QUESTION $42$

$-$You've been collaborating with a few other students in your course on Ethical and Social Issues in Information Technology. Generally, you've just been talking to spark ideas and offering the occasional proofread, but Dan sends the group an email with another idea: The bibliography for my paper is taking forever, and l$\text{'}$m not even sure I$\text{'}$m doing it right! Besides, I$\text{'}$m sure we used a lot of the same sources. Can we share our resources so we don't have to duplicate work? We can post our bibliographies on my Facebook page. Dan

As you reflect on Dan's request, remember that the reasons given for acting are as important as the action itself. Knowing that Dan favors the Results Lens, you want to respond in a way that would speak to his ethical preferences.

Using the criteria of the Results Lens $($consequentialism$),$ which of the following responses is the most ethically mature way of responding to Dan

a$.$ "Sounds good, Dan. As long as we're all writing our own papers, we can share bibliographies. Our long$-$term self$-$interest won't be served if we share ideas, but we can collaborate on bibliographies just fine, which will make all of our papers better."

b$.$ "I've checked the rules and Dan's idea works out just fine. We're not being unfair or cheating or anything by helping each other with bibliographies. I$\text{'}$m happy to help, Dan, because in a future assignment, I might be the one struggling and you'll be able to help me$."$

c$.$ "I know we might be able to get away with it$,$ but let's just each do our own work. We have a responsibility to work independently$-$let's play it safe and make sure we meet that obligation."