- Everybody did it.
- Working extra hours at the bookstore would put
pressure on both her studying and recreational time.
Mary considered the following arguments against
copying Frank’s software:
- She knew that copying Frank’s software was stealing
the product of someone else’s effort. She viewed
herself as an honest person. She had never stolen
anything, and she knew that she would never consid-
er shoplifting something worth $199 from a store,
even if she knew she would not get caught. In fact, if
she had found a wallet containing $200 in cash, she
would go to great lengths to return the wallet and its
contents to its owner.- She had the money to buy the software.
After carefully considering her analysis, Mary picked up
the phone to call Frank and tell him her decision.
Case Study IV-8 • Mary Morrison’s Ethical Issue (Revised) 667