Ethical Dilemma for you to ponder...?

Question

Studies have shown that when people are asked to consider ethical dilemmas, they use a different part of their brain than when they consider other types of decision making activities. Let's exercise that seldom use section of our brains...

You are walking down the street and find a wallet. When you look inside you realize that it belongs to Bill Gates. The wallet contains $1,000. Do you return the money? Why or why not?

There have been some very good and revealing answers. The reason I chose to present this dilemma is because it reveals so much of a person's character. I enjoy posting provocative questions to a diverse groups of people to see what transpires. This has been very fun and interesting. Thank you all so much for your very interesting answers. :-)

Answer 1

NO I don't return the damn money!!


Dah! You do it the Jersey way! You take the money out and mail the wallet to his address--no return address added.

Look at it as a gift and that luck was shining on you that day--
That thousand is meant for something in your life that is going on that is really important and we ALL know a mere thousand is a drop in the frikin bucket for Bill.


And might I now add that I got a thumbs down-lol- that if it were anyone else BESIDES a very famously ridiculously wealthy person,
I'd return it,
because I don't know their financial situation.
My brother lost a wallet with all his and his room-mates rent money in it for the month a few days before the rent was due.
Sometimes just knowing experiences like this make you more generous about your ethics.
It's not always finders keepers,
I'd hate to think I was taking someone's rent money or money for their sick kid or car payment or something...

But you know, my attitude about it might be different if I were a destitute mother with starving children....
you see, ethics change according to the situation, I'm not one of those foolish black and white people, the world is gray so you have to be gray too, if you're wise enough to tell the difference.......

Answer 2

It is know in the Social work world by using the Rogerian Theory that humans are in nature honest, hard working folks. Hence, If that would happen to me, I would make sure I find out Bill Gates phone number and would return the wallet to him. No question about it. It is called honesty and intrigity. Cause, it does not matter that he has billions of money in his pockets, and a $ 1,000 wouldn't hurt him. But it's the princple that should tell you to do the right thing and return it. Remember being honest gives you a wonderful knowledge of compfort. At least for me. I found money and returned it to the owner to the police station. And I got rewarded with a Thank you that's much more worth than money could ever be.

Answer 3

This is not a dilemma. If the wallet has identification in it that shows it belongs to Bill Gates or anyone else you, of course, return it because it is the right thing to do.

It is not up to any "finder" to determine whether or not this owner of the wallet "can afford" to lose a thousand dollars.

There is what is right and what is wrong - end of story. You return the wallet (and, by the way, you shouldn't expect any reward for doing the right thing either).

Answer 4

I would return the wallet despite the conflicting voices in my head telling me to do otherwise. each voice sounds like a celebrity.
One voice says " bill gates is not going to miss $1000, and you could really use it." -chris rock

voice 2: maybe if you keep it for a while and then return it, with all the money in it, you will get a reward- money. - Carlos Mencia

voice 3: is anybody looking? -Dave Chapelle

voice 4: do you remember the last time you misplaced your wallet? remember that feeling of panic and frustration? would you really wish that upon someone else? -Dr.Phil

voice 5: do what you wish but karma will have her way- Ghandi

Answer 5

Man you got me on this one.....I would probably take the money and send the wallet back.....however it IS Bill Gates and if you showed up in person to return it will all the money still in it he might give you a billion just for being honest.....but I know that's not the question.....I think I would take it.....now I hate myself...thanks

Answer 6

Yes, I'd return it because it's not mine. Why, because it's the right thing to do. If I lost my wallet I would want and wish someone would do that for me. Sure I could use the money, I might even smile and think of things I could buy or do with it if it were mine, but I would not keep it.

Answer 7

I found a wallet, although with not that much money and not belonging to Gates, but it had a few hundred dollars. I tracked down the owner and watched as he counted it to make sure I didn't steal any of it. I would still do it even knowing the outcome. Its not the other person we must live with. I must live with myself and my conscience.

Answer 8

Of course I would return the wallet and the cash. It doesn't belong to me. And, as for the Bill Gates thing - what if it isn't THE Bill Gates, and he needs that money for something like the down payment on a car because his car died and he has to have a car to get to work.

Answer 9

I return the Wallet. Honesty whether I need it or not or whether it
comes from a rich man or poor man there is no way I could rationalize keeping it. Besides Bill may give you a substantial reward.

Answer 10

I would definitely return it! I'm sure if he knew you were a good person and honest you may end up getting a much larger reward than $1;000!! I believe being honest always rewards you in the long end no matter what. What goes around in life, does come back to you! The good and the bad.