrities appear to have predominantly adopted an ethical egoism that places their individual needs and interests above broader issues affecting the community. Celebrities that actively use Ozempic for off-label weight loss and endorse it may be influenced by personal goals like maintaining their public image or attaining a specific body image. Their behavior indicates that they believe their own goals of enhancing their appearance or dropping weight outweigh any possible harm to others, which includes drug shortages for individuals who rely on Ozempic for their management of diabetes (“What Is Ozempic," 2024). This displays a mindset that is more concerned with self-interest than the welfare of society as a whole and is consistent with the egoistic idea of following one's own interests irrespective of the impact on others.
Case Analysis
What if these famous people accepted the communitarian ethical theory instead of to the apparent ethical egoism philosophy? Celebrities who used Ozempic under a communitarian ethical framework would probably work in a way that put the well-being of the community before their personal requirements or interests. They would be mindful of their influence and the potential impact of their support on social norms and public health. Celebrities would think about the wider impact of their actions on the community, including the potential of medication shortages and the importance of keeping trust in healthcare institutions, rather than promoting off-label use for their own benefit. They can decide not to endorse or openly use Ozempic for unapproved purposes, realizing the value of responsible medical resource management and advancing equity and health in the community.
Celebrities have the opportunity to align their actions with the values of society and the betterment of society by using their platform to support causes that prioritize drug access for those who need it most. Celebrities recognize their power and impact. The lives of those taking this prescription drug and those who continue to need it and affected by the shortage are being damaged by its advertising as a quick-fix weight-loss supplement. The ethical consequences of celebrity endorsements have grown more and more important in a world where they possess the capacity to change people's views and behaviors.
The use of Ozempic by celebrities, a medication mainly prescribed for the treatment of diabetes but increasingly being taken off-label for weight loss, offers an interesting framework for analyzing ethical perspectives. Although celebrities have often supported self-interested drives, their encouragement and use of drugs such as Ozempic could shift significantly if they embrace a communitarian ethical theory. A strong dedication to the wellbeing of the community and the common good is at the foundation of communitarian ethics. In contrast with ethical egoism, that places focus on the self-interests of individuals, communitarianism emphasizes the dependent relationship of individuals within society and their shared responsibilities. If celebrities adopted a communitarian perspective, they would make their decisions about using Ozempics on how their behaviors impact society.
Celebrities who embrace communitarian ethics would acknowledge their status as powerful people and consider the potential impact of what they do on the health of others, as opposed to placing their own interests like maintaining a particular body ideal or achieving particular objectives on the front burner. They would be mindful that promoting the off-label use of drugs like Ozempic could lead to a shortage of those treatments, preventing individuals who suffer from diabetes from receiving the required treatment. Celebrities might show their commitment to the well-being of society as a whole and align with their actions with social principles by refraining from promoting the use of pharmaceuticals beyond approved guidelines.
A communitarian approach would also inspire famous people to make use of their influence to support initiatives which encourage fair access to medications and evidence-based medical practices. Instead of using their position to further their own interests, they would use their prominence to spread the word about the value of sensible consumption of medicines and the value of equitable access to treatment. Celebrities would be urged to play an active role in promoting the common good and acknowledge their contribution in establishing cultural standards by adopting this proactive method for ensuring community wellness.
Celebrity behavior raises issues of ethics, but it is also vital to evaluate how their acts impact people who genuinely need medications like Ozempic. For individuals with diabetes, shortages of medications spurred on by a surge in off-label use may have serious repercussions and could jeopardize their health. Such shortages, from a communitarian viewpoint, indicate a failure to put community requirements ahead of one's own. Celebrities add to this problem by supporting off-label use without taking into account its broader implications, underlining the moral importance of communal stewardship of healthcare resources.
Principles and Values
From an ethical egoism viewpoint, the people who took the decisions, particularly the celebrities who promoted Ozempic's off-label use, likely gave more weight to individual freedoms and interests than to the values of the wider community. Ignoring the potential consequences for others, celebrities leveraged their freedom to promote and utilize Ozempic for unauthorized purposes, driven by their personal goals of dropping fat and enhancing their public image. They disregarded the stewardship concept in preference for their own self-interest, neglecting to take into account the appropriate use of medical resources or the effect their actions might have on pharmaceutical shortages. Celebrities may have disregarded the truth principle in their pursuit of personal goals, as evidenced by their endorsement of Ozempic for weight loss, which might have deceived the public about the medication's intended purpose.
Even though there is not any evidence from research to back up Ozempic's off-label use for weight loss, celebrities might have given importance to their personal narratives and experiences and provided selective information to defend their behavior. Their egoistic aim is served by this information manipulation, which puts selfish interests above honesty and truth. Furthermore, because the celebrities neglected to take into account the possible harm to those who actually rely on Ozempic for the treatment of their diabetes, their conduct may have violated the notion of humanity. Celebrities showed a lack of empathy and compassion for those in need by using Ozempic for vanity and endorsing products that exacerbated the drug scarcity. Their self-centered desire of individual goals overshadowed concerns for justice and equity, as they perpetuated disparities in healthcare availability and threatened the welfare of the community.
Celebrities' choices and behaviors would probably vary significantly from those motivated by ethical egoism if they approached the topic of Ozempic usage from a communitarian perspective. Celebrities would think about the community's overall well-being and acknowledge their influence on cultural norms and values rather than putting their own interests and personal gain foremost. They would act in line with values like stewardship and harmony since they would be mindful of the significance of safeguarding medical resources and promoting harmonious society and unity. Celebrities would, from a social perspective, put the humane ideal first, showing empathy and compassion for those who depend on Ozempic for the management of their diabetes. They would be aware of the possible harm—drug shortages and limited access to necessary treatments for vulnerable populations—caused through promoting off-label drug use. Celebrities would aim to reduce harm and promote fair access to healthcare by putting the greater good before their personal interests. This would connect their activities with their common values of justice and fairness.
Even if communitarianism and ethical egoism have different ethical frameworks, there might be a few similarities between the behaviors of famous people who adhere to each philosophy. Even from a communitarian viewpoint, celebrities may nonetheless use their freedom and liberty to advocate specific behaviors or products. But the fundamental distinction can be observed in the fundamental reasons and factors that drive their actions. Various approaches to ethical decision-making and behavior result from communitarianism's commitment to communal well-being and individuals' responsibilities towards one another, while ethical egoism concentrates individual self-interest.
Shareholders and Loyalties
The stakeholders in this case are patients, celebrities accused of using Ozempic, healthcare providers/physicians, pharmaceutical companies, the FDA and other governmental regulatory agencies, and public health organizations. The decision makers of this case are the celebrities who use Ozempic and publicly endorse it for weight loss purposes. The pharmaceutical company, Novo Nordisk has publicly said they do not condone off-label usage (Blank, 2023). Health care providers are the ones who prescribe Ozempic to their patients. They may find themselves in an ethical dilemma when patients ask for prescriptions for drugs that are based on celebrity endorsements.
Guided by the ethical egoism principle, decision-makers—like celebrities—probably put their personal wants and interests ahead of those of other stakeholders. Without taking into consideration the potential impact on other stakeholders, celebrities who are motivated by personal objectives like preserving their public persona or achieving a particular body image may promote or use Ozempic for off-label weight loss. Their behavior indicates that they value their own interests and autonomy over the health of patients who legitimately require Ozempic for the treatment of diabetes or the reputation of the pharmaceutical company which produces the drug. From a communitarian perspective, the decisions made by celebrities would differ significantly and align their actions with communal values of justice, fairness, and solidarity.
Point of Decision
The Land Point-of-Decision Pyramid (Land et al., 2014) guides decision-makers through a sequence of systematic processes to provide an organized method for making ethical decisions. The process starts with choosing of a philosophical framework, like communitarianism, and then continues on to the identification and ranking of stakeholders according to how important they are to this particular ethical issue. Afterwards, an in-depth examination of the issue's factual history is carried out in order for decision-makers to compile any relevant information. Decision-makers then weigh conflicting ethical principles, taking into consideration concepts like liberty, justice, truth, and stewardship. Ultimately, after considering all of this into consideration, a decision is made that respects the adopted ethical framework, solves the issues of ethics that have been identified, and puts stakeholder needs into consideration.
Making sure that Ozempic is still accessible to people with Type-2 diabetes would be of the utmost importance for decision-makers adopting the Land model. The communitarian framework, which values responsible handling of resources and collective well-being, lends support to this conclusion. Stricter regulations on prescribing processes, outreach efforts to reduce the demand generated by celebrity endorsements, and research into non-traditional weight-loss regimens should all be taken to reduce the strain on Ozempic supplies.
Case Resolution
According to the American Society of Hospital Pharmacists’ (ASHP) website, there is still a semaglutide injection shortage. It states that the reason for the Ozempic shortage is, “due to increased demand.” It continues, “Novo Nordisk has discontinued Ozempic 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg dose strength in the 2 mg/1.5 mL presentation.” (Drug Shortage Detail: Semaglutide Injection, 2016)
Conclusion
A communitarian perspective provides an understanding regarding the ethical dilemmas surrounding the Ozempic scarcity resulting from off-label use and celebrity endorsements. It is ethically necessary to give equal access to healthcare resources as well as ethical utilization of medicines top priority, as communitarianism emphasizes the value of community welfare and the common good. Using this lens, it is clear that addressing drug shortages as well as promoting ethical healthcare practices are crucial factors in establishing a society that is simultaneously healthier and more just.
The research presented here makes it abundantly apparent that social media and celebrity culture have an impact on healthcare practices. It also stresses the importance of increasing awareness of and thoroughly investigating the messages that influencers and celebrities convey. Furthermore, in order to strike a balance between individual autonomy and the well-being of the community, healthcare professionals and regulatory organizations need to keep being alert in addressing the ethical issues surrounding off-label usage of drugs and medication shortages. A healthcare system that puts justice, fairness, and the wellbeing of all citizens first can be developed among stakeholders implementing communitarian principles and encouraging a culture of ethical healthcare practices. We can address societal issues such as shortages of medicine and encourage beneficial social change in the health care sector by collaborating and taking collective action. This will ensure that healthcare resources are allocated fairly and that the most vulnerable members of society are not adversely affected by the acts of a wealthy individuals.
Discussion Questions
- Have you heard of any instances where celebrities or social media influencers have endorsed the use of off-label drugs for cosmetic purposes? What effect do you think that these endorsements have on public health?
- In the context of off-label drug usage, how do you believe community well-being and personal autonomy intersect? Do one's own desires ever serve as justification for actions that might jeopardize the community as a whole?
- What kind of an impact do you believe social media and peer pressure have on the choices individuals make about healthcare, especially when it comes to using off-label drugs for non-medical purposes?
- How should regulatory agencies monitor and control the use of pharmaceuticals off-label, particularly in light of new trends caused by social media and celebrity culture?
- What could be learned from previous instances of medication shortages and off-label drug use?
References
Blank, C. (2022). Major Diabetes Medications in Short Supply. Formulary Watch, NA. https://link-gale-com.zeus.tarleton.edu/apps/doc/A776680145/AONE?u=txshracd2559&sid=googleScholar&xid=59280d17.
Blank, C. (2023, February). High Demand Keeps Some Diabetes Medications in Short Supply: Pharmaceutical companies are experiencing supply chain disruptions and shortages because of the popularity of diabetes drugs used for weight loss. Drug Topics, 167(2), 16. https://link-gale-com.zeus.tarleton.edu/apps/doc/A738088393/HRCA?u=txshracd2559&sid=googleScholar&xid=06aecc67.
Callahan, D. (2003). Principlism and communitarianism. Journal of Medical Ethics, 29(5), 287–291. https://doi.org/10.1136/jme.29.5.287.
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Land, M., Fuse, K., & Hornaday, B. W. (2014). Contemporary media ethics: A practical guide for students, scholars and professionals in a globalized world (2nd ed.). Spokane, WA: Marquette Books.
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Fallout of Alabama Baseball Coach Brian Bohannon's Gambling Scandal Using Ethics of Trust
By Nate Bural
Abstract
In one of the greatest baseball gambling scandals since Pete Rose earned a lifetime ban from Major League Baseball in 1989, the NCAA issued the largest ban to a college coach in its history. Former head coach of the University of Alabama baseball program, Brian Bohannon, was fired on May 4, 2023, and on February 1, 2024 received a 15-year show-cause order that – in theory – has ended his baseball coaching career. This case study focuses on the actions taken by Bohannon and how they violated Watsuji’s Ethics of Trust. The Ethics of Trust talks about the importance of interconnectedness between us as humans and the need for that trust for us to function in a social community. If that implied level of trust doesn’t exist, would families entrust the well-being of their children to head coaches? Without a level of trust between coaches, players, and their families, the entire landscape of college athletics would cease to exist. Bohannon’s actions violated that trust and put the future of the NCAA at risk. The NCAA responded with the harshest punishment in the history of the organization, but was it enough to restore the trust?
Keywords: Baseball, NCAA, Bohannon, Neff, Alabama, gambling, Ethics of Trust
Putting a Price on Trust: Analyzing the Fallout of Alabama Baseball Coach Brian Bohannon's Gambling Scandal Using Ethics of Trust
America’s pastime. Baseball began in America in the 1840s and is as much a staple of our country as a bald eagle and apple pie. Baseball was painted as a uniquely American creation, free of influence from all other games and all other cultures. During its inception, baseball to an American was defined as being what cricket is to an Englishman (Nemec et al., 2005, p. 8). Baseball has a reputation of being a sport of nostalgia. Fathers and sons together eating hot dogs and Cracker Jack enjoying the beautiful sunshine watching their favorite players’ journey to etch their names alongside legendary figures. Players looking to be the next Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, or Hank Aaron. James Earl Jones’ character, Terence Mann, in the movie Field of Dreams says (Robinson, 1989):
They'll walk out to the bleachers and sit in short sleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game, and it'll be as if they'd dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick, they'll have to brush them away from their faces… The one constant through all the years, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It's been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game -- it's a part of our past. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again.
According to the complete team statistics database (NCAA.com, 2024), there are 922 intercollegiate baseball teams in the U.S. and Canada, including 295 at the NCAA Division I level. After a regular season of no more than 56 games, NCAA Division I baseball teams who qualify for their respective conference championship tournaments can compete for the right to advance to the NCAA playoffs. Every conference has unique rules wherein the conference tournament champion will receive an automatic qualifying berth (AQ) in the national playoffs. Once the AQ teams are decided, an NCAA selection committee determines the at-large berths to bring the total playoff field to 64 teams. In 2023, the regional round was played at 16 various locations around the nation with four teams at each site. The winners from each region are reseeded for a Super Regional round to bring the total number of teams down to its final eight. Finally, those remaining eight teams are sent to Omaha, Nebraska for the Men’s College World Series – a double-elimination tournament to determine the NCAA Division I National Champion (NCAA, 2023). The 2023 NCAA Men’s College World Series (MCWS) marked the most-watched MCWS on ESPN platforms on record. The 16-game postseason averaged 1.65 million viewers across the platforms, up 48% from the 2022 MCWS (McKay, 2023, para. 1).
The NCAA’s stance on gambling in any sport is very clear – #DontBetOnIt. Student-athletes, coaches, or athletic staff are not permitted to place wagers on any sport sponsored by the NCAA, including all levels from youth to professional. Even their state permits or promotes sports betting—it is not permitted by the NCAA. Those caught sports wagering in violation of the NCAA bylaws risk their eligibility as a student-athlete or position as a coach and/or administrator (NCAA.org, 2007, Bylaw 10.02.1).
Just recently, baseball gambling reached out of the professional ranks and infiltrated the NCAA level with the first sanctioned penalty. Alabama Head Coach Brad Bohannon was terminated and given a 15-year show-cause order. Any NCAA institution that hires Bohannon must suspend him for "100% of the baseball regular season for the first five seasons of his employment" (Purdum, 2024, para. 3)
The Bohannon gambling scandal begs the question of the NCAA’s power and authority, as well as the NCAA’s ethical commitment to doing what is in the best interest of student-athletes all around the country. The NCAA’s ethical judgment has been in serious question for some time, but choosing such a weak punishment for potentially the largest scandal in the history of one of its premier sports makes a powerful statement.
Theoretical Discussion of Ethics of Truth
Watsuji Tetsurō was a prominent Japanese philosopher in the early 20th century. Watsuji argued that focusing on individuals overlooks our connection as the human race. We exist within a network of social connections that shape who we are, and we will always be influenced by our cultural and social backgrounds (Carter & McCarthy, 2019a, sec. 3).
Three key points about the Ethics of Trust are reliance on others, belief in other’s integrity, and reciprocity. Trust is a two-way street. The relationship between a head coach, the student-athlete, and their family needs this level of trust to be maintained in order for collegiate athletics to thrive. When a coach recruits a player, there is an implied sense of parental transfer of responsibility. A young person leaving home for the first time to learn adulthood while still under the care of this head coach, who makes an ethical commitment by NCAA standards to care for their well-being (NCAA, 2024, sec. 2).
Watsuji’s view on ethics as the study of how we maintain and nurture our social connections, acknowledging the importance of both individuality and collective well-being in creating harmonious societies. Carter and McCarthy (2019b, sec. 3) states:
(Watsuji) cautions that it is imperative to recognize that a human being is not just an individual but is also a member of many social groupings. We are individuals, and yet we are not just individuals, for we are also social beings; and we are social beings, but we are not just social beings, for we are also individuals. Many who interpret Watsuji forget the importance which he gave to this balanced and dual nature of a human being. The Japanese word for ethics is rinri, which is composed of two characters, rin and ri. Rin means ‘fellows,’ ‘company,’ and specifically refers to a system of relations guiding human association. Ri means ‘reason,’ or ‘principle,’ the rational ordering of human relationships. These principles are what make it possible for human beings to live in a cooperative community.”
Trust between people serves as a basis for morality and creates, at least a one-way, appeal for the responsibility for that person’s well-being (Myska, 2008, p. 2). Especially regarding professionals and youths today. Beginning at a young age, there is a sense of trust when allowing your children to go into someone else’s care – starting with choosing the right babysitter or daycare and ultimately ending with college or even marriage. There is an instinctual drive in the parent for trust in the person to whom their child is entrusted. When an 18- to 22-year-old student-athlete commits themselves to a college or a program, they are putting their trust and the trust of their family into the leader of that program. It’s a one-way transfer of trust with blind faith of reciprocation.
Using this example of principles, the values deeply rooted in this philosophy are stewardship, humaneness, and truth.
