1. If Fred were a Utilitarian, what would he do?
Utilitarian is a consequentialist theory where right and wrong depends on the consequences of one’s actions for everyone who might be affected by them. In other words, Utilitarian wants a system that will bring good and happiness to the society as a whole. One’s decision should base the balance of happiness over unhappiness, for everyone that affected by that decision.
In this case where Fred has singed a confidentiality agreement with Greyarea Inc., which makes him unable to leak out any information to the public about his work or research findings. If he leaks out any confidential information to the public that the cigarettes are more harmful, then his consequences of him being sued by Greyarea due to him breaching the contrast would be the result.
Therefore, if Fred did give out the information about his newly developed cigarettes to the public, he would be right and wrong. To his company, he would consider doing wrong; however, to the public, he would consider doing the right thing. If Fred were a Utilitarian he would want to bring good to the society as a whole by letting the public know that the cigarettes in the production is actually more additive and might have a higher chance of developing cancer in smokers. He would ignore the fact that his company will sue him. He would also disregard the fact that it would affect his family financially and his career. His moral belief will tell him that his actions will result in good for the society and by him sacrificed himself to save everyone is much more important.