From today's The Ethicist in the New York Times Magazine:
My family and I arrived at Disney World to find a crowd awaiting
entry. I casually mentioned that it was a shame that one of the
signature rides was down for maintenance. In fact, it was functioning,
but those around me overheard my remark and began to repeat it. When
the park opened, my son and I made a beeline for the ride and were able
to enjoy it twice without a wait. Was my comment unethical? — PHILIP
JUNKER, LITTLE ROCK, ARK.
All’s fair in love and Disney
World? That is a tempting notion, but one to be rejected. If you had
genuinely believed that the ride was out of order, your rumor-mongering
would have been inept but not unethical. But to deliberately deceive
everyone within earshot for your own advantage is, as I suspect you
know, discreditable. In ethics, intent counts.
Had you engaged in
this puny fraud after going on that ride, I would assume you were
suffering from some sort of moral dizziness, but given the order of
events, you’re merely a liar. And a cheat. A cheatin’ liar. A lyin’
cheater. Which sounds more euphonious to you? Either way, a fine title
for a country-western song.
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Okay. So the people who blindly believed him are stupid and should have verified for themselves as to whether this ride was open or not. I get it, BUT STILL. He is a big douche for starting that rumor in the first place. Hmph. Asshat.
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