Case Narrative
The University of Alabama has a long history of excelling in NCAA competition. Their football team has won 18 national championships in their illustrious history, bringing fame and notoriety to all their NCAA programs. The baseball program is another program with a long history of success. Tide Baseball has won 14 SEC championships, second most in the league behind only Louisiana State University (LSU) and has qualified for the NCAA College World Series five times. In the mid 2010s, Alabama’s baseball program was in disarray. They had changed head coaches twice in a three-year period before tapping Brian Bohannon to bring their program back to prominence in 2017.
Bohannon was an instant success. After making an eight-game improvement on the previous season, his second year saw the Tide return to 30 wins on the season for the first time since 2016. Bohannon and the Tide were off to an incredible 16-1 start in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic ended the season and the following year, Alabama made a triumphant return to the NCAA regional tournament for the first time since 2014. Bohannon would coach through the 2023 season with a total record of 178-128 with three SEC Tournament appearances, two regional showings, and a trip to the CWS Super Regional round in 2023 (Baseball Reference, 2024).
On April 28, 2023, Alabama was scheduled to play in Baton Rouge against No. 1 LSU. This was arguably one of the most anticipated events of the day because of their prominent stature in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). However, suspicious activity close to game time would ultimately create a ripple effect around nation. The suspicious activity alerted the Ohio Casino Control Commission and U.S. Integrity, a Las Vegas-based company that identifies suspicious behavior by analyzing changes in betting data against a benchmark of normal betting activity. They monitor the data to see if discrepancies coincide with notable player or coaching events, reveal officiating abnormalities, or are indicative of the misuse of insider information (U.S. Integrity, 2024).
On that day, the starting pitcher for Alabama was supposed to be sophomore Luke Holman. In 2023, Holman was in his second year with Alabama and was enjoying what would go on to be his best season. He finished the 2023 season 7-4 with a 3.67 earned run average and was a second-team all-region selection. Against LSU, however, he was a late scratch and replaced by relief pitcher Hagan Banks, who was told he was starting “an hour before” first pitch (University of Alabama Athletics, 2023, para. 5). Banks was a solid relief pitcher for the Tide who would finish the 2023 season with a 3.48 earned run average in 33.2 innings of work. Banks, however, was making only his fourth collegiate start and just the second of his career against an SEC opponent.
Before that announcement was made official, an Ohio bettor attempted to make a large bet on Alabama to lose and told the staff at the BetMGM Sportsbook in Cincinnati, “If only you guys knew what I know” (Kelly, 2024, para. 10-13). After the game, the executive director of the Ohio Casino Control Commission stopped accepting all bets on Alabama baseball, U.S. Integrity sent communication to its clients to avoid betting on the team (Alvarez, 2023, para. 2-4), and two days later the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement instructed all sportsbooks in the state to suspend wagering on all contests involving University of Alabama baseball (Alvarez, 2023). The states of Indiana and Pennsylvania would also follow suit. Less than a week later, on May 4, Bohannon was fired for “among other things, violating the standards, duties, and responsibilities expected of university employees" (Purdum, 2023, para. 3)
The investigation showed that on the day of the April 28 game at LSU, Bohannon texted a man, later identified as Bert Neff, who he knew to be engaged in gambling on Alabama baseball. A text message from Bohannon revealed, “HAMMER … (Student-athlete) is out for sure … Lemme know when I can tell LSU… Hurry." Neff then proceeded to place a $100,000 bet on Alabama to lose the game (FOX Sports, 2024, para. 5).
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said (Purdum, 2023, para. 15):
The University of Alabama has taken swift action after information about baseball sports wagering activity was questioned by industry regulators. Ensuring the integrity of athletic competition is our highest priority, and for that purpose the SEC monitors gambling activity through its relationship with US Integrity and has done so since 2018. There must be zero tolerance for activity that puts into question the integrity of competition. We will remain in communication with the University throughout its ongoing review and will have no further comment at this time.
Ethics of Trust Approach
Several factors are at play here in regard to ethics of trust. There’s a level of trust between university and head coach, there’s a level of trust between Conference/NCAA and the university, and there’s a level of trust between coach and player (NCAA, 2024, sec. 2). Bohannon’s actions created a clear breach of trust between all the relationships in question. He disregarded his moral responsibility of integrity to put the success of his student-athletes above himself, which in turn violates an inherent responsibility all head coaches make to the families of their players. Using the ethics of trust model, the key values involved those that bring a level of human connection such as stewardship, humaneness, and truth.
Principles/Values
Initially, the first value Bohannon put at risk is stewardship. As the head coach of a program, you have been entrusted with a lot of responsibility: the well-being of your players and staff, as well academics, budget, and administrative duties. Being named the head coach of a program, much less one as prestigious at the University of Alabama, comes with an inherent responsibility to the program. After scratching his starting pitcher and reverting to the reliever for the game, Bohannon showed a blatant disregard for stewardship with a lack of faith in his new pitcher.
The definition of humaneness is the quality of compassion or consideration for others. Bohannon violated this value with self-serving actions. The decision to allow one man in on his professional decision making, with the potential (because the intent has not been revealed) for personal gains, undermined his respect and integrity for his players, fans, and the entire university. It also showed a complete disregard for compassion for his new pitcher. By waiting until an hour before the game to decide, shows a lack of empathy for the original starter’s injury as well as the success of the new pitcher by not having someone prepared in the instance the starter is unable to pitch.
When adopting an Ethics of Trust approach, it's crucial to instill a strong belief in the locker room. The main goal should always be to put student-athletes in the best position to win. Knowing that Holman was dealing with back tightness and could potentially be unavailable, the staff could have been prepared internally with a backup plan – even if that plan was Banks all along. Bohannon stating that Banks only knew “an hour before” seemed like a failed attempt to push Holman beyond his physical limitations.
Stakeholders
Several stakeholders are at risk in this situation, beginning with Bohannon. The choice ultimately ended his collegiate coaching career, and because the cause of his punishment is a global issue that affects college and professional levels, likely his baseball career entirely.
The players on his team, who were enjoying renewed success during his tenure, that now found themselves without a head coach. All the players on the team suffered a betrayal of trust, as did their families who entrusted the care of their sons to Bohannon and the coaching staff. Also, the team and university staff whose careers will forever be tied to this scandal, primarily from a direct affiliation such as assistant coaches and administrators. The university as a whole also suffered damage to its reputation and ultimately took multiple punishments from the NCAA despite dismissing Bohannon.
Fans of baseball and all other sports from around the world who will forever question the integrity of coaches and players competing at the highest level. For sports alone, betting on games has become a phenomenon. In 2022, the market size of the sports betting and lottery sector worldwide was valued at over $235 billion. This figure shows a decrease from the previous year's total of $242.82 billion. By 2023, the market was forecast to increase to $242 billion (Statista, 2023). With this much action happening all around the world, there will inevitably be a lost sense of trust between fans, players, and coaches moving forward. When coaches make questionable calls in a game that seem odd, will there forever be a black cloud associated with the move that could lead to gambling? Social media evidence shows, even now, 18- to 22-year-old student-athletes, using basketball for example, choose to take the game into their own hands and miss a game-winning shot instead of passing to a teammate and are now berated online by bettors. Now more than ever, it’s a coach’s responsibility to protect student-athletes from these situations whenever possible.
Decision
After a near eight-month investigation by the NCAA, Bohannon received the harshest penalty ever sanctioned by league, becoming the third person ever to receive a 15-year show-cause order. NCAA.org, 2023, Bylaw 19.02.03 states:
A show-cause order is an order that requires a member institution to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Committee on Infractions why it should not be subject to a penalty or additional penalty for not taking appropriate disciplinary or corrective action with regard to an institutional staff member or representative of the institution's athletics interests found by the Committee on Infractions as having been involved in a violation of NCAA bylaws.
This also means that any employing NCAA member institution shall restrict Bohannon from any athletically related position. If Bohannon becomes employed during the show-cause period, he will be suspended for 100% of the baseball regular season for the first five seasons of his employment. In addition to Bohannon’s personal show-cause, the University of Alabama received three years’ probation, a $5,000 fine, and is required to retain a firm to provide comprehensive gambling education to student-athletes, coaches and athletics administrators (Cahill, 2024, para. 3). Neff has been charged with obstructing a federal grand jury investigation and faces up to 10 years in prison (Purdum, 2024, para. 12).
Under a philosophy of trust, Bohannon would have avoided this situation entirely because his trust would belong solely to the team and their well-being. With the student-athlete’s well-being at the forefront of his decision making, there likely would have been a stronger plan in place that would have inspired confidence in their ability to win the game – as opposed to a kneejerk negative reaction of defeat shared outside the two-way street of trust between the players and staff under his care.
Had the NCAA levied punishment with student-athletes in mind, there should have been a larger precedent to never allow Bohannon the opportunity to work with NCAA student-athletes again. Through the ultimate betrayal of trust, yes the punishment is harsh on paper, but ultimately it’s nothing more than a five-year suspension from actual coaching.
Conclusion
The Brad Bohannon gambling scandal will go down as one of the clumsiest mistakes in the history of the NCAA and will be on the NCAA’s radar for the next 15 years (through 2039). But what happens in the year 2040? Bohannon is 48 years old so after 15 years, assuming he remains in good health, he’s 63 years old. Due to the slow pace of baseball, it’s common for head coaches to continue well into their 70s before retiring. Should Brad Bohannon ever be allowed to coach again?
Time will tell if the NCAA’s punishment fit the crime and he could be back coaching again after five years. Due to the definition of his penalty, if he is employed any time in the next 15 years, he is suspended for 100% of regular season baseball games. In theory, Bohannon could take a job at minimal pay for a lower-level program (Division II or III) and serve as an advisor for five years then be back coaching immediately after that under the shadow of a show-cause.
Looking at some of Major League Baseball’s punishments against gambling, Bohannon’s punishment is nothing more than a slap on the wrist. According to History.com, 2024:
In the early 20th century, some of baseball’s most talented and well-known players, such as “Turkey” Mike Donlin and Hal Chase, as well as manager John McGraw, who publicly won $400 when his New York Giants won the World Series in 1905, were often suspected of gambling on their own games. Chase was considered a dangerous man to have on a team because of his willingness to make extra money by dropping fly balls or misplaying first base. It was common then for players and coaches to make money, betting on themselves to win games. If players were willing to bet against themselves, they likely just weren’t signed to play.
All things came to a head in 1919 with the infamous, Black Sox Scandal. In August 1915, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson was traded to the Chicago White Sox for $31,500 cash and three players. The White Sox were a talented team, winning the World Series in 1917 and the American League pennant in 1919. They were the heavy favorites to beat Cincinnati in the 1919 World Series, but the Reds ultimately won the series. In response to suspicions that the White Sox were under the influence of sports bookies, Joe Jackson and seven other White Sox players, were accused of conspiring to throw the 1919 World Series (The Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Baseball Library, 2024). This led Major League Baseball to hire its first commissioner, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, a former federal judge.
In the late 1980s, a major scandal rocked major league baseball again when one of the greatest hitters of all-time, Pete Rose, who was now the manager of the Cincinnati Reds was accused of gambling on his own team. It was known in baseball circles since the 1970s that Pete Rose had a gambling problem. Although, at first, he bet only on horse races and football games, allegations surfaced in early 1989 that Rose was not only betting on baseball, but on his own team. Major League Baseball Commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti began an inquiry and hired Washington lawyer John Dowd to head the investigation. Dowd compiled hundreds of hours of testimony from numerous sources that detailed Rose’s history of gambling on baseball while serving as the manager of the Cincinnati Reds, including betting on his own team. Although Rose continued to proclaim his innocence, he was eventually persuaded to accept a settlement that included a lifetime ban from the game. At a subsequent press conference, Giamatti characterized Rose’s acceptance of the ban as a no-contest plea to the charges against him. In 2004, after years of repeated denials, Rose published My Prison Without Bars, in which he finally confessed to gambling on the Reds, though he added that had always bet on the Reds to win. Because of the lifetime ban, Rose cannot work in Major League Baseball, and, despite his stellar playing career, he is not eligible for the Hall of Fame (History.com, 2024).
Bohannon’s punishment is the largest sanction against a baseball coach in the history of the NCAA, but compared to the sport, the punishment does not fit the crime. He cast aside his integrity, his compassion, and his morals for cash despite earning a salary of a half-million per year from Alabama.
The SEC and the University of Alabama should be commended for their treatment and swift action towards the coach. In a league and at a school with such an immense reputation, neither the school nor the conference could afford such a dark cloud to hang over one of its programs – especially heading into the College World Series. With their head coach being 30-15 at the time of his firing, the decision would not have been an easy one for an athletic director. Greg Byrne, the AD for Alabama, certainly would have passed the Ethics of Trust for this decision. However, the NCAA’s weak punishment for a potentially earth-shattering scandal is a prime example of “me greater than we” mentality.
After the White Sox scandal in 1919, trust in Major League Baseball was restored with the implementation of a commissioner. This position is someone solely dedicated to the game of baseball, bringing a new standard for the commitment of trust between players, coaches, and fans. The NCAA could stand to take a page from the professional playbook and reevaluate how they reignite trust at the collegiate ranks.
References
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She’s Drunk, But Should She Go Home? A Case Study Using Dialogic Ethics
By Jenna Petrohoy
Abstract
Elle King was drunk and did not want to go home. This is what began the evening of Dolly Parton’s 78th birthday celebration at the Grand Ole Opry in the Ryman Auditorium when King got on stage to perform. The purpose of this case study is to critique the Opry’s decision using dialogic ethics as a framework to provide further insight. Dialogic ethics is an ethical philosophy where there is a conversation between two or more parties to come to a point of a decision. Using Land’s model, humaneness, truth, and harmony have been identified as major principles and values of dialogic ethics. Under dialogic ethics, all stakeholders would engage in conversation face-to-face, to come to a decision regarding the situation. The Opry would apologize and ask for understanding of the situation by explaining that King is human and makes mistakes. They would still apologize to the audience members for a performance sub-par of their expectations but encourage empathy towards all stakeholders. Studying this case can provide a reminder that conversation through social media and the internet is not necessarily dialogue. Human qualities such as facial expressions, body language, and intonation are missed from the medium resulting in a lack of connection, deeper meaning, and thorough resolution.
Keywords: Elle King, Dolly Parton, Grand Ole Opry, Musician, Dialogical Ethics
Introduction
Elle King was drunk and did not want to go home. This is what began the evening of Dolly Parton’s 78th birthday celebration at the Grand Ole Opry in the Ryman Auditorium, when King got on stage to perform. Her inebriation was obvious as expletives boomed off the walls. She received major backlash for her behavior as audience members and online fans were upset. The purpose of this case study is to critique the Opry’s decision using dialogic ethics as a framework to provide further insight.
Elle King
Elle King is a pop, country, and rock artist who has blazed genres (Opry). She is the daughter of Rob Schneider and London King and grew up in the limelight (Opry). She is best known for her songs “Ex’s & Oh’s” and “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home).” Her personality is loud and vivacious, and her music represents this as well. King is a multi-platinum and award-winning artist in both rock and country genres (Red Light Management).
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton is an icon, for both her music, fashion, and acting. She came to fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and her career only exploded upwards (Opry). Parton’s looks have been a major part of her brand as she continues to empower others using her platform. Her iconic songs such as “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” alongside her performances in 9 to 5 and Rhinestone have brought her name to millions of households across the world (Country Music Hall of Fame 2023). Her accomplishments in music also align with her business accomplishments, in the opening of her theme park Dollywood, and record label Dolly Records (Country Music Hall of Fame 2023). As of the present, she has won thirteen Academy of Country Music Awards, nine Country Music Awards, and ten Grammys (Country Music Hall of Fame 2023).
Dialogic Ethics
Dialogic ethics is an ethical philosophy established by Martin Buber, Emmanuel Levinas, Jurgen Habermas, and Mikhail Bakhtin (Arnett, 2008; Nealson, 1997). Each philosopher adds various pieces to the dialogic theory, and how it should be used in practice. Overall, the practice of dialogic ethics is in the name – dialogue. There is a conversation between two or more parties to come to a point of a decision. However, dialogic ethics goes much deeper than merely a conversation. According to Jeffrey Nealson (1997, p. 131), “it is precisely in the movements of seeking, listening, and answering that intersubjective ethics of response might be born.” In these “movements,” deeper understanding can be created between two parties. The dialogue must be deeper than a light conversation or small talk, in order to provide this meaning. Arnett (2008) dives deeper into dialogic ethics by stating it is “a historically responsive answer to differing ethical backgrounds that situate contrary and contrasting senses of the ‘good’” (p. 79). These different backgrounds could be two parties disagreeing on the right answer, or the answer that will provide the best outcome for all. In order to provide a responsive answer to the dilemma at hand, the dialogue must deepen beyond a conversation. Imre Ungvári-Zrínyi (2003) describes how this dialogue “consists in the transcendence of the ego’s isolation and the instrumentalist character of their connections by emphasizing the elements of encounter, the recognition of otherness, and the cooperation in carrying their interests into effect” (p. 237). In other words, both parties must recognize the humanity in one another and that no one person is considered better than the other. The discussion must revolve around speaking one’s truth, listening to that truth, and then responding. Gurvetich (1990) suggests thinking of one another as an alien in another universe, attempting to find understanding between one another. Deep explanation and thought into one’s words will help transform a conversation into dialogue.
Land Decision Pyramid
The Point of Decision Pyramid (Land et al., 2014) is the method used in this case analysis to provide deeper insight into the ethical decisions made on a public scale. It allows the analyst to remove any preconceived biases or judgments and view the situation through a new lens. It starts at the base by identifying an ethical philosophy to follow. Next, it establishes the facts of the case, the values and principles aligned with the base philosophy, and any stakeholders or loyalties. Finally, it determines a decision based on processes identified previously (Johnson, n.d.).
Facts of Case
Our case begins at the Opry’s birthday celebration for Dolly Parton, at the Ryman Auditorium. To celebrate Parton’s 78th birthday, the Opry invited several artists to play some of her best hits. The event was ticketed, allowing a live audience to share in the celebrations. Elle King was one of the artists set to play. During her time on stage, she performed Parton’s song, “Marry Me” along with her bandmates. As she was performing the tribute, she began to sing the incorrect lyrics (Farthing, 2024). King appeared inebriated on stage while performing due to her movements and not knowing the words. She then confirmed her state when she told the audience “Hi my name is Elle King. I’m f*cking hammered” (Farthing, 2024). She continuously asked the audience to not tell Dolly, that they paid for her poor performance but were not getting their money back (Farthing, 2024).
