Dave Emnett

5/5/06

Morality Journal 5



In this section we studied three moral issues that are very pressing in the world today: just war, medical ethics, and business ethics. We looked separately at each, found out just exactly what just war theory was and looked at the questions surrounding where morality comes into play in the hospital and in the corporate world. We discussed questions like: