That is, the scenario suggests an either/or: either you steal the CD and, presuming you don’t get caught, get to enjoy some great music for free – or you don’t. These may well be your two primary options, but, in ethical analysis especially, it is always a good idea to see if we are clear about all the realistic options, not just the most obvious ones.
2. Develop – individually, perhaps in group discussion, and/or as a class – as fully as you can, the arguments, evidence, reasons, and/or other grounds that support each of the options you describe in (1) above.
3. Given that you have likely described at least two possible options, each with reasonably strong supporting arguments, at this point, can you provide any additional arguments, evidence, reasons, and/or other grounds for a specific choice that help justify that choice as the better of the available options?
4. (Optional: You may want to review at least the first two ethical frameworks discussed in chapter 6, consequentialism/utilitarianism and deontology. After doing so, return to the arguments, etc., that you’ve provided above. Do you notice whether your arguments are more consequentialist, perhaps utilitarian, and/or more deontological in some way?)