A few videos of the performance went viral on social media, with a wave of backlash for the singer’s performance on X (Farthing 2024). One audience member, Judas Belmont shared on X “I wish she would’ve been there because Elle King ruined the night with her horrible, drunk, and profane performance. Dolly Parton would’ve been mortified. For our first time at The Opry, it was a shame we all had to witness that” that gained major attention by the Opry (Belmont, 2024; TMX & Van de Riet, 2024).
Case Analysis
Principles and Values
Using Land’s model, three principles and values have been identified as major aspects of dialogic ethics (Land et. al. 2014). Humaneness takes the most precedence since dialogic ethics is comprised of connecting to the human qualities in each other. Under humaneness, the Opry would sit down with King and have a conversation as to why she behaved the way she did. They would try to gain a deeper understanding of her human emotions, qualities, and behaviors through conversation. The Opry would also contact the audience members and try to have a dialogue regarding their feelings toward the performance. Focusing on meeting people face-to-face and discussing the matters at hand with the notion of humaneness would help solidify a decision.
Truth is the second principle and value with utmost weight in this case. For true dialogue and human connection to proceed, there must be a level of trust instated that will allow each person to feel comfortable speaking their truth. In dialogic ethics, there is no superior or seniority, every person is human which levels this playing field. This can allow people to feel comfortable speaking the truth about their actions and feelings. The Opry also needs to tell their stakeholders the truth regarding the situation and be honest if providing a statement to the public.
The last value is Harmony. In dialogue, there may be arguments or debates, but remaining harmonious will allow for thorough discussion to be held. It may seem contradictory to hold harmony as a principle when people may hold back their thoughts to keep the peace. However, in true dialogue, people can share their truth without being disrespectful or demeaning to the other person. Emotions may be expressed, but keeping harmony between the parties will allow for truth to be shared comfortably and accurately.
Stakeholders and Loyalties
In this case, there are several shareholders due to the presence of social media. To begin, Elle King is the primary shareholder, due to her performance and public presence in the music industry. Next, there is the Opry, renowned for its presentations of country artists. They are who invited King to perform during Parton’s birthday celebration. The audience members during the performance are also shareholders in this case since they purchased tickets to witness the event in person. They spent their money to witness an enjoyable and entertaining performance celebrating Dolly Parton. Parton is also a shareholder in this case since the performance was in celebration of her birthday. The entire evening was about Parton, including the artists performing her songs.
Due to the performance going viral on the internet and social media, fans of King, the Opry, and Parton were able to voice their opinions on the matter. Once a video of this caliber goes viral, it’s hard, or even nearly impossible to stop its spread. This means viewers of the performance online, who may not be included as fans, can be considered shareholders. In a sense, they were audience members too of King’s performance due to their ability to partake in the conversation regarding the controversy.
Point of Decision
Under dialogic ethics, all stakeholders would engage in conversation face-to-face. They would follow the obligation to speak, listen, and respond (Gurvetich, 1990). This would be difficult to achieve in reality since so many stakeholders are involved. Keeping dialogic ethics in mind, the key stakeholders, King, Parton, and the Opry would meet to discuss the performance. Each would come to a meeting with the understanding that each person is human, in order to recognize deeply why the behavior took place (Ungvári-Zrínyi, 2003). The Opry, King, and Elle could conduct a meeting with the audience members as well, to recognize their thoughts on the matter, and gain more understanding between all parties.
Should the Opry apologize on behalf of King’s behavior to the public? Yes, but their apology will take into consideration humaneness, harmony, and truth regarding the dialogue that occurred. Ticketholders and audience members are large stakeholders so their voices would need to be recognized. However, a dialogue between the Opry, King, and the audience would allow for more understanding of why King made the choices she did. The Opry would ask for understanding of the situation by explaining that King is human and makes mistakes. They would still apologize to the audience members for a performance sub-par of their expectations but encourage empathy towards all stakeholders.
Case Resolution
On January 20, the Opry responded to Belmont’s tweet apologizing. They said, “Hi Judas, we deeply regret and apologize for the language that was used during last night’s second Opry performance” (Grand Ole Opry, 2024). Then on January 25, King announces she is rescheduling 5 shows on her Instagram (Lenthang, 2024). She does not explain why, but her followers assume it is due to the scandal surrounding her performance. During this time people are questioning why she has not made a statement. They also are questioning Parton’s feelings on the matter. On February 13, Parton commented on the situation in an interview with Extra (Brito, 2024). She says King had a little too much to drink and is human (Brito, 2024). She asks for folks to forgive King for her mistakes and mentions she has been going through a tough time (Brito, 2024). Finally, on March 10, King comments about the situation. Over a month later, she says “To everyone sending me love because I’m human and already talked to Dolly…I love you. To everyone who told me to k*ll myself I love you too” (Caldwell, 2024; King, 2024). This caption is very apropos to King’s personality and brand, as well as her behavior during the performance.
Discussion
Dialogic ethics provides an interesting lens to view the decision made by the Opry. Especially in today’s world where musicians and celebrities are constantly surrounded by film, photography, and social media, they are scrupulously watched and judged for their decisions. Dialogic ethics emphasizes leaving this world behind and focusing on the humanity between individuals through discourse. While discourse may happen online, an in-person dialogue can create a connection and remove people from their egos (Gurvetich, 1990).
Social media can be a great place to connect and discuss ideas with thousands of people across the globe. It allows for the average Joe to peek into celebrities’ lives, or even become a celebrity themselves. Social media has its drawbacks as well. Tone can be misconstrued through text easily, and with millions of people online, posts can go viral in minutes. This can turn a bad situation into a worse one at lightning speed. Studying this case can provide a reminder that conversation through social media and the internet is not necessarily dialogue. Human qualities such as facial expressions, body language, and intonation are missed from the medium.
Instead of resolving conflict or making important decisions through an online source, in-person connections can provide a deeper meaning and more thorough resolution. As long as the values and principles found in dialogic ethics are followed, a thorough and meaningful discussion can be held to find a resolution.
Questions for Further Discussion
- What other ethical frameworks could provide a different outcome for this case?
- Do you agree with the Opry’s decision to apologize for Elle King’s performance? Why or why not?
- How would the decision change if we focused on a different stakeholder’s decision? Explain.
Extra Resources for Consideration
Below are links to multimedia resources to provide extra context for this case.
Video of King’s performance (NSFW): https://www.tiktok.com/@auctioneergirl/video/7326552459944545578?_t=8lQSQpsVLkV&_r=1
Video of Dolly Parton’s interview with Extra:
References
Arnett, R. C., Harden Fritz, J. M., & Bell, L. M. (2009). Communication ethics literacy: Dialogue and difference. SAGE Publications, Inc., https://doi.org/10.4135/9781452204048
Belmont, J. [@JudasBellmont]. (2024, Jan. 20). I wish she would’ve been there because Elle King ruined the night with her horrible, drunk, and profane performance. Dolly [Tweet]. X. https://twitter.com/JudasBellmont/status/1748587976081182865?s=20
Brito, C. (2024, February 13). Dolly Parton says to forgive singer Elle King after Grand Ole Opry Performance. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/dolly-parton-elle-king-performance-grand-ole-opry/
Caldwell, S. (2024, March 10). Elle king addresses controversial Dolly Parton tribute in New Post: “I’m human.” TODAY.com. https://www.today.com/popculture/music/elle-king-dolly-parton-grand-ole-opry-controversy-rcna135239
Dolly Parton. Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. (2023, April 27). https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/hall-of-fame/dolly-parton
Farthing, L. (2024, January 23). What happened to Elle King at the grand ole opry?. Holler. https://holler.country/news/breaking/what-happened-to-elle-king-at-the-grand-ole-opry/
Grand Ole Opry [@opry]. (2024, Jan. 20). Hi Judas, we deeply regret and apologize for the language that was used during last night’s second Opry performance. [Tweet]. X. https://twitter.com/opry/status/1748781674521895343?s=20
Gurevitch, Z. D. (1990). The Dialogic Connection and the Ethics of Dialogue. The British Journal of Sociology, 41(2), 181–196. https://doi.org/10.2307/590869
Johnson, J. (n.d.). What if? ethics cases using various philosophies for decision-making. OER Commons. https://oercommons.org/courseware/lesson/100659/student/389534?section=1
Land, M., Fuse, K., & Hornaday, B. W. (2014). Contemporary media ethics: A practical guide for students, scholars and professionals in a globalized world (2nd ed.). Spokane, WA: Marquette Books.
Lenthang, M. (2024, January 25). Elle King reschedules 5 concerts after her “hammered” grand ole opry performance. NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/elle-king-reschedules-5-concerts-hammered-grand-ole-opry-performance-rcna135708
Nealon, J. T. (1997). The Ethics of Dialogue: Bakhtin and Levinas. College English, 59(2), 129–148. https://doi.org/10.2307/378545
Opry. (n.d.-a). Dolly Parton. https://www.opry.com/artists/dolly-parton
Opry. (n.d.-b). Elle King. https://www.opry.com/artists/elle-king
TMX staff, & Van de Riet, E. (2024, January 22). Grand Ole opry apologizes for Elle King’s profane performance during Dolly Parton’s birthday show. https://www.wlbt.com. https://www.wlbt.com/2024/01/22/grand-ole-opry-apologizes-elle-kings-profane-performance-during-dolly-partons-birthday-show/
Ungvári-Zrínyi, I. (2003). Dialogic Ethics for Business. Society and Economy, 25(2), 235–248. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41471974
A Cosmopolitan Perspective on the Tragic Case of Debra Stevens in Arkansas
By Kerri Ellison
Abstract
The tragic drowning of Debra Stevens in Arkansas, amid a flood emergency, has sparked scrutiny over the management of third-shift dispatching centers. Donna Marie Reneau's contentious handling of Stevens' distress call, captured in a widely discussed recording, underscores systemic failures in emergency response. Key stakeholders, including Governor Asa Hutchinson and the Fort Smith Police Department, have called for reforms, echoing the principles of cosmopolitanism, emphasizing empathy, justice, and accountability. Act 660's relevance in establishing standards for dispatch centers and accountability mechanisms adds urgency to discussions surrounding training, staffing, and ethical governance.
Keywords: Emergency Response, Third-Shift Dispatching, Cosmopolitanism, Accountability, Systemic Failures.
Towards Ethical and Effective Emergency Response: A Cosmopolitan Perspective on the Tragic Case of Debra Stevens in Arkansas
In tragedy lies a stark reminder of the critical importance of effective emergency response systems and the ethical responsibilities they entail. The case study surrounding the untimely death of Debra Stevens in Arkansas serves as a poignant illustration of the repercussions that can arise from mismanagement within third-shift dispatching centers. As floodwaters engulfed Stevens' vehicle during her routine newspaper route, her distress call to 911 revealed not only the dire circumstances she faced but also the alarming inadequacies in the response she received. The conversation between Stevens and the dispatcher, Donna Marie Reneau, captured the public's attention, igniting discussions about the ethical implications of Reneau's actions and the broader systemic failures within the emergency response infrastructure. Through the lens of cosmopolitanism, which advocates for universal principles of empathy, justice, and accountability, this case study prompts critical inquiry into the management practices of third-shift dispatching centers and calls for urgent reforms to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals in times of crisis.
Background
A tragic incident in Arkansas involving the death of Debra Stevens, a woman who drowned after floodwaters swept away her SUV, has garnered attention due to the response of the 911 dispatcher during her distress call. The dispatcher's response, captured in a recording of the call, included scolding Stevens for panicking and not offering advice on navigating the floodwaters, which was against policy. Debra was on her regular newspaper route when a flash flood swept up her car near “5801 Kinkead Ave in Smith County, Arkansas” (Clara Turnage, 2019). Stevens told the dispatcher she was worried the floodwaters would ruin her “brand new phone,” preventing responders from finding her (Andrew, 2019). The dispatcher's response to Stevens's concern was, “Do you really care about your brand-new phone?” “I mean, you’re over there crying for your life. Who cares about your phone?” The dispatcher also told Stevens to “shut up” and scolded her for driving into the water shortly before the call cut out (Andrew, 2019). The 911 call documenting Stevens' final moments revealed Reneau's contentious interactions, including admonishments and assertions that exacerbated the distressing situation. Despite efforts from first responders, Stevens “tragically succumbed to the rising floodwaters,” sparking public scrutiny and calls for accountability surrounding Reneau's conduct during the call (Andrew, 2019).
Donna Marie Reneau, previously honored as 'dispatcher of the year' at the Fort Smith Police Department, found herself at the center of “controversy following her resignation on August 23, 2019.” (KTVE-myarlamiss.com, 2019) This resignation coincided with a tragic incident involving a 911 call from Debra Stevens, a drowning victim. During the harrowing 22-minute call, Reneau faced criticism for her handling of the situation.
In discussions about improving work conditions at the police department, Reneau emphasized “the importance of sincerity and accountability, citing a desire for better support structures for third-shift dispatchers like herself.” She noted “a lack of immediate supervision during her shift, spanning five years,” leading to concerns about self-care and distress management after handling high-stress calls (KTVE-myarlamiss.com, 2019). The incident drew widespread attention, prompting Governor Asa Hutchinson to address the need for “enhanced telecommunication training, emphasizing the importance of compassion and clear-headedness in emergency response situations” (KTVE-myarlamiss.com, 2019). In one report it said “Had a supervisor been in the room -- as Pitts suggested one always should be -- the supervisor could have noticed that Reneau was in distress” (Clara Turnage, 2019). The tragic outcome of Stevens' call underscores the urgency for improved training and investment in 911 systems to ensure efficient and effective emergency response.
Cosmopolitanism
The Cosmopolitanism philosophy will be applied to this case study. Cosmopolitanism, as a philosophy, “emphasizes the idea that all individuals are part of a single, global community, and it promotes the idea of treating others with respect, dignity, and empathy regardless of their background or circumstances” (Finlayson & Rees, 2023, 112).
Habermas emphasizes “the importance of universal moral principles, such as those related to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, as the foundation of cosmopolitan politics.” These principles serve as the “legitimizing political institutions and guiding decision-making process” They are considered to be “universal in nature” and apply to all individuals regardless of their nationality or cultural background (Finlayson & Rees, 2023, 111-115).
Habermas advocates for the “constitutionalization of international law, wherein these universal moral principles are codified into legal norms and institutions at the global level” (Finlayson & Rees, 2023, 141). This process involves establishing a framework of laws and regulations that govern the behavior of states and individuals in the international arena, to promote peace, justice, and human rights.
Central to Habermas's cosmopolitanism is the “deliberative discourse, in which individuals engage in rational and inclusive discussions to reach a consensus on matters of public concern” (Finlayson & Rees, 2023, 142). In this process, different perspectives and values are considered, and decisions are made through reasoned argumentation rather than coercion or domination.
While Habermas acknowledges the importance of democratic governance at both the national and international levels, he recognizes the challenges of implementing full-fledged democracy in a global context. Instead, he proposes a model of "constitutional patriotism" wherein democratic principles are embedded in the constitutional framework of political institutions, ensuring accountability, transparency, and the protection of individual rights ( Finlayson & Rees, 2023, 161).
Kwame Anthony Appiah was another philosopher who gave another great insight into Cosmopolitanism philosophy. To expand our knowledge of other cultures, Appiah's main goal in his work was to “have conversations about cultures, beliefs, and values without having the excuse of labeling another culture's belief right or wrong” (Mirgani, 2024). Using Cosmopolitanism, he argues, we can create a more united community.
Case Analysis
The principles and values for this case consist of (justice, truth/trust, humane, stewardship, diversity, and loyalty), and are viewed as essential components of cosmopolitan politics, providing the moral and normative foundation for a more just and inclusive global order. Through the application of universal moral principles, the constitutionalization of international law, and the promotion of deliberative discourse and civic solidarity, Habermas seeks to “reconcile the tensions between national sovereignty and global governance while advancing the cause of cosmopolitan democracy” ( Finlayson & Rees, 2023, 178).
The concept of justice is inherent in the discussion of accountability and responsibility, particularly regarding Donna Marie Reneau's handling of the distress call. In a cosmopolitan framework, justice involves treating individuals fairly and ensuring that actions have consequences within the broader global community. Trust is crucial in emergency response situations, and implicitly emphasizes the importance of truthfulness and trustworthiness. This is evident in Governor Asa Hutchinson's call for clear-headedness and compassion, highlighting the necessity of honest and reliable communication in serving the common good.
It underscores the need for empathy and sensitivity in emergency response, aligning with the cosmopolitan principle of recognizing the humanity and vulnerability of all individuals. Reneau's contentious interactions are contrasted with the values of compassion and dignity, emphasizing the importance of humane treatment even in high-stress situations. The discussion on improving work conditions and support structures for third-shift dispatchers reflects a sense of stewardship towards the well-being of individuals in the profession. This aligns with cosmopolitan ideals of care and solidarity, emphasizing the responsibility to safeguard the dignity and welfare of all members of society.
While not explicitly mentioned in the provided excerpt, the cosmopolitan philosophy inherently values diversity and inclusivity. The call for enhanced telecommunication training and investment in 911 systems suggests a “recognition of the diverse needs and vulnerabilities within society, emphasizing the importance of inclusive approaches to emergency response.” (Holcroft, 2018). Loyalty, in a cosmopolitan context, extends beyond narrow loyalties to one's immediate community to encompass a broader commitment to the common good of humanity. This is reflected in the advocacy for improved training and infrastructure, highlighting a loyalty to the principles of justice, compassion, and solidarity that underpin cosmopolitanism.
The Pyramid model of Analysis, which is “a model for comparing decisions” was developed by Mitch Land and is used during the process to help guide to a point of decision (Land et al, 2014). The stakeholders include Debra Stevens, Donna Reneau, Governor Asa Hutchinson, first responders, the Fort Smith Police Department, third-shift dispatchers, the local community, and the media and the public’s opinion.
Debra Stevens is the primary victim of the incident, whose life was tragically lost. She represents the individual directly impacted by the emergency response system's actions or lack thereof. Donna Marie Reneau, the 911 dispatcher at the center of the controversy, is a key actor in the emergency response system. Her actions and decisions directly influenced the outcome of the situation and subsequently attracted public scrutiny. The governor's response to the incident highlights the role of government and policymakers as stakeholders. Their actions in addressing the need for enhanced telecommunication training and investment in 911 systems impact the overall effectiveness and fairness of emergency response protocols. This includes the emergency personnel who were involved in the response efforts to Debra Stevens's distress call. Their actions and capabilities are crucial in determining the effectiveness of emergency response systems.
