DP2

DecisionPoint
http://proethica.org/ontology/cases#DecisionPoint

DP2

Was Engineer C obligated to proactively disclose his competitive conflict of interest to the City Administrator before answering any questions about Engineer B's work, and would such disclosure alone have been sufficient to render his participation in the critique ethical?

Before answering any of the City Administrator's questions about Engineer B's work, Engineer C faces an independent obligation to affirmatively disclose his direct competitive financial interest in the outcome of the Client A contract renewal. This disclosure obligation is analytically distinct from — and cumulative with — the obligation to decline specific critique. The question is whether Engineer C should disclose his conflict of interest, and whether such disclosure alone would render his subsequent participation ethical.

Disclose competitive conflict of interest to the City Administrator before answering any questions, then decline to provide specific critique of Engineer B's decisions

Disclose competitive conflict of interest to the City Administrator and then proceed to answer specific questions and criticize Engineer B's decisions

Answer the City Administrator's questions and criticize Engineer B's decisions without disclosing competitive conflict of interest

Engineer C