Assignment Instructions

Case Study - Transcript

(Background reading: LMS: Ethics Lecture and the Ethics Practice Class and in particular the document PC6 Sample Worksheet Solution)

Question 1: Is there an Ethical Dilemma?

Read the case study below and then briefly discuss any ethical issues related to all of the people mentioned by name in the scenario.

Question 2: Four-step Ethical Analysis and Decision Making Process

Do the more structured ethical analysis and decision making process.

Complete this analysis using the headings that follow:

Step I. Understand the Situation

a) List and number the relevant facts

b) Which of these raise an ethical issue? What is the potential or resulting harm?

c) List the stakeholders involved

Step II. Isolate the Major Ethical Dilemma

Step III. Ethical Analysis

Consequentialism:

A. If action in Step II is done, who will be harmed?

B. If action in Step II is NOT done, who will be harmed?

C. Which alternative results in the least harm?

D. If action in Step II is done, who will benefit?

E. If action in Step II is NOT done, who will benefit?

F. Which alternative results in the maximum benefit?

Consequentialism Comments (on the choices at C. and F.):

Rights and Duties:

G. List relevant abridged rights and neglected duties.

Rights and Duties Comments:

Kant's Categorical Imperative:

H. If action in Step II is done, who will be treated with disrespect?

I. If action in Step II is NOT done, who will be treated with disrespect?

J. Which alternative is preferable?

K. If action in Step II is done, who will be treated unlike others?

L. If action in Step II is NOT done, who will be treated unlike others?

M. Which alternative is preferable?

N. Are there benefits if everyone did action in Step II?

O. Are there benefits if nobody did action in Step II?

P. Which alternative is preferable?

Step III Discussion

Step IV. Making a decision

a) Make a defensible ethical decision

b) List the steps needed to implement your defensible ethical decision.