As Reneau's employer, the police department bears responsibility for its employee's actions and the effectiveness of its emergency response protocols. Reneau's advocacy for better support structures highlights the concerns and needs of third-shift dispatchers, who are directly impacted by work conditions and stress management practices within the emergency response system. The community in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where the incident occurred, is also a stakeholder. Their trust in local emergency services and perceptions of safety are influenced by the effectiveness and compassion of emergency response efforts. Lastly, media coverage and public opinion play a significant role in shaping perceptions of the incident and influencing subsequent actions and policies related to emergency response systems.
Given the distressing circumstances surrounding the tragic loss of Debra Stevens' life due to a mismanagement third-shift 911 dispatching center, it raises significant questions about the accountability of the Fort Smith Police Department management. Should they be held responsible for failing to provide adequate support for the third-shift operations, thereby hindering the ability of dispatchers and first responders to respond to emergencies like the one involving Debra Stevens effectively?
Discussion
Governor Asa Hutchinson's response to the incident highlights the importance of compassion and clear-headedness in emergency response situations. These values align with cosmopolitan ideals of empathy and rationality. Cosmopolitanism encourages individuals, including emergency responders like dispatchers, to approach their duties with sensitivity and a clear mind, recognizing the humanity and vulnerability of those in distress.
Reneau's emphasis on improving work conditions for third-shift dispatchers reflects a concern for the well-being and dignity of individuals in her profession. Cosmopolitanism promotes the idea of solidarity and mutual support among all members of society, regardless of their roles or backgrounds. By advocating for better support structures and addressing issues such as self-care and distress management, Reneau demonstrates a commitment to the welfare of herself and her colleagues, aligning with cosmopolitan principles of care and solidarity.
The incident prompts discussions about the need for enhanced telecommunication training and investment in 911 systems. From a cosmopolitan perspective, such investments are essential for promoting the common good and ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals within society. By improving training and infrastructure for emergency response, society can better fulfill its obligations to protect and assist those in need, fostering a more just and compassionate global community.
Act 660 in Arkansas pertains to emergency services and communications. Specifically, it “addresses issues related to 911 emergency call systems, emergency medical services, and dispatch procedures” (Rains, 2024). Act 660, known as the Public Safety Act of 2019, “requires nearly every Arkansas city and county emergency dispatch center to consolidate into one 911 call center per county” (Bucker, 2023). The distress call involving the drowning of Debra Stevens and an understaffed dispatch center, Act 660 may be relevant in several ways.
“Standards for the training and staffing of dispatching centers to ensure they have an adequate number of trained personnel to handle emergencies effectively” is the main priority of Act 660 (9-1-1, 2022). If the dispatch center involved in the incident was understaffed, it might violate the requirements outlined in Act 660. Act 660 may establish mechanisms for accountability and oversight of emergency dispatch centers to ensure they are operating under state regulations and providing timely and effective responses to emergency calls. If the dispatch center failed to respond appropriately to the distress call involving Debra Stevens due to understaffing or other issues, there could be “implications for accountability under the provisions of the act” (9-1-1, 2022).
In conclusion, the tragic case study surrounding the untimely death of Debra Stevens in Arkansas serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of effective emergency response systems and the ethical responsibilities they entail. The distressing circumstances of Stevens' final moments, captured in the harrowing 911 call, shed light on the alarming inadequacies within third-shift dispatching centers and the broader systemic failures in emergency response infrastructure. Through the lens of cosmopolitanism, which advocates for universal principles of empathy, justice, and accountability, this case study prompts critical inquiry into the management practices of third-shift dispatching centers and calls for urgent reforms to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals in times of crisis. The principles of justice, truth, humanity, stewardship, diversity, and loyalty, inherent in cosmopolitan politics, provide a moral and normative foundation for addressing the shortcomings revealed in this case.
Governor Asa Hutchinson's response underscores the need for enhanced telecommunication training and investment in 911 systems, aligning with cosmopolitan ideals of compassion and clear-headedness in emergency response situations. Donna Marie Reneau's advocacy for better support structures for third-shift dispatchers reflects a commitment to the welfare of emergency personnel and the broader community, echoing cosmopolitan principles of care and solidarity.
Moreover, Act 660 in Arkansas, which addresses issues related to emergency services and communications, may provide avenues for accountability and oversight to ensure that dispatch centers operate following state regulations and provide timely and effective responses to emergency calls.
In essence, the tragic loss of Debra Stevens's life serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for systemic reforms and investments in emergency response infrastructure to uphold the universal values of justice, compassion, and solidarity within our global community. Through concerted efforts to address the shortcomings highlighted in this case, we can strive towards building a more just, inclusive, and responsive emergency response system that honors the dignity and humanity of all individuals in times of crisis.
Discussion questions
Three questions to stimulate conversation or the case would be: how might the principles of cosmopolitanism, such as empathy, justice, and accountability, inform an analysis of Donna Marie Reneau's handling of the distress call from Debra Stevens? Considering the stakeholders involved, including Debra Stevens, Donna Marie Reneau, Governor Asa Hutchinson, and the Fort Smith Police Department, how could the application of cosmopolitan ideals lead to better support structures for third-shift dispatchers and improvements in emergency response systems? In light of Act 660 in Arkansas, which addresses issues related to emergency services and communications, how might the incident involving Debra Stevens prompt discussions about the need for accountability, training, and staffing within emergency dispatch centers, aligning with cosmopolitan principles of justice and fairness?
References
9-1-1 legislation in Arkansas - 911 board. 911. (2022, January 14). https://911board.arkansas.gov/regulations/legislation/
Andrew, S. (2019, December 23). A 911 dispatcher who told a drowning woman to “shut up” will not face charges. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/23/us/arkansas-woman-drowned-911-responder-not-charged -trnd/index.html
Buckner, B. (10AD). Arkansas 911 dispatch centers to consolidate | thv11.com.
THV11.com. https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/arkansas-911-dispatch-consolidating/91-fb69369 f-c218-4050-b39f-f611d356f6c3
Clara Turnage, T. S. (2019, December 21). Review by Fort Smith Police urges 911 changes; August drowning wake-up call, it says. Arkansas Democrat Gazette. https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2019/dec/21/review-by-police-urges-911-changes-2
019/
Finlayson, J. G., & Rees, D. H. (2023, September 15). Jürgen Habermas. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/habermas/
Holcroft, C. (2018, March). APCO Institute Public Safety Telecommunicator 1, Seventh Edition. https://www.dps.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/LESSON-PLAN-CHAPTER-5. pdf
KTVE - myarklamiss.com. (2019, September 5). Update: Arkansas dispatcher who scolded drowning victim tells interim police chief she liked to “help people in a time of an emergency.” https://www.myarklamiss.com/news/911-dispatcher-mocks-drowning-victim/
Land, M., Fuse, K., & Hornaday, B. W. (2014). Contemporary Media Ethics: A practical guide for students, scholars and professionals in a Globalized World. Marquette Books.
Mirgani, S. (2024, March 14). Anthony Appiah Lectures on ideas of Cosmopolitanism.
Center for International and Regional Studies.
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Rains, B. (2024, March 15). Construction complete on new consolidated 911 Dispatch Center in Crawford County. KHBS. https://www.4029tv.com/article/construction-complete-on-new-consolidated-911-dispatch- center-in-crawford-county/60217448#:~:text=all%20the%20services.%22-,Act%20660%2 C%20known%20as%20the%20Public%20Safety%20Act%20of%202019,911%20call%20c enter%20per%20county.
A Communitarianism Approach to the Government’s Implementation of Advanced Drunk and Impaired Driving Technology
By Ethan A. Bratton
Abstract
In November of 2021, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Hidden in this bill was a section about Advanced Impaired Driving Technology. This technology would have a huge impact on not only car buyers, but also car manufacturers after 2026 by requiring them to include Advanced Impaired Driving Technology as standard equipment in new vehicles. This study suggests that buy using the communitarianism approach and Land Point of Decision Pyramid to combat drunk driving, the government came up with a solution that is just and fair to the community.
Keywords: Communitarianism, NHTSA, kill switch, automobiles, drunk driving, congress, freedom, driving
Your New Backseat Driver: A Communitarianism Approach to the Government’s Implementation of Advanced Drunk and Impaired Driving Technology
Americans love their cars and they love their freedom. Almost as much as the enjoy having a car, they love the feeling of getting a new car. Most Americans own their vehicle for only five years before swapping it for a new one (Safane, 2024). Cars have become a necessity in the lives of many people. They use it to get to work, go to school, or take a trip to visit family. Cars provide a sense of freedom not offered by many other things out there. The government, however, does have a say in this freedom. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proposes bills to keep the roadways as safe as possible. The American people give up some of their liberties to enable to NHTSA to keep them safer on the road..
The recent Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act form 2021 proposed a bill that proves to be a perfect example of that, Americans giving up some freedom for the protection of the community. The purpose of this case study is to provide critical analysis of the NHTSA’s Advanced Impaired Driving Technology using Communitarianism as an ethical framework.
Background
The Kill Switch
The automotive community is no stranger to governmental restrictions. Going back to the late 1960s auto manufacturers have been required to implement certain things on their vehicles by the federal government. The governmental restriction at hand, however, involved more personal liberties than most prior restrictions. To fully understand the scope of this case, it is important to understand some key phrases. First and foremost, it is important to understand what a “kill switch” is and what it does. A kill switch is device that, when activated, prevents a vehicle from starting (Wawanesa Insurance, 2023). These switches come in many different styles from fuel system relays, battery disconnects, remote car battery switches, ignition wire switch, and fuse box switches. Fuel system relays keep fuel from getting to the engine, keeping it from running. Battery disconnects and remote battery switches prevent power from getting to the starter. Ignition wire switches put a break in the car’s ignition wire preventing it from starting. Fuse box switches blocks power at the fuse box so it can’t get to the rest of the vehicle (Wawanesa Insurance, 2023). All of these switches prevent the vehicle from being driven as intended. It is important to note that the phrase “kill switch” often refers to technologies like ignition and transmission interlocks which can prevent motor vehicle’s from being operated if alcohol is detected (NHTSA, 2024). The NHTSA has not officially released what technology will be instated, but they have said that it will limit one’s ability to operate their vehicle if impairment is detected.
Driver Alcohol Detection System
The Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADDS) is the primary agent in detecting driver impairment. DADDS is a cooperative research program between the NHTSA and Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS) that aims to develop minimally invasive methods for testing one’s level of impairment (Federal Register, 2024). Two methods are being researched that could detect BAC through touch sensors on the steering wheel and breath sensors that capture exhaled breath. Both of these methods would actively monitor the operator of the motor vehicle and their BAC to make sure they are fit to drive. If the system deems them unfit to drive, Advanced Impaired Driving Technology would take over to prevent the operator from driving. The NHTSA has made it clear on multiple occasions that neither the government would have access to the information gained by DADSS. All information would be kept internally in the vehicle. But, there are still security concerns regarding the potential misuse of data.
Communitarianism
This case will be evaluated using the communitarianism ethical framework. Communitarianism focusses mainly on what is best for the community. Since the community at large is considered, some freedoms of the individual may need to be limited. Communities of people shape the moral and political judgements people in the community feel obligated to support (Bell, 2020). Communitarians value working with their fellow community members to bring about changes in values, policies and habits that improve the lives of the most people in the community (The Arthur W. Page Center, n.d.). As can be seen in Arneson’s interview with Clifford Christian in Exploring Communication Ethics, communitarianism contradicts the normal individualistic lifestyle that is so prevalent in America. Instead, it suggests that the people of the community have a social responsibility to others in the community (Arneson, 2007). This social responsibility may require one to sacrifice their personal opinions and wishes for the betterment of the community.
This framework is particularly applicable to this case because it affects the entire community of drivers. Anyone looking to buy a car after 2026 will have to adhere to this ruling and will have Advanced Impaired Driving Technology in their car. This brings about the question, does this technology do the most good for the community?
Analysis
Facts of Case
Drunk driving has been an ongoing problem in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2021 approximately 12,600 traffic fatalities were directly cause by alcohol impairment, making it one of the leading causes of traffic deaths (Federal Register, 2024). While alcohol related deaths have decreased over the last 30 years, they are still higher than many deem acceptable. The NHTSA was posed with a question, what is the best way to minimize the amount of traffic deaths caused by alcohol? To combat the drunk driving problem in the country (and traffic crashes in general), the NHTSA introduced a section in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act about Advanced Impaired Driving Technology. This section proposed Advanced Drunk and Impaired Driving technology that would become standard equipment in all new motor vehicles after 2026 (DeFazio, 2021). This equipment would have two purposes, accurately determine when someone is impaired and prevent or limit the use of the motor vehicle if impairment is detected. The bill states that the level of impairment will be based on blood alcohol content (BAC). The prevention of motor vehicle operation could happen in multiple different ways: fuel system relays, battery disconnects, fuse box kill switches, ignition wire kill switches, remote control car battery switches (Palermo, 2022). These methods do different things, but all accomplish the same goal, restrict one’s ability to operate their motor vehicle. This bill was signed into law in November 2021 but won’t go into effect until 2026.
Principles and Values
Truth was not openly offered up regarding the Advanced Impaired Driving Technology being included into the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It was hidden in the bill so the average person who does not read the entire bill would not see it. The government itself has not said much about the proposed driver impairment technology. It is clear that truth isn’t the top priority of the government in this situation. Truth is, however, extremely important to a communitarian. If a person is to give up some freedom for the harmony of the community, they should know what they are giving up and how it will affect them.
In addition to truth, harmony is very important when considering something in the scope of communitarianism. While it may require the sacrifice of some freedoms, this bill is interested in creating harmony on the roadways. People in the community have a social responsibility, this responsibility could require some sacrifice for the good of the community. The implementation of Advanced Impaired Driving Technology does just that, take away some freedoms to create a better environment for the community.
The government and NHTSA partially used communitarianism while creating this bill. On one hand they are looking out for what is best for the community as small personal liberties are being sacrificed to build a safer community. On the other hand, they were not very upfront about their plan and methodology. Telling the public why this bill is beneficial to the community would have eased the minds of many concerned Americans. This bill does bring about the question, is this a positive change for the community of car drivers? Are the liberties sacrificed for the safety of the community Constitutional and just?
Stakeholders/Loyalties
Due to the complexity of the automotive industry, there are many stakeholders in this case. Auto manufacturers have a huge stake in the case presented. If the bill is carried out, they will be required to change the way they make vehicles. This change may have impact on sales which would in turn impact suppliers. Suppliers responsible for providing parts to auto manufacturers may have to alter the production of parts to adjust to the possible change in demand for new vehicles. This change would of course be driven by car drivers, the largest group of stakeholders, who drive the demand for both auto manufacturers and suppliers. These changes will impact every new car buyer from 2026 on. How these changes will influence their buying preferences is yet to be seen but could have a positive or negative impact. Some drivers love more technology and would welcome the new tech. Others want a more simplistic vehicle. This technology may also have an impact on the price of vehicle, further influencing customer’s buying preferences. Lastly, pedestrians make up an important group of stakeholders as their lives may be directly impacted by this bill. A large reason for this legislation is to mitigate deaths from drunk driving, some of which are pedestrians. Therefore, this bill could play a huge role in saving the lives of pedestrians.
Decision
The NHTSA has repeatedly denied requests for comments on the recent bill. This silence speaks volumes to the concern they have for what the public thinks. A communitarian would likely be much more concerned with the thoughts of the community. Since the basis of the communitarianism approach revolves around what is best for the community, it is important to see what the community is feeling. If the community feels that drink driving is a serious issue and wants the government to play a role in decreasing it, then this bill is great. Some freedoms are sacrificed, but it is for the greater good. The Point of Decision Pyramid (Land et al., 2014) puts the theory of communitarianism first, followed by the principles and values, stakeholders, and facts of the case. Through that lens, the community comes first. The government would analyze the problem, drunk driving, and assess that in order to prevent drunk drivers, some freedoms would need to be restricted. This is clearly the approach the NHTSA took when writing this bill. Harmony on the roadways took precedence over some freedoms of the individual, just as it should according to communitarianism. While these new technologies do restrict some freedoms, they do so in a way that is beneficial to the community.
Case Resolution
While many do support this proposed law, there are also many who strongly disprove of it. There have been movements among Congress to defund this proposed mandate. However, this amendment to defund the “kill switch” bill did not pass as only 199 Republicans and two Democrats voted for it (Office of the Clerk, 2023). This did not keep some members of Congress from voicing their concerns. Congresswomen Harriet Hageman of Wyoming said in an interview that “this is a massively and likely unconstitutional rule and and invasion of privacy on a greater scale than we are used to seeing from our government” (McFarland, 2023). These concerns are shared among many other members of Congress and the country. Some, however, like Wasserman Schulz state that “you don’t have the right to engage in potentially fatal behavior” (McFarland, 2023). This case is still ongoing as the threshold for manufacturers to implement these systems is years out. There are many factors that are still yet to be determined such as what these systems will look like and how they will limit one’s ability to drive their vehicle. In their report to congress, the NHTSA stated a few reasons that could lead to a delay in implementation of this bill. Primarily, as stated above, there is a lot of research required to implement such a major change. Secondly, they must determine what the “safe state” of a vehicle is when driver monitoring technology detects impairment (NHTSA, 2024).
Discussion/Conclusion
This case both shows both how the government can use communitarianism in a positive way, and how it can miss some key aspects of it. One of the main purposes of government is to provide protection to its people. This protection is provided by the citizens willingly giving up some freedoms. This case requires the community to give up some freedoms but does so in the name of harmony, one of the most important principles of communitarianism. However, the government did not do a great job at making the whole truth known to the public, causing some concerns. To better handle this situation the government could have made their position and reasoning clear. For government to exist, citizens must give up a certain degree of power and freedom. The community is much more willing to give up those freedoms when the intentions of the government is plainly known. The extensiveness of the action needed for this bill does raise some questions. There is still much research and development left to do before these technologies are ready to be implemented in vehicles. Is this use of taxpayer dollars the most effective solution to drunk driving? Are there any alternatives to this bill that prevent people from trying to drive impaired? Does the problem of drunk driving start in the home? At school? As a kid? The problem of drunk driving is quite complex, but the government is taking a first step in ending it. Looking at this case through the lens of communitarianism, the government is on the right track, looking into what is best for the harmony of the community.
References
Arneson, P. (2007). Exploring communication ethics: interviews with influential scholars in the field. P. Lang.
Bell, D. (2020, May 15). Communitarianism. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/communitarianism/
DeFazio, P. A. (2021, October 1). Text - H.R.3684 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Www.congress.gov. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3684/text
Department of Transportation. (2023). Advanced Impaired Driving Prevention Technology. https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/2023-12/anprm-advanced-impaired-driving-prevention-technology-2127-AM50-web-version-12-12-23.pdf
Federal Register. (2024, January 5). Advanced Impaired Driving Prevention Technology. Unblock.federalregister.gov. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/05/2023-27665/advanced-impaired-driving-prevention-technology
Mcfarland, C. (2023, November 8). Hageman Fights Law That Mandates Government-Controlled “Kill Switch” In All Cars | Congresswoman Harriet Hageman. Hageman.house.gov. https://hageman.house.gov/media/in-the-news/hageman-fights-law-mandates-government-controlled-kill-switch-all-cars
NHTSA. (2024). Advanced Impaired Driving Prevention Technology. https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/2023-07/Report-to-Congress-Advanced-Impaired-Driving-Prevention-Technology_07-17-23.pdf
Office of the Clerk. (2023, November 7). Roll Call 616 Roll Call 616, Bill Number: H. R. 4820, 118th Congress, 1st Session. Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2023616
Palermo, M. (2022, April 21). What You Need to Know About the Vehicle Kill Switch Law. Www.palermolawgroup.com. https://www.palermolawgroup.com/blog/vehicle-kill-switch-law
Posky, M. (2023, November 7). Editorial: Why Are People Worried About Automotive “Kill Switch” Mandates? Thetruthaboutcars.com. https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/editorials/why-are-people-worried-about-automotive-kill-switch-mandates-44503639
Rawls, J. (1971). A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press.
Rivers, S. (2023, December 3). Here Are The Facts About The “Kill Switch” Mandate For Cars That’s Already Passed | Carscoops. Carscoops. https://www.carscoops.com/2023/12/here-are-the-facts-about-the-kill-switch-mandate-for-cars-thats-already-passed/
Safane, J. (2024, January 7). Here’s How Often Americans Replace Their Cars — and How Much They Spend. Nasdaq.com. https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/heres-how-often-americans-replace-their-cars-and-how-much-they-spend
The Arthur W. Page Center. (n.d.). Ethical Orientations: Communitarianism - Courses. Www.pagecentertraining.psu.edu. Retrieved April 11, 2024, from https://www.pagecentertraining.psu.edu/public-relations-ethics/ethical-decision-making/lesson-1-where-do-ethics-come-from/ethical-orientations-communitarianism
Ushistory.org. (n.d.). The Purposes of Government [ushistory.org]. Www.ushistory.org. https://www.ushistory.org/gov/1a.asp
Wawanesa Insurance. (2023, July 25). Preventing Car Theft: How Kill Switches Deter Criminals. Wawanesa Insurance. https://www.wawanesa.com/us/blog/preventing-car-theft-how-kill-switches-deter-criminals
From Bamboo Bliss to Social Media Crisis: The Kyte Baby Maternity Leave Debacle
By Kirsten B. Valle
Abstract
This case looks at how one company branded in family values and women’s rights makes a hasty decision not to allow a mother additional maternity leave time for her adopted son. The owner of Kyte Baby was under fire for her decision which resulted in multiple customers denouncing the brand and vowing to never purchase their products. Dialogic ethics are used to examine how this case may have unfolded had this philosophical framework been applied initially.
Keywords: dialogic ethics, unpaid maternity leave, women-owned businesses, cancel culture, corporate compassion
From Bamboo Bliss to Social Media Crisis: The Kyte Baby Maternity Leave Debacle
Parents are notably the most loyal to their children and the lengths they will go to protect their own typically knows no bounds. Most of the time we think of parents as the biological mother or father though we must acknowledge that there are adoptive parents, step-parents, and foster parents who love their children just as much as their counterparts. Usually, dilemmas arise from being a parent such as taking care of sick kids, doctor’s appointments, and attending school events during the workday. Typically parents receive compassion and grace from other parents who can relate. You might expect the same grace from a company whose values stemmed from being parent-owned and operated if you needed to take extra time to care for your sick child. However, this was not the case for the company Kyte Baby.
In January 2024, Kyte Baby, a well-known company that sold clothes for babies and toddlers denied an employee the opportunity to work remotely to care for her adopted son who was born prematurely. The purpose of this case is to provide a critical analysis of Kyte Baby’s decision using Dialogic ethics as an ethical framework.
Background
Kyte Baby is a company that makes pajamas, and loungewear for children and adults entirely out of bamboo fabric. One of the first of its kind, Kyte Baby was founded by Ying Liu in 2014 after she saw the need for a more breathable fabric for children who suffered from eczema like her youngest daughter at the time (Kyte Baby, n.d.). Liu, originally from Guangzhou, China, saw the potential to create a clothing brand that was eco-friendly and sustainable. She reached out to a family member in China who already owned and operated a garment factory who agreed to make bamboo onesies to sell in the U.S. What started as just baby pajamas and sleep sacks soon blossomed into toddler, and adult clothing, as well as blankets, crib sheets, car seat covers and much more. Kyte Baby skyrocketed the untapped material into recognition, motivating others to jump on the bamboo bandwagon. Kyte Baby prides itself on being family-run and operated as well as being eco-friendly by reducing waste and creating long-lasting products (Kyte Baby, n.d.). Liu saw the opportunity to educate consumers on the benefits of the material and create a space where all mothers felt heard and understood regarding their children’s comfort at night (Kyte Baby, n.d.).
Newer companies are beginning to pride themselves on being woman-led, inclusive, and family-oriented as well as having great work culture. In earlier generations, this was not the case as most companies thought that work should be put before family and put heavy emphasis on the value of hard work (Rook, 2019). Millennials and GenZ have begun to shed light on the unhealthy relationship this causes with work as well as inducing stress and high tensions in the workplace (Granger, 2023). This has also affected maternity as well as paternity leave policies. Only seven countries globally do not mandate paid maternity leave for employees, with the U.S. being one of them (Watson, 2023). On a broader scale, the U.S. is decades behind when compared to its counterparts concerning paid maternity leave policies (Vu, 2023). This debate falls into a larger conversation about parents and the governmental support they receive when bearing children or those who are forced to bring a child into this world. On a smaller scale, companies that esteem themselves as being woman-owned have this expectation of being accommodating to families in times of crisis (Quotah, 2023). What should’ve been a well-thought-out accommodating response by Kyte Baby, turned into an ugly online chain of events.
Dialogic Ethics
Dialogic ethics was spearheaded by philosophers, Martin Buber (1878-1965) and Emmanuel Levinas (1906-1995) (Holba, n.d.). Dialogic ethics is a derivative of the word dialogue (Arthur W. Page Center, n.d.) which emphasizes open communication and relationships between people rather than personal ethical beliefs (Ballard et al., 2016). Most of the philosophies that exist are rooted in virtue, duty, and consequence (Ballard et al. 2016) although Dialogic ethics is not obligatory to these and rather involves itself in the relationship people have to one another (Holba, n.d.). Dialogic ethics transpires within dialogue, it is a process in which the ethics are judged based on the interaction, attitudes, and behaviors of both parties (Holba, n.d.). Dialogic ethics stipulates that you must be willing to limit your ethical standpoints, self-interests, and judgment of the other character (Buber, 1970).
In Martin Buber’s I & Thou (1923) he outlines the different modes of relationships between individuals that are principles in his philosophy. We must first evaluate the premise of I-It where individuals see others as objects or a means to an end rather than unique whole beings. Individuals treat others as someone who can be manipulated, used, or controlled for the needs of themselves. We then put a limit on their dignity and value rather than human beings worthy of respect and consideration (Smith, 1958). When a subject is viewed as an object, they become an It, but when they are viewed as a whole being they are viewed as a Thou (Buber, 1923).
A major term used within this philosophy is reciprocity. Reciprocity is the practice of exchanging goods, services, emotions, or ideas for mutual benefit between individuals or groups. This creates trust, cooperation, and mutual respect which helps foster harmonious relationships. Reciprocity plays a fundamental role in Dialogic ethics and is a requisite when discussing the other portion of Buber’s philosophy, I-Thou (Buber, 1923). In an I-Thou relationship, individuals participate in communication in a reciprocal manner. They acknowledge each other's existence as human beings and connect on a level of mutuality without opinions. Buber goes so far as to relate Dialogic ethics to connecting spiritually and gives examples of ways that a person and a living object can connect on a deeper level without using words (Holba, n.d.). His fellow philosopher Levinas who succeeded Buber in his ideas was supportive yet disparaging in nature (Morgan, 2005).
Emmanuel Levinas (1984) argued that communication can be seen as a form of violence because it involves imposing our thoughts and ideas on others. In turn, this created an obligation for them to respond. However, he believed in the ethical responsibility of treating others with care and respect, suggesting that we should be attentive to their needs and invite genuine dialogue. This emphasis on the importance of interpersonal encounters led Levinas to prioritize ethics as the foundational principle of philosophy. Levinas coined the term "I am my Brother's Keeper," while still recognizing that this sentiment cannot be forced upon others (Levinas, 1984).
While the concept of Dialogic ethics is easy to understand it’s not the easiest to implement in our daily lives. This involves prioritizing genuine encounters with others that are characterized by active listening, empathy, and openness (Carrión et al., 2020). It requires acknowledging their autonomy, background, and cultural dissimilarities all while remaining indifferent to the other party. We must refrain from imposing our own ideas and judgments and inviting open dialogue. Dialogic ethics maintain that by cultivating genuine connections and respectful interactions in our daily exchanges, we can promote a more ethical and compassionate way of living. (Carrión et al., 2020)
Facts of Case
In early 2024, a woman-owned, family-based company, Kyte Baby, was under fire for denying one of their employee’s additional maternity leave time. The employee, Marissa Hughes, and her husband, who had previously had issues conceiving a child, opted for adoption. The young couple was soon delighted to find an unborn child to adopt after years of infertility and miscarriages. This quickly turned into distress for the soon-to-be parents when the child was born at just 22 weeks of gestation, prompting a long stay at the NICU in a hospital nine hours away (Hamasaki & Valinsky, 2024; Sultan, 2024).
Kyte Baby’s maternity leave policy states that women will receive two weeks of maternity leave if the employee has been at the company for at least six months; an employee will receive four weeks if they’ve been there for at least a year, both of these with the caveat of signing a contract to return to work at the company for at least six months. Marissa took her two weeks but upon completion could not promise to come back for another six months due to the need to care for her child but offered to work remotely. During her meetings with HR to discuss her tentative work schedule to work from home, comments had been made about Hughes not being a “real mother” to the child because she was not the biological mom (Thompson, 2024). The owner of the company Ying Lui, ultimately decided against allowing Marissa to work remotely because she believed that the nature of the job was primarily on-site. This eventually resulted in Marissa’s termination at Kyte Baby (Thompson, 2024).
The story was shared on the popular social media platform TikTok by Hughes’ sister who also worked for Kyte Baby (Rothenberg, 2024). Outrage among mothers spread like wildfire and a weeks-long debate on social media ensued on how this situation should have been handled. The widespread controversy was covered by multiple media news outlets as well as shared thousands of times resulting in calls for the owner to step down. In the age of cancel culture, this scenario contains all the ingredients necessary for mass disapproval and boycotting of a company.
Case Analysis
Principles and Values
The principles and values from an outsider’s perspective can be seen primarily as justice and truth as well as stewardship. Justice is a factor in Ying’s decision-making process because the policies of maternity leave had already been outlined and explained to all employees. If Marissa had been given what others may have deemed as special treatment, this could have been seen as unjust to the other employees. The second principle, truth, comes into play when Ying relays the maternity leave policy that had been in place prior to Marissa’s unfortunate situation with her adopted son as well as her overall arrival into the company. Liu takes Hughes’ consideration of working remotely but comes to the conclusion that she would not be able to do her job accurately. The third principle that Liu used was stewardship, and how she is a steward to all the employees who work for her so they must all be treated fairly with one employee not getting special provisions regardless of the circumstances.
If Liu had used Dialogic ethics as the framework in her verdict, humaneness, diversity, and harmony would have been at the forefront of her decision. Ying would have taken into consideration that the more compassionate decision would have been to allow Marissa to stay with her adopted son but also fulfill her duties at work because there was a human life at stake. Marissa’s adopted son Judah was born with a multitude of health issues as well as only being born at 22 weeks. Liu would have considered this human life and the need for his mother by his side, who could also provide for him financially when he came home from the hospital. If Liu had contemplated diversity and recognized that all situations are unique and there can be no one option for everyone then she would have realized that allowing Marissa to work remotely would have been the proper thing to do. Liu who is a mother to five would have considered that Marissa had a difficult time trying to conceive a child. Marissa had multiple miscarriages, with one failed IVF attempt that landed her in the hospital where she almost lost her life. Had Liu considered that every person is different with varying backgrounds, medical histories, and desires then her decision could have been different. The last principle of harmony would have made Liu look at this from an outsider’s perspective and realize that this decision could cause an uproar from other mothers who hear this story and cause discord for her customers and in turn her business.
Stakeholders
Ying Liu prioritized her primary stakeholders as her customers. She believed that if Marissa was unable to do her job because it was primarily on-site then this would affect productivity in the workplace. Liu decided that Marissa should not return to work if she could not do so by the expected date. This would allow Liu to find a replacement quickly so as to not interrupt output. If Liu had prioritized her stakeholders as her employees, she would have had a deep and meaningful conversation with Marissa without allowing her opinion of what it means to be a mother to affect her judgment. She then would have listened to Marissa’s struggles and made a decision based on that rather than her need to continue to make money. Liu would have seen this as a way to build some trust with her current employees by inviting an open dialogue into the workplace, in turn boosting employee morale. Liu also should have considered Marissa’s family as they were affected by her decision to terminate Marissa. This was a financial hit to the new parents, especially a stressful one with a baby in the hospital for the foreseeable future. Had Liu reflected on her decision she would have also contemplated the implications of what this could do to her current customer base as well as her potential customers. Being that Liu owned a company that catered to mostly mothers she could have seen the complications that would arise from her decision.
Point of Decision
If Liu had used the Dialogic ethics philosophy and put the principles and values of humanness, diversity, and harmony as well as prioritized her stakeholders as employees first, then she would’ve taken the facts of the case which were: Employee Marissa was going through infertility struggles; her adopted son was now in the NICU; Liu owns a business centered around family and empowering women; and Marissa needed to be by her son’s side but still needed a stable job that she could come back to. Ying’s point of decision, per the Point of Decision Pyramid (Land et al., 2014) would have been to allow Marissa to work remotely and return to her job once her adopted son was out of the hospital and back in their hometown. Liu could have also used this opportunity to continue the conversation as the philosophy of Dialogic ethics infers and create discussions with her current staff to get feedback on what she could have done differently. This would result in potential policy changes and could have aided the overall fallout from this dilemma.
Case Resolution
Liu faced extensive backlash for her decision not to allow Marissa to work from home for the duration of her adopted son’s hospital stay. Influencers who were deemed as ambassadors for the Kyte Baby brand shared their thoughts on TikTok and ultimately condemned the owner for their decision as well as cut all ties to the brand and deleted all affiliate links. Influencers who did not denounce the brand were chastised by their followers. Loyal customers took to social media to video themselves setting their Kyte Baby clothing ablaze, while other smaller bamboo companies used this as an opportunity to promote themselves as a baby baboo manufacturer that supported women and mothers of all types. (Cohen, 2024). The owner issued two apology videos on the brand’s TikTok page. The first was a scripted apology that was very evident it was being read from a laptop and the other was a more “personal and unscripted” apology that took accountability for their actions. However, many commented, “too little too late” (Cohen, 2024). Marissa was reached out to after most of the drama had subsided to see if Kyte Baby had reached out to her personally. Marissa said they did, and they offered her the job back if she wanted it, but she declined (Sultan, 2024).
Discussion/Conclusion
While the outrage against this small company is valid, this is part of a much larger discussion about the inadequate paid parental leave that companies are required to give to employees. While Kyte Baby ultimately decided not to allow their employee additional leave time this could potentially not have been an issue if parental leave was mandated at a federal or state level.
If lawmakers (who are disproportionately male) used Dialogic ethics, then they would be more open and understanding of the struggles women, and all parents, face after having children and the expectations of returning to work immediately for the need to care for their families financially. This would allow lawmakers to put their opinions aside and look at these issues through the lens of a woman.
Discussion Questions
- Do you think Liu’s decision was also influenced because this was not Hughes’ biological son? How could this have affected her decision in any way?
- Can you think of any real-world scenarios in which Dialogic ethics are fully applied between two parties?
- If this had happened at another organization that was a larger corporation like Target, Apple, or Ford do you think they would have received the same amount of online criticism?
- If Liu made the same decision and received the same backlash before issuing two apology videos, is there anything she could have done that could have made the situation better?
Extra Resources:
Ying Liu’s first apology video.
Ying Liu’s second apology video.
References
Atterton P., Calarco M., and Friedman M. (eds.) (2005). Levinas and Buber: Dialogue and
Difference, Duquesne University Press, 2004, 320pp, $24.95 (pbk), ISBN 0820703516.
https://ndpr.nd.edu/reviews/levinas-and-buber-dialogue-and-difference/
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Social Impact of Dialogic Teaching and Learning. Front. Psychol. 11:140.
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Holba, A. (n.d.). Dialogic Ethics. Cmsseniors.press.plymouth.edu.
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Martin Buber’s I and Thou. (n.d.). Www.angelfire.com.
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7, 2024, from https://sites.google.com/view/philosophy-texts/20th-century/phenomenology/emmanuel-levinas/levinas-ethics-as-first-philosophy
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Baby Debacle. Forbes. Retrieved April 7, 2024, from
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The Case Study of the Withheld Sales
By Vera Worthy
Abstract
On November 11, 2023, top Kia executives had a conference call with over 100 dealership representatives explaining their decision to withhold inventory and store cars on various compounds throughout Canada because they had already reached the 2023 sales quota. The executives determined this would ensure they received marketing funds for 2024 if they did not appear too successful in 2023.
Should the cars have been released to dealerships across the country to meet the commitments to customers who had been waiting months and some even years for their automobiles to arrive? In this ethics case study, Ethics of care will be used as a philosophical basis. The case study will show that had the executives used ethics of care as their philosophical basis, the decision to withhold inventory from dealerships across the country would have had a different outcome.
Keywords: Ethics, case study, ethics of care, Kia executives, withholding inventory, compounds, dealerships, headquarters
Introduction
Kia Canada, having already hit the annual sales target for 2023 of 84,000 vehicles, was planning to deliberately withhold the delivery of any further inventory to long-waiting customers out of fear of being penalized by Kia HQ in Korea with a reduced marketing budget for 2024.
In a leaked video with Ontario dealer reps, Kia Regional Manager Vince Capicotto, said: "With the global slow down, Kia Canada wants to control wholesale and retail performance in 2023 to not show high over-achievement. There's a high risk with over performance that Kia headquarters will not provide Kia Canada resources necessary in our budget for 2024 to have a successful year if we over perform for the balance of 2023 at too high a rate" (Johnson & Ivany, 2023).
The conference call that was later leaked was held via Zoom on November 17, 2023. The call was led by executive Vince Capicotti, who stated there was concern that if sales continued to go well after meeting their 2023 quota, headquarters would decide Canada didn’t need marketing support in the new year and would cut back on the 2024 budget. Capicotti was aware customers had paid deposits for vehicles that had been waiting months and some even years to receive cars (Lefko, 2023).
As Capicotti delivered the news, the dealership employees began writing comments into the chat box as their microphones were muted. Some of the comments were:
- "I've been with the brand since 2004," wrote one person. "This is the first time I've seen the dealer body penalized for selling too many vehicles."
- "This shows a complete lack of respect for every dealer in Canada … and our customers," wrote another. "No sold units should ever be held, they should be expedited."
- Another employee dismissed the scheme to secure more marketing support in 2024. "We don't need marketing," he wrote. "We need cars."
- One Ontario Kia manager Go Public spoke to said the squeeze on car inventory right before the holidays is a tough financial burden for all kinds of staff at dealerships.
- Franchise owners will make less money, and sales staff heavily rely on commissions — which only materialize once a customer receives the vehicle and pays in full. People working in the parts and service departments, he says, will also feel the ripple effect.
- Dealerships had customers who've paid a deposit walk away when they learned of the additional delays (Johnson & Ivany, 2023).
One of the car dealers recorded the entire call. When Capicotti was asked what they were to tell their customers who had waited for months and some even years to receive their new automobile Capicotti stated: It is up to the dealers to decide what you want to tell the customers, but Capicotti then gave them some wording to use that did not include the internal strategy. “Mr. Customer, we’ve just been communicated that there’s been delivery delays and logistic delays at Kia Canada” (Johnson & Ivany, 2023).
Background
Incoming shipments of vehicles arrive at car compounds from various sources. Once the shipments are received quality inspection and processing take place to ensure the vehicles meet required standards. Once the vehicles are processed into the system they are stored in designated areas. Car compounds use inventory management systems to know the exact location of each vehicle to ensure efficient retrieval and distribution when the vehicle is needed. Vehicles are distributed based on demand or pre-determined schedules from various dealerships. Once a request is received for outbound distribution the process can take anywhere from one day to two weeks depending on the mode of transportation. When the vehicles arrive at the dealerships, they handle the final preparations for delivery to the customer (Oracle, 1995).
Kia's structure and business operation are based on the company's core values, which are: “care for people and chase excellence every day.” Kia's management philosophy outlines the reason for the company's existence, which entails an unlimited sense of responsibility and respect for mankind. The core values of Kia's code of conduct state first and foremost that the customer is first. Kia states: “We promote a customer-driven corporate culture by providing the best quality and impeccable service, with all values centered on our customers" (Kia, n.d.).
Ethics of Care
Ethics of care implies that there is moral significance in the fundamental elements of relationships and dependencies in human life. Normatively, care ethics seeks to maintain relationships by contextualizing and promoting the well-being of caregivers and care receivers in a network of social relations (Fieser & Dowden 1985). Most often defined as a practice or virtue rather than a theory as such, “care” involves maintaining the world of, and meeting the needs of, us and others. It builds on the motivation to care for those who are dependent and vulnerable, and it is inspired by both memories of being cared for and the idealizations of self. Following in the sentimentalist tradition of moral theory, care ethics affirms the importance of caring motivation, emotion, and the body in moral deliberation, as well as reasoning from particulars.
The ethics of care is a moral framework that emphasizes empathy, relationships, and interconnectedness as central to ethical decision-making. The philosophy was founded by Carol Gilligan (1982) who challenged traditional ethical theories, such as deontology, consequentialism, and utilitarianism, which tend to prioritize abstract principles or outcomes over the particular needs and experiences of individuals. Instead of asking the moral decision-maker to be unbiased, the caring moral agent will consider that one’s duty may be greater to those they have particular bonds with, or to others who are powerless rather than powerful (D’Olimpio, 2023).
American philosopher Nel Noddings provided one of the first comprehensive theories of care and argued that caring is the foundation of morality. She saw relationships as ontologically basic to humanity, where identity is defined by the set of relationships individuals have with other humans. In suggesting that caring is a universal human attribute, Noddings asserted that a caring relation (a relationship in which people act in a caring manner) is ethically basic to humans. Since the impulse to care is universal, caring ethics is freed from the charge of moral relativism to the same degree as is virtue ethics (Burton, 2023).
Virginia Held is the editor and author of many books about care ethics. In much of her work, she seeks to move beyond ideals of liberal justice, arguing that they are not as much flawed as limited, and examines how social relations might be different when modeled after mothering persons and children. Premised on a fundamental non-contractual human need for care, Held construes care as the most basic moral value (Fieser & Dowden, 1995).
Eva Feder Kittay is another prominent care ethicist. Her book, Women and Moral Theory (1987), co-edited with Diana T. Meyers, is one of the most significant anthologies in care ethics to date. In this work, they map conceptual territory inspired by Gilligan’s work, both critically and supportively, by exploring major philosophical themes such as self and autonomy, ethical principles and universality, feminist moral theory, and women and politics. In Love’s Labor (1999), Kittay develops a dependency-based account of equality rooted in the activity of caring for the seriously disabled. Kittay holds that the principles in egalitarian theories of justice, such as those of John Rawls, depend upon more fundamental principles and practices of care, and that without supplementation such theories undermine themselves (Fieser & Dowden, 1995).
Ethics of care emphasizes the importance of relationships, empathy, and compassion in ethical decision-making. Ethics of care places importance on the needs and interests of all stakeholders involved in a particular situation. Ethics of care emphasizes the relational aspects of morality, recognizing the interconnectedness of individuals and the moral significance of their interdependence. In the ethics of care, truth is valued as it fosters trust and enhances the quality of caring relationships. However, the emphasis is placed on how truth is communicated and its impact on the well-being of those involved in the relationship. Stewardship, or the responsible management and care of resources and relationships, is highly valued in the ethics of care. Care ethicists emphasize the interconnectedness of individuals and the importance of considering the impact of one's actions on others and the broader community.
Principles/Values
This cases looks at seven principles and values used in the Point of Decision Pyramid (Land et al., 2014).
Truth – The Kia executives did not display any honesty or integrity when dealing with the dealership owners, Kia headquarters, and the consumers.
Stewardship – The Kia executives showed no responsibility to headquarters, the dealerships and no care to the customers who trusted Kia.
Justice – Fairness was not shown in the executive’s decision to withhold inventory. The domino effect of their decision affected so many lives.
Humaneness – The Kia executives only cared for themselves when deciding to withhold inventory.
Harmony and Diversity – Neither of these principles came into play because the executives knew the dealerships were disgruntled by their comments, but the executives still proceeded with the plan to withhold sales. The decision made by the Canadian office is opposite from the Kia website which states the core value of “customer first” is shared by everyone at Kia.
Freedom and Liberty are the only principles that would vaguely apply to the case study because the executives used their rights to make the decision and stuck with their decision regardless of the consequences or ethics of care.
Stakeholders
In this case study there are several stakeholders:
- The employees of Kia from the dealerships to the sales,
- The families of employees
- The headquarters of Kia in Korea,
- The customers, creditors, and retailers.
Point of Decision
Drawing upon the Point-of-Decision Pyramid Model and guided by the ethics of care philosophy, Kia executives would have attentively considered the feedback and anxieties voiced by the dealerships. Grounded in the ethics of care, which places great emphasis on interpersonal deliberation in their decision to defer inventory release until the new year. By embracing any of the principles and values previously discussed, Kia's reputation and integrity would have remained unscathed. Instead of solely adhering to their strategic vision, the executives should have acknowledged the stewardship, truth, and compassion that the stakeholders rightfully deserved. The Kia executives must summon the courage to engage in challenging negotiations with Kia headquarters regarding their budgeting practices. This collaborative effort should pivot away from solely focusing on sales figures and instead prioritize aligning with local market conditions. To initiate this shift, executives and headquarters ought to discontinue incentivizing sales through commissions and transition to a compensation structure comprising a base salary supplemented by an average of past commissions.
Case Resolution
Due to the Kia executives' disregard for the feedback and concerns expressed by the dealerships, the video conference call was recorded and subsequently leaked to Go Public, a local investigative news segment on CBC-TV (CBC News, 2023). Following the broadcast of the story, Kia executives faced severe backlash. Numerous consumers promptly canceled their vehicle orders placed with the dealerships, while others penned letters to Vince Capicotti expressing their discontent. Despite interview requests from Go Public, Kia Canada declined to participate and refused to address any inquiries. In a written statement, a Kia Canada spokesperson cited an inability to comment on "confidential internal business matters," including the accuracy of the information (Chapman, 2023). Moreover, the spokesperson reaffirmed the company's commitment to ensuring "timely delivery" of customer orders "in 2023 and beyond," without elaborating on how this pledge aligned with the deliberate withholding of vehicles from sale. Similarly, a spokesperson for Kia headquarters in Korea, via email, stated that the company's official stance "has been shared" by its Canadian counterparts (Chapman, 2023).
References
Burton, B., & Dunn, C.P. (2023, June 8). Ethics of Care. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/ethics-of-care
CBC News. (2023, December 19). Kia delaying vehicle deliveries in controversial strategy, internal video reveals. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTouasVsNQQ&t=47s
Chapman, C. R. (2023, December 19). Mini case study: The case of the withheld sales. Mini Case Study: The Case of the Withheld Sales. https://digestibledeming.substack.com/p/mini-case-study-the-case-of-the-withheld
D’Olimpio, D. L. (2023, October 26). Ethics Explainer: Ethics of Care. THE ETHICS CENTRE. https://ethics.org.au/ethics-explainer-ethics-of-care/
Europe, K. (2023, January 1). The Kia Compliance & Integrity Code. SUVs, Sedans, Sports Cars, Hybrids, EVs & Luxury Cars. https://www.kia.com/eu/about-kia/kia-company/compliance/the-kia-compliance-and-integrity-code/
Fieser, J., & Dowden, B. (Eds.). (1995, January 1). Care Ethics. Internet encyclopedia of philosophy. https://iep.utm.edu/care-ethics/#:~:text=Joan%20Tronto%20is%20most%20known,activities%20that%20legitimize%20shared%20power.
Gilligan, C. (1982). In a different voice: Psychological theory and women's development. Harvard University Press.
Johnson, E., & Ivany, K. (2023, December 19). Leaked sales scheme by Kia Canada reveals customers waiting even longer for new vehicles | CBC News. CBC news. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kia-canada-car-sales-1.7063216
Kia. (n.d.). Philosophy. Kia Philosophy | About Kia | Kia Malta. https://www.kia.com/mt/about-kia/kia-company/philosophy/
Kittay, E. F., & Meyers, D. T. (Eds.). (1997). Women and moral theory. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Lefko, P. (2023, December 22). Kia Canada under fire for inventory practices. Canadian Auto Dealer. https://canadianautodealer.ca/2023/12/kia-canada-under-fire-for-inventory-practices/
Macaluso, G. (2023, December 19). Kia allegedly withholding Canadian deliveries, CBC Reports. Kia allegedly withholding Canadian deliveries. https://canada.autonews.com/retail/kia-allegedly-withholding-canadian-deliveries-cbc-reports
McIntosh, J. (2023, December 19). Waiting for your new Kia? it might be here, stashed in storage ... Waiting for your New Kia? https://winnipegsun.com/auto-news/industry/new-kia-canada-not-delivered-storage-compound-2024
Oracle Corporation, (1995, March 1). Vehicle Distribution Centers. https://www.oracle.com/webfolder/s/assets/process-map/automotive-oem/vehicle-distribution/index.html
Patel, J. (2023, December 20). Kia Hiding Inventory from Canadian buyers - CarsDirect. Kia Hiding Inventory From Canadian Buyers. https://www.carsdirect.com/automotive-news
Alyssa Milano’s GoFundMe Baseball Fundraiser
By Dr. Melissa Musser
Abstract
Celebrities are held at a higher caliber than every day individuals. Whatever they eat, whoever they date, the person they marry, the work roles they choose, the children they have, the clothes, and more are all under scrutiny. On the money of celebrities, there are all levels from those that make millions a year to someone scraping by financially due to their lavish lifestyle. Money is a hush-hush term in many groups and that is no different with celebrities. Even though someone can afford to share their wealth, it does not mean they are required to give any amount away. Alyssa Milano is no different than any other celebrity. She is a millionaire, but should she be expected to share her money? Was is appropriate for her to start a GoFundMe crowdfunding fundraiser for her son’s baseball team and also sharing that with her million follower on her social media account, X?
Keywords: Alyssa Milano, Fundraiser, Baseball, GoFundMe, Virtue Ethics
Introduction
Alyssa Milano, who is known for Who's the Boss, Charmed, Commando, and more decided to help raise money for her son's baseball team by creating the team's GoFundMe account. She shared it to her X account (formally Twitter), where friends, family, and the public could see it. It was created under her husband's last name of Bugliari instead of her famous last name of Milano. Many people criticized her actions since she is a multi-millionaire (and so is her husband). The purpose of this case study is to use virtue ethics to analyze Milano’s decision to tweet her GoFundMe crowdfunding account for a fundraiser for her son’s baseball team trip.
Background
When every day individuals use the for-profit program called GoFundMe, they share their link through social media to friends, family, and community. Crowdfunding started in the 1700’s because loans were given to low-income Irish families in Ireland, but it was not called crowdfunding at that time. Modern day crowdfunding’s first occurrence on social media was in 1997, when a British rock band asked for online donations for the reunion tour. Starting in 2005, online companies such as Kiva, indiegogo, Kickstarter, Fundable, Artist Share, Prosper, peerbackers, and Startup America Partnerships were created as online crowdfunding platforms (The history of crowdfunding).
Anyone can start a GoFundMe fundraiser that assists with funeral costs, hospital bills, books for college, rent, counseling, food shortage, local emergencies, and much more. When a celebrity like Alyssa Milano decided to open a GoFundMe fundraiser for her son’s baseball team trip, she was met with mixed (but mainly negative) reactions. Many people scratched their heads and wondered why a celebrity worth millions of dollars did not just fund the whole trip, but this was not the first crowdfunded celebrity fundraiser.
Current Celebrity Culture
While Milano was criticized for her actions for the GoFundMe fundraiser and share on X, this was not the first instance of celebrity crowdfunding. Rob Thomas, Veronica Mars TV show creator, decided to start a crowdfunding campaign for a Veronica Mars movie on Kickstarter with the help of the Veronica Mars lead actress, Kristen Bell. The campaign raised two million dollars in less than 10 hours. A total of 5.7 million were raised. After the Veronica Mars crowdfunding campaign, actor Zach Braff decided to also use crowdfunding on Kickstarter for his movie, Wish I Was here, where he raised 3.1 million. Other celebrities such as Don Cheadle, James Franco, Whitney Port, Melissa Joan Hart, Zosia Mamet, and LaVar Burton, joined the crowdfunding bandwagon (Dukanovic, 2013). While these celebrities also created a crowdfunding campaign, Milano was judged across social media for her crowdfunding GoFundMe account and personal account tweet on X.
Overview of Virtue Ethics
Virtue ethics was created by the Greek philosopher, Aristotle and explained in further details in the book, Nicomachean Ethics (Aristotle & Natali, 2009). When it comes to virtue ethics, the focus is on someone’s character and qualities of courage, compassion, honesty, generosity, and moral living. Instead of making sure someone is always a good and moral person, virtue ethics relies more on the decisions that person decides to make. In most cases, a virtuous person tends to make honorable decisions.
When deciding between what is a virtue ethic and what is not, virtue ethics can occur in an everyday situation. While everyday people are not in the public eye, they can follow or choose not to follow virtue ethics in everyday life, but unlike celebrities, they are not praised or criticized on social media. By choosing the path of virtue ethics on a normal basis, many people will lead a straight and virtuous life (Virtue ethics, 2022).
GoFundMe’s focus is avoiding fundraisers that have a misuse of donations. While more users mean more profit, GoFundMe has set limitations about what they will not allow such as vaccine mandates, white supremacist causes, violet insurgencies, and conspiracy theories. While Alyssa Milano did nothing illegal or immoral when she created a GoFundMe fundraiser for her son’s baseball team trip fundraiser, was that a virtuous ethical decision based on her celebrity and financial status? Virtue ethics and a GoFundMe fundraiser are often intertwined together. The goal of GoFundMe is to ensure “the service appeals to a wide audience without inviting controversy that polarises and erodes the potential user base” (ABC Religion & Ethics, 2002).
Facts of Case
The stakeholders for Alyssa Milano’s GoFundMe fundraiser were GoFundMe, Alyssa Milano, David Bugliari (her husband), Milo (her son), Elizabella (her daughter), Birds 12U baseball team, Birds 12U baseball players, Birds 12U baseball families, Birds 12U coaches, The GoFundMe fundraiser was originally posted on X (previously Twitter) and then shared to Instagram (NBCUniveral News Group, 2024). She posted under the last name of Bugliari, which she also occasionally uses in her community and among friends.
Case Analysis
Alyssa Milano created a GoFundMe fundraiser and shared it to her X account that has 3.4 million followers, it was not illegal or against any GoFundMe fundraiser guidelines. As virtue ethics are important for any individual to have, Alyssa Milano is a role model to her fans and followers. The term “virtuous” is viewed differently between individuals. While her fundraiser may seem virtuous to some, it could also be seen as a vice to others.
Milano posted the GoFundMe fundraiser under her husband’s lase name at first. It was not until she shared it on X that is “blew up” and showed up suddenly all-over various news outlets such as NBC News, People, USA Today, Parents, Los Angeles Times, Daily Mail, Today, Los Angeles Times, Us Weekly, TMZ, ABC News, and many more. It not only was posted to legitimate and accredited news sources, but gossip sites and international outlets.
Point of Decision
Land et.al (2006) relate media decisions based on the utmost contribution for the highest number. While in the public eye for their actions, celebrities are required to justify their actions in life and on social media (p. 4). Moral development consists of six stages of development, which include obedience to authority, separates self interest with the interest of others, guidance from authority figures, societal rules, and legal and moral issues (p. 5). “Few things are more interesting---and important---to journalists than how news media change, apparently successfully, to meet the severe challenges of increasing competition and market pressures” (pp. 10-11). Throughout communication and journalism, value ethics are the principles that are lived and shown in personal actions (p.26). Milano’s actions did not relate to Land et. al, since she chose self-interest by posting on X, although hidden through the initial GoFundMe fundraiser showing interest of others, her son’s baseball team trip.
Conclusion
The outcome of all of the press came when Milano thanked all of the GoFundMe donors after they surpassed the fundraising goal. She defended her decision and said that she has contributed to the team financially. After the scrutiny of Milano’s GoFundMe fundraiser, she was further criticized for attending the 2024 Super Bowl with her son, Milo. USA Today did not know if Milano paid for the Super Bowl tickets, but the ticket price ranged from $5,795 to $9,365 per ticket (Stahl, 2004).
John Steinbeck once said in Travels with Charley: In Search of America, “We value virtue but do not discuss it. The honest bookkeeper, the faithful wife, the earnest scholar get little of our attention compared to the embezzler, the tramp, the cheat” (Pt. 3, 1962). When any celebrity creates a crowdsource of some kind, they are walking a fine line between virtuous and unfitting. While Milano did not cause any personal or mental harm with the GoFundMe fundraiser, celebrities are judged more than everyday people.
Discussion Questions
- Why did Alyssa Milano not donate the money herself instead of creating a GoFundMe account?
- Is she expected to pay the way for all of the players since she's a multi-millionaire?
- Would any celebrity be criticized for posting a GoFundMe fundraiser?
- Did people donate to Alyssa Milano’s GoFundMe only because of her celebrity status?
- Do the principles of virtue ethics always separate right from wrong?
- Are the rule breakers happier than the virtuous?
- Does wealth lead to corruption of virtue ethics?
- Can bad decisions affect future decisions toward virtuous actions?
Extra Resources
Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics. (n.d.). https://people.ucsc.edu/~jbowin/virtue.pdf
Virtue ethics and professional roles. (n.d.). https://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/samples/cam033/2001025236.pdf
YouTube. (2018). Virtue ethics | ethics defined. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMblKpkKYao
YouTube. (2020). Virtue ethics. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs9QiczZvdU
References
ABC Religion & Ethics. (2022). The ethical dilemmas of GoFundMe. https://www.abc.net.au/religion/the-ethical-dilemmas-of-gofundme/13750230
Aristotle, & Natali, C. (2009). Nicomachean ethics: Symposium aristotelicum. Oxford University Press.
Dukanovic, I. (2013). Crowdfunding is making your pop culture dreams come true. Popsugar. https://www.popsugar.com/celebrity/Celebrities-Who-Use-Crowdfunding-30648109
Land, M., & Hornaday, B. W. (2006). Contemporary Media Ethics: A practical guide for students, scholars, and professionals. Marquette Books.
Stahl, J. (2024). Alyssa Milano slammed for attending Super Bowl after asking for donations for son’s baseball team. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/2024/02/14/alyssa-milano-attending-super-bowl-after-asking-donations/72603231007/
Steinbeck, J. (1962). Travels with Charley: In Search of America. Watts.
The history of crowdfunding. Fundable. https://www.fundable.com/crowdfunding101/history-of-crowdfunding
Virtue ethics. Ethics Unwrapped. (2022). https://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/glossary/virtue-ethics
Unauthorized Use of Shubnum Khan's Headshots and Watsuji’s Ethics of Trust Analysis
By Veronica N. Rodriguez
Abstract
This case study examines the ethical dilemmas derived from the unauthorized use of Shubnum Khan's headshots as stock photos, focusing on issues of consent, privacy, and intellectual property rights in the digital age. Khan, a South African author and artist, inadvertently allowed her images to be used without explicit consent, leading to their widespread distribution with fabricated narratives. Using Watsuji’s Ethics of Trust as the ethical framework, this study critiques the decisions made and analyzes the case's implications, emphasizing the importance of autonomy, informed consent, and privacy in digital media.
Keywords: Shubnum Khan, stock photos, consent, privacy, intellectual property rights, digital age, Watsuji’s Ethics of Trust
Introduction
This case study dives into the ethical dilemmas surrounding the unauthorized use of headshots as stock photos, shedding light on issues of consent, privacy, and intellectual property rights in the digital age. Shubnum Khan, a South African author and artist, unknowingly found herself in a situation where her headshots were used without her explicit permission. This led to her images being circulated widely across various platforms with false stories, blurring the line between reality and fiction, not only affecting her image digitally, but through personal matters too. The purpose of this case is to critique the decisions that led up to this situation, and use Watsuji’s Ethics of Trust as an ethical framework to determine an end result or point-of-decision.
Background
Shubnum Khan is a fun-loving, adventurous author and artist. Back in 2018, she tagged along with a friend to a photo shoot, thinking she would get some free headshots (Khan, 2018). It was not that she assumed they were free, that is how they were advertised. So of course, looking for headshots (that can be expensive) to use for jobs, it looked like a wonderful opportunity. The photographer handed her a form to sign quickly. It happened fast and she did not give it much thought since the shoot was starting soon. The photographer just said to quickly sign the form and to not be a burden in any sense, she did. Later on the photographer, “explained he was sorry I felt hard done by but it was all legal & explained to us beforehand (I really don't remember anyone telling me my pic would become a stockphoto & that it could be distorted)” (Khan’s Twitter, 2018).
She assumed that this little signature was a liability form, or just something saying he could use it for his headshot portfolio since that is the detail he gave, but that was far from the truth. Little did Khan know, by scribbling her name on that form, she accidentally gave permission to the photographer, allowing them to sell her headshots as stock photos without asking her first or even giving her credit. She signed away all the rights to those images, and had no idea because this “fast/rushed” form signing only had the information in fine print. Fast forward and Khan's face is plastered everywhere online. Each picture comes with made-up stories and all sorts of weird scenarios.
From being an immigrant in Canada to selling rugs in NYC, leading hikes in Cambodia, and even looking for love in France, her face was used in ways she never agreed to. Even advertisements that give a false narrative on her health, ethnicity, and political choices.
A editor on the website PhotographyTalk wrote about some places her face had been featured:
“And on one website, her photo is used in conjunction with the name Phoebe Lopez, a campaign manager from San Francisco that clearly does not actually exist. Other sites have promoted alter egos of Shubnum as being a tour guide, a tutor, and a foster care worker.” (Editor, 2018)
This whole mess brings up ethical questions about who gets to control your image and how much say you should have in it, especially in the digital age. Was it okay for the photographer to use Shubnum Khan’s headshots without her say-so, and will look at it through an ethical lens to figure out what is right and wrong.
Central to this analysis are the principles of autonomy and informed consent. These are vital aspects of ethical decision-making. Autonomy emphasizes an individual's right to informed choices, free from manipulation, while informed consent requires adequate information and understanding for decision-making. Khan's case raises concerns about the lack of transparency and respect for her autonomy and right to informed consent. Autonomy is the idea that you should get to make choices about yourself without someone else messing with it. Khan didn’t really get that chance since the whole signing thing happened super fast and without all the info. There was important information left out and by rushing her and using her signature, this photographer took advantage of her. Plus, we will discuss informed consent, which is just a fancy way of saying you should know what you are agreeing to before you agree to it. Khan did not quite get that luxury either.
Autonomy
Autonomy is a fundamental aspect of personal agency, emphasizing an individual's right to make decisions about themselves without influence or coercion. In the context of digital media ethics, autonomy becomes a very critical concern, as demonstrated in the case of Shubnum Khan's unauthorized use of headshots. Khan found herself unwittingly entangled in a web of ethical complexities when her signed consent was exploited without her full understanding.
It is apparent that the narrative of autonomy in this case is multifaceted. First, there is the issue of the rushed signing process, where Khan was presented with a form under time pressure, leading to incomplete information disclosure. This lack of clarity deprived Khan of the opportunity to exercise informed consent, a key component of autonomy. The photographer's actions, although legally permissible due to the signed agreement, raise ethical questions about the ethical responsibility to ensure full understanding and agency in such transactions.
Furthermore, the subsequent use of Khan's images in various contexts without her explicit consent further eroded her autonomy. The fabricated narratives and false testimonies associated with her photos not only misrepresented her identity but also infringed upon her right to control her own image and reputation. This highlights the ethical imperative of respecting individuals' autonomy in the digital realm, where information can spread rapidly and be manipulated with far-reaching consequences.
Informed Consent
Informed consent emerges as a critical ethical concept in the context of Khan's case. Again, the rushed signing process and lack of comprehensive information provided to Khan exemplify the challenges individuals face in making fully informed decisions about their personal data and image rights. Informed consent demands transparency, clear communication, and a thorough understanding of the implications of consent. This was not given to Khan. Her experience underscores the ethical imperative of ensuring that individuals have access to sufficient information and agency in consenting to how their data and images are used, reinforcing the need for ethical frameworks that prioritize informed decision-making and respect individuals.
Privacy
Privacy is a large concern in the digital age, as demonstrated by Shubnum Khan's case. This incident underscores the ease with which personal information and images can be disseminated online without individuals' knowledge or consent. Khan's experience highlights the importance of having control over one’s own information and the need for robust privacy protections in digital spaces. It also raises broader questions about data security, consent mechanisms, and the ethical responsibilities of platforms and users in safeguarding privacy rights. When navigating the complexities of digital media ethics, preserving privacy becomes a foundational principle that requires continuous attention and ethical awareness.
The Digital Era
In regards to the digital era, the landscape of media ethics is constantly evolving, presenting new challenges and opportunities. Shubnum Khan's case shows the complexities that arise in the digital age, where information can be disseminated rapidly and extensively across various platforms. The unauthorized use of her headshots highlights the potential risks individuals face in terms of privacy, autonomy, and control over their digital identities. Moreover, the interconnected nature of digital platforms raises questions about accountability, transparency, and ethical responsibilities among stakeholders, including photographers, websites hosting content, and consumers. This era necessitates a heightened ethical awareness and a proactive approach to addressing emerging ethical dilemmas. By fostering ethical frameworks and promoting ethical literacy, we can navigate the digital landscape responsibly and uphold ethical standards that respect individuals' rights and dignity in the digital realm.
Ethics of Trust
In analyzing this case through Watsuji’s Ethics of Trust, autonomy emerges as a central ethical principle that demands transparency, respect, and agency in all interactions involving personal data and image rights. The ethical framework underscores the need for clear communication, informed decision-making processes, and mechanisms to safeguard individuals' autonomy in an increasingly interconnected and digitized society. Ultimately, this case serves as a poignant reminder of the ethical responsibilities inherent in digital media practices, urging stakeholders to prioritize autonomy and informed consent to uphold ethical standards and protect individuals' rights.
Watsuji's Ethics of Trust, rooted in Japanese philosophy, emphasizes the importance of trust, of course, interpersonal relationships, and communal ethics in ethical decision-making. At its core, this framework prioritizes values such as empathy, reciprocity, and mutual understanding, aiming to truly foster harmonious relationships within communities.
Trust is a central idea or belief of Watsuji's ethics, highlighting the significance of trustworthiness and reliability in interpersonal interactions. Trust is not a transactional aspect but the foundational element that underpins ethical conduct and societal unity, or harmony. Watsuji emphasizes the cultivation of trust through sincere communication, ethical behavior, and a genuine concern for the well-being of others. All things that were not really taken into consideration with Khan’s situation.
In his work "Climate and Culture," Watsuji discusses how the cultural climate shapes ethical norms and values within a society (Watsuji, 2011). For example, in a culture that prioritizes collectivism and harmony, trust is often based on interpersonal relationships and group cohesion rather than individualistic achievements.
Interpersonal relations play a crucial role in Watsuji's Ethics of Trust, emphasizing what connects an individual to its community. Watsuji argues that ethical actions are shaped by the dynamics of social interactions. Respect for others' perspectives, active listening, and empathetic engagement are essential when trying to build positive interpersonal relationships within an ethical framework. Watsuji advocates for ethical decision-making that considers the broader impact on the community, prioritizing the common good over individual interests.
In Watsuji's Ethics of Trust, values and stakeholders are typically prioritized based on their contribution to trust-building, harmonious relationships, and communal welfare. The framework encourages ethical behavior that promotes trustworthiness, empathy, and cooperation, benefiting both individuals and the larger community. By prioritizing values that foster trust and emphasizing the interconnectedness of all stakeholders, Watsuji's Ethics of Trust provides a holistic approach to ethical decision-making that resonates in diverse cultural contexts.
A study by Mayer et al. (1995) highlights the importance of integrity in trust, stating that individuals trust those who demonstrate integrity by adhering to ethical standards and values. Throughout this case there is not mugh integrity shown through the photographer and websites, but we will get more into the stakeholders later.
Trust also involves a sense of responsibility and accountability. Noddings (2013) suggests that ethical trust requires individuals to take responsibility for their actions and the impact of those actions on others, which all parties did end up eventually doing in this case.
Facts of the Case
Shubnum Khan's experience of her headshots being used without her authorization as stock photos traces back to a free photoshoot she participated in during her university days. Here are the facts of the case based on credible sources including what happened before this incident, during, and after:
In 2010, Shubnum Khan participated in a free photoshoot with a photographer during her time at university. The photographer promised professional portraits in exchange for Khan's participation, without any monetary compensation. As part of the photoshoot, Khan signed a release form. However, she admits that she did not read the fine print of the contract thoroughly. This release form essentially granted the photographer the rights to use her images as stock photos, including allowing for the "distortion of character," as stated in Khan's own Twitter thread about the incident (Editor, 2018).
Two years after the photoshoot “a friend of Shubnum noticed an advertisement for immigration halfway around the world in Canada. The woman in the advertisement looked a lot like Shubnum” (Editor, 2018). This discovery led Khan to investigate further and she found numerous instances of her image being used in various contexts around the world without her knowledge or consent.
Khan claims to have seen her image used over 50 times, appearing in ads for different products and services globally. These uses ranged from promoting immigration in Canada to portraying roles like a tour leader in Cambodia and a teacher in California.
One concerning aspect of the unauthorized use was the misleading representations associated with Khan's image. Some ads included fabricated testimonials claiming she had used certain products or services, which could potentially mislead consumers. When Khan confronted the photographer about the unauthorized use of her images, she was informed that she had signed away the rights to the images, which were now being sold as stock photos. The photographer mentioned that everything was legal from his end but agreed to remove the photo from his website, although it could still be used by those who had purchased it.
Following this experience, Khan took to social media, particularly Twitter, to share her story as a cautionary tale. She warned others to be cautious about signing contracts without fully understanding the implications, especially regarding the use of their images and the potential for misrepresentation.
Case Analysis - What If Watsuji’s Ethics of Trust Had Been Used
Principles and Values
In Shubnum Khan's case, several principles and values come into play, both on the side of decision-makers (such as the photographer and potentially those who purchased the stock images, aka, the stakeholders) and in the ethical considerations raised by Khan herself.
Truth, the decision-makers in this case did not fully uphold the principle of truth. While legally permissible, the use of Khan's image without her explicit consent or full understanding of the consequences lacked transparency and honesty. The inclusion of fabricated testimonials further distorted the truth in advertising. This was something that Khan particularly was upset about, above most things.
Next, diversity. Khan's image being used in various contexts without her permission raises concerns about diversity and representation. Decision-makers should have considered the diverse backgrounds and identities of individuals whose images they use, ensuring respectful and accurate representation.
Onto humaneness, the unauthorized use of Khan's image, including potential distortion and misrepresentation, lacks humaneness. Decision-makers should prioritize empathy and respect for individuals' rights and dignity, especially in commercial contexts involving personal images. What seems to be the most inhumane about this situation is that not only were websites using the information lying but they were also altering her face and making additions to it like a bindi, which can be seen as racially motivated and wrong for assuming her ethnicity. Not only that but in some ads she is being advertised as the face of a brand for melasma after pregnancy and other conditions that she herself does not have.
There are justice implications in this case concerning fairness and the balance of power. Khan, as the individual whose image was used, should have had more control and understanding of how her image would be used. Decision-makers should ensure fair and just treatment of individuals in contractual agreements involving image rights.
The principle of freedom and liberty suggests that individuals should have the freedom to control their own image and how it is used. In this case, Khan's freedom to make informed decisions about the use of her image was compromised due to lack of transparency and understanding.
Stewardship is another value at play here. Decision-makers, including the photographer and those using the stock images, have a responsibility for the ethical stewardship of individuals' images. This includes ensuring informed consent, respectful representation, and transparency in commercial practices involving personal images.
Finally, harmony, is an important factor in Ethics of Trust. The principle of harmony emphasizes the need for balance and mutual understanding in human interactions. In this case, there was a lack of harmony between the rights and responsibilities of decision-makers and the individual whose image was used. Ethical harmony would involve respecting individual rights while also engaging in fair and transparent commercial practices.
Overall, applying these ethical principles reveal how decision-makers handled the unauthorized use of Shubnum Khan's headshots as stock photos, highlighting the importance of ethical considerations such as truth, diversity, humaneness, justice, freedom/liberty, stewardship, and harmony in commercial and contractual agreements involving personal images.
Stakeholders and Loyalties
This case considers various stakeholders involved, including the photographer, Khan, her friends and family, the companies buying from the photographer, the communities using the advertisements, the companies profiting from the images, the customers of the false ads, and the communities funding the ads (billboards, benches, etc.).
The photographer prioritized stakeholders (in this case, potentially himself or/and his business) by selling the stock images for profit. Loyalties, however, were not fully aligned with ethical standards as there was a lack of transparency and accountability regarding the use of Khan's image.
Shubnum Khan’s loyalty lies with herself and her values, including the right to control her own image. However, she was unaware of the extent to which her image would be used, and she would not have willingly put herself in this situation.
The friends and family of Khan also play a role. Their loyalty would be primarily to Khan's well-being and interests. But they were really affected by this whole situation when it came to ethical, political, and religious beliefs. They saw Khan differently in the beginning, not knowing her images were being used with false testimonies that did not truly represent her own voice.
Additionally, the communities using the advertisements may have been persuaded by the ads but were potentially misled due to the false representations associated with Khan's image. The companies involved prioritized their shareholders by leveraging Khan's images to attract customers and drive revenue. However, if these companies were aware of the deceptive nature of the advertisements, their commitment to ethical practices would be called into question.
Customers who were exposed to the false advertisements may have been influenced by the fabricated testimonials or representations associated with Khan's image. Loyalties were potentially exploited if customers were deceived into making purchases based on false information presented in the ads.
Communities that unknowingly founded the ads, such as through billboards or benches, might not have been fully aware of the deceptive nature of the advertisements. In supporting these ads, their loyalty to promoting legitimate and ethical advertising practices may have been compromised.
In the context of Watsuji’s Ethics of Trust, decision-makers should prioritize building trust and mutual understanding among stakeholders. This includes transparent and ethical practices in image usage, truthful representations in advertising, and accountability for the impact of advertisements on communities and consumers. The lack of transparency, misrepresentation, and potential exploitation of stakeholders' trust in Khan's case highlights the importance of ethical considerations in commercial and advertising practices.
Point of Decision
The Point-of-Decision model (Land et al.), an all-encompassing framework for ethical decision-making, explores the intricate dimensions of ethics in our everyday lives. It navigates the challenges of aligning personal values, principles, and potential outcomes. By incorporating various philosophical viewpoints such as Communitarianism and Watsuji’s Ethics of Trust, alongside the usual Utilitarianism, this model expands the ethical discourse and promotes a more inclusive decision-making process.
When exploring Shubnum Khan's unauthorized use of headshots, the Point-of-Decision model provides an approach that examines different decision points. An essential factor is the ethical assessment of the photographer's behavior, raising concerns about meeting obligations related to autonomy and informed consent. Moreover, the model encourages reflection on the duties of platforms that display the images, emphasizing transparency and accountability in digital media operations.
Furthermore, the case sparks conversations about consumer awareness and ethical consumption, highlighting the significance of authenticity and ethical portrayal in digital content. It also brings to light the legal and ethical consequences of misrepresentation, underscoring the importance of integrity and precision in digital media representation.
The model emphasizes the need for ethical guidelines and frameworks regarding future consent and usage. It highlights the significance of informed consent, rights protection, and ethical awareness in addressing the intricate landscape of digital media ethics. In essence, the case resonates with the core tenets of the model by illustrating ethical challenges, decision-making processes, and philosophical viewpoints within digital media ethics.
Case Resolution
Despite signing a release form, Khan was unaware of the extensive commercial use her images would undergo. This situation raises ethical concerns about informed consent, transparency, and respect for individual rights, especially regarding the use of personal images in advertising. “On the bright side, after talking with the photographer, he agreed to remove Shubnum's photos from his website, though he did note that everything he did was perfectly legal” (Editor, 2018).
Through the lens of Watsuji’s Ethics of Trust, the case highlights the importance of trust, mutual understanding, and respect in commercial agreements. Decision-makers should prioritize transparency, informed consent, and ethical advertising practices to avoid exploiting individuals and misrepresenting them for commercial gain.
Khan's response to the situation, although resilient and advocacy-driven, underscores the ongoing challenges individuals face in protecting their image rights in the digital age. The case serves as a reminder of the need for ethical frameworks and practices to safeguard individual rights and dignity in commercial and contractual agreements.
“So, if anything, use my story as a cautionary tale," she writes. "Don’t sign up for free photoshoots, read what you sign and also don’t believe most of the things you read on the internet” (Khan, 2018).
Discussion Questions
- How does Watsuji’s Ethics of Trust prioritize values and stakeholders differently compared to other ethical frameworks?
- In what ways could Watsuji’s Ethics of Trust guide decision-making in digital media ethics to prevent similar unauthorized use of individuals' images?
- How do trust, interpersonal relations, and communal ethics intersect in digital media ethics, as demonstrated in this case using Watsuji’s Ethics of Trust?
- Should individuals like Khan receive compensation for the unauthorized use of their images, even if they initially agreed to the terms? What ethical principles should guide such compensation decisions?
- What responsibilities do photographers, companies purchasing stock images, and advertisers have in ensuring ethical practices and transparency in using individuals' images?
- How can individuals protect their image rights and navigate ethical considerations in contractual agreements, especially in the digital age where images can circulate widely without control?
- How do cultural and societal norms influence perceptions of image rights and ethical practices in digital media, and how can ethical frameworks like Watsuji’s Ethics of Trust address these complexities?
- What role does informed consent play in digital media ethics, particularly concerning the use of personal images, and how can it be strengthened to uphold ethical standards and respect individual autonomy?
References
Alexander, J. Author Signs Free Photoshoot Contract without Proofing, Finds Her Portrait Used All over the World. Fstoppers, 3 Aug. 2018, fstoppers.com/legal/author-signs-free-photoshoot-contract-without-proofing-finds-her-portrait-us ed-274877.
Baker, S. (n.d.). A woman posed for a free photoshoot, and found years later her image had been twisted in ways she couldn’t imagine, all around the world. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/woman-finds-her-face-around-the-world-after-posing-for-free-p hotoshoot-2018-8
Bowen, S. (2005). A Practical Model for Ethical Decision Making in Issues Management and Public Relations. Journal of Public Relations Research, 17, 191-216. 10.1207/s1532754xjprr1703_1.
“Code of Ethics for Visual Journalists.” NPPA, nppa.org/resources/code-ethics#. Accessed 21 Mar. 2024.
Unknown. (2018, August 3). She didn’t read the fine print, and now her photo is being used in ads all over the world. PhotographyTalk. https://www.photographytalk.com/photography-articles/8735-she-didn-t-read-the-fine-print-andnow-her-photo-is-being-used-in-ads-all-over-the-world#:~:text=Then%2C%20about%20six%20 years%20ago,looked%20a%20 lot%20like%20Shubnum.text=As%20it%20turns%20out%2C%20the,being%20used%20for%20the%20ad.
Land, M., Fuse, K., & Hornaday, B. W. (2014). Contemporary media ethics: A practical guide for students, scholars and professionals in a globalized world (2nd ed.). Spokane, WA: Marquette Books.
Mcleod, S. (2015, February 5). Case Study Method. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/case-study.html
Mayer, R. C., Davis, J. H., & Schoorman, F. D. (1995). An integrative model of organizational trust. Academy of Management Review, 20(3), 709-734. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1995.9508080335
Noddings, N. (2013). Caring: A relational approach to ethics and moral education (2nd ed.). University of California Press.
Shubnum Khan | Order the Djinn Waits (@shubnumkhan) · x, twitter.com/ShubnumKhan. Accessed 21 Mar. 2024.
Watsuji, T. (2011). Climate and culture: A philosophical study. Translated by Geoffrey Bownas. Greenwood Publishing Group.
Zhang, M. (2023, Feb. 1). She Posed for a Free Photo Shoot, Now Her Face Is Showing Up Everywhere. PetaPixel. petapixel.com/2018/08/02/she-posed-for-a-free-photo-shoot-now-her-face-is-misused-everywhere/.
A Case Study of a Mississippi Daycare Nightmare
By Aspen Owen
Abstract
The Lil' Blessings Child Care and Learning Center case in Hamilton, Mississippi, serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of accountability, professionalism, and ethical behavior in childcare settings. In October 2022, disturbing videos were displayed online showing daycare workers terrorizing young children while wearing a mask that resembles the "Scream" horror films. The incident resulted in the termination of the employees involved and criminal charges for child abuse and related offenses. This case exemplifies the need for stronger regulatory oversight, comprehensive staff training, and a culture of ethical behavior within childcare facilities. It also highlights the role of parents, guardians, and the larger community in protecting the safety and well-being of children in daycare environments. By examining this case, we can take valuable insights into the importance of prioritizing child safety and advocating for professional accountability in childcare settings, using virtue ethics as our philosophical framework.
Keywords: Child abuse, daycare negligence, professional misconduct, child safety, childcare provider ethics, virtue ethics
Introduction
In October 2022, a disturbing incident occurred at a local daycare center in Hamilton, Mississippi. This case raised concerns about the child’s safety within the daycare and questioned the appropriate care they were supposed to be given, five employees were fired after a video recording went viral across the web, showing daycare workers wearing scary masks and attempting to yell while chasing the children in the daycare. This case study dives deep into the ethical framework that this daycare displayed and the consequences that not only the daycare workers face, but the children and parents of the incident, forced to overcome a horribly traumatic fear. The purpose of this case is to critique the decision that these daycare workers have chosen to execute, using virtue ethics as the framework.
Background
Five daycare workers were charged with child abuse in Hamilton, Mississippi. The daycare workers were facing charges from their tortuous behavior to the children within the daycare, the workers who had on Halloween masks and purposefully scaring the children. The masks worn resembled from the moving ‘Scream’. Videos surfaced all throughout the internet of the daycare employees just inches away from the children’s faces, while the children were screaming in fear and complete terror. One of the five daycare workers was video recording the whole scene and presumed to record even after the recognizable fear on these children's faces, “Several people who viewed the video said online that they were disturbed by what they saw” (Diaz, 2022).
Throughout this case, virtue ethics was a huge factor within the daycare and the community itself. Virtue ethics is based around the concept of good morals, being a good person with good moral duties to society. Virtue ethics is one of the biggest factors when it comes to creating healthy and successful relationships. Videos surfaced the internet of this horrific scene, “Children can be seen and heard crying and, at times, running away from the employee wearing the mask while another employee gives directions about which children acted good or bad. The employee in the mask is shown screaming inches away from children’s faces at times” (Associated Press, 2022). Alyssa Hayes, mother of a young girl at the daycare center, stated to ABC News, "I want them to see the terror on her face because that is what I see every night" (2022). As a daycare organization, the parents of the children are putting their utmost trust into the hands of the employees, hoping that they will care for their children just as much as their parents do. Unfortunately, this is a case where the trust was completely lost and it resulted in major consequences. For this case, the stakeholders include the parents of the children/family, the children affected themselves, the daycare workers, the other daycare workers who were not involved, the owner of the daycare, and the community/town in which it is located within.
When looking at this case, the stakeholders are prioritized to the top of the Point-of-Decision (Land et al., 2014) pyramid, leaving the daycare employees in the same category as the victims and their families. Of course, it is evident to see the conclusion and decide that the choice that the owner of the daycare made, to fire the daycare workers was ethically and morally correct. However, this is now a consequence that will stick with these previous workers forever. A statement was released from the one of the daycare workers who was involved within the incident, earlier this month, McCandless released an apology saying the incident ‘wasn't meant to harm anybody’ or ‘ill-intentioned’. "The teachers asked me if I would do it or if they could use [the mask] to get their class to listen or clean up… I'm not a child abuser," McCandless previously said (Sen, 2022).
Virtue Ethics
When applying virtue ethics to this case, it is all about what is morally right and wrong. It goes in the same category of asking yourself, “Is this good or bad, should I do it or should not do it?” Trianosky (1990) proposes the question of ‘What is right or obligatory to do?’ (1990). In this specific daycare situation, when looking at the morally correct choice to make, is to fire and terminate the employees who were involved from the organization as a whole. Virtue ethics is based around the concept of good character and fulfilling an ethically positive life, some examples of these types of traits would include honesty, courage, loyalty, justice, respect, etc.
Throughout this type of framework is a way to reflect on good character, if a person has virtuous actions. It is argued that virtue ethics is most relevant because it specifies the nature of social goods, and provides a relevant framework of thinking about good practice (Bessent, 2009). As far as the daycare, virtue ethics through the employees involved, did not display morally ethical traits. The employees should have considered the well-being and emotional needs of the children, instead of behaving in a manner that gave children traumatic distress. The idea of virtue ethics is also a way to create or, once created to preserve one’s virtue, and thus to keep oneself in equilibrium (Gottlieb, 2009). Virtue ethics emphasizes treating others fairly and with equal dignity, this action was not displayed when choosing to treat the children in a manner of punishment.
Facts of Case
In October 2022, a horrific video surfaced online showing several daycare workers at Lil' Blessings Child Care and Learning Center in Hamilton, Mississippi, scaring young children by wearing a mask resembling the one from the "Scream" horror films. The footage displayed the children crying, screaming, and trying to run away from the masked employee, while other workers were heard laughing and encouraging the behavior. Shortly after the incident, “The suspects were arrested Wednesday, and the four facing felony charges made their initial court appearances Thursday, according to the timeline laid out in the release” (Turnbull & Babineau, 2022). The daycare's owner confirmed that the employees involved had been fired, and the incident resulted in a criminal investigation. To conclude, five former daycare workers were charged with child abuse and related offenses for their participation on the scene.
Case Analysis
Principles and Values - The decision makers in this case defined principles and values in the most unethical way possible. The owner of the daycare had run the daycare for over 20 years during the time of the incident and had never condoned such behavior. The owner, Sheila Sanders, did not know that this incident occurred until it surfaced throughout the internet. By firing the employees who were participating in this disturbing case, it showed the value that the daycare holds for itself. Of course, many parents were terribly frustrated and mad once it was brought to their attention while their child was at daycare. "I was in complete shock of what I witnessed," Katelyn Johnson, mother of a child who attends Lil' Blessings, told ABC News. "Whether they had a mask on or a mask off, their behavior was unacceptable. My blood pressure was raised. It broke my heart for my child. I was angry." (2022). Virtue ethics is about doing good acts, that eventually leads to human flourishing. In this case it is the trust put into the childcare providers of the daycare, who failed everyone immensely from their poor behavior.
Stakeholders and Loyalties - The decision of firing the employees involved showed the loyalty within the children, their families and the people of the community. However, with the legal charges that face the five employees, the consequences will be difficult to disappear. Making the decision to fire and press charges against the employees was the ethical and morally correct choice to make. However, this type of behavior will follow these five workers forever. When it comes to future jobs, being accepted into organizations/companies, future relationships are all factors that might be inflicted from this incident. As for the parents and the future daycare children of the school, the owners' loyal commitment to terminate anyone or any behavior that is going against the school’s code of ethics and morals, is being treated properly.
Point of Decision
Looking at the Land Model, developed by Mitch Land, the point of decision is at the very top of the pyramid model of analysis (Land et al., 2014). The final decision to fire the employees was a decision that was appropriate to everyone involved, including the community. The traumatic distress left on the children and their families was enough to press charges against these daycare women. What really took this case to an unethical level, was that after moments of this behavior, the daycare employees did not stop. It was clearly evident from video footage that the children were screaming for help right away, however this did not slow down the employees from taunting the children.
Case Resolution
This case resulted in a firing of all five of the daycare workers. Originally, they were all charged with felony child abuse. However, instead they each received a misdemeanor charge, after the grand jury declined to indict the women. As for the owner of the daycare, Sheila Sanders, is not facing charges. She has said that at least four of the employees were fired after the video came to light (NBC, 2022). One of the five employees was previously charged with a misdemeanor and failure to report an abuse assault against a minor, leading her to eventually receive termination from the organization as well. There is no evidence that the daycare had permanently shut down, so as far as the public knows, it is still open for business. We do know that all five participants involved in this case have been terminated from the organization. From research, the daycare did recover from this incident. A statement from the Washington Post shared that the videos have infuriated some residents in the tiny community of Hamilton, an unincorporated area 50 miles south of Tupelo where Lil’ Blessings is the town’s only daycare in business listings. Two days after the incident, Crook urged residents to be patient and let the investigation unfold, while at the same time acknowledging that the videos were “hard to watch.” (Bellware, 2022). According to People Magazine (2022), "The people that did those acts are no longer with us. They were fired. I wasn't here at the time and wasn't aware they were doing that. I don't condone that and never have. I just want to say it's been taken care of," Sanders told the outlet.
Discussion/conclusion
This case brings awareness to child care provider facilities and organizations. For any parent or guardian, leaving your child in the hands of another care provider is such a vulnerable and sacred spot. Parents would always expect that their child is being cared for properly within a daycare situation, so an incident this traumatizing for some many people is completely unacceptable and consequences are well deserved for the participants. When it comes to someone taking care of your child or watching your child, having a good moral compass is a must. For this case, the virtuous actions were completely lost and it not only affected the families of the children, but the community as a whole. A large takeaway from this case study in Hamilton, Mississippi, was the importance of true ethics. To ask yourself, what does good morals mean to you? Does this act do more harm than good, am I hurting others around me? It is about creating the greatest good for the greatest quality.
Discussion questions
- What ethical principles and values should guide the behavior of childcare providers, and how can these principles be promoted and upheld within childcare settings?
- How can parents, guardians, and the wider community ensure that childcare facilities maintain high standards of safety and care for the children they serve? Are there specific measures that can be taken to prevent abuse and mistreatment in these settings?
- Should there be stricter regulations and monitoring systems for childcare facilities to ensure compliance with safety standards and prevent abuse?
Extra Resources/Link
References
Balagtas, T. (2022, October 20). Daycare Workers Arrested After Video Allegedly Shows Them Scaring Kids with Mask from 'Scream' People Magazine. https://people.com/crime/daycare-workers-scream-mask-scaring-kids-charged/
Bellware, K. (2022, October 21). Day-care workers charged with child abuse after scaring kids with masks. Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/10/21/daycare-mask-child-abuse/
Bessant, J. (2009). Aristotle meets youth work: a case for virtue ethics. Journal of Youth Studies, 12(4), 423–438. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676260902866843
Day care workers charged with child abuse after scaring kids with ‘Scream’ mask. (2022, October 21). NBC New York. https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/day-care-workers-charged-after-scaring-kids-with-scream-mask/3917104/
Diaz, J. (2022, October 21). Ex-Day care workers charged after scaring children with ‘Scream’ mask. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/20/us/mississippi-day-care-abuse-charges.html
Five Mississippi daycare workers charged with child abuse for terrifying toddlers Halloween mask. (2022, October 21). Meaw. https://meaww.com/five-mississippi-daycare-workers-charged-with-child-abuse-for-terrifying-toddlers-halloween-mask
Land, M., Fuse, K., & Hornaday, B. (2014). Contemporary Media Ethics (2nd Ed.) Marquette Books: Spokane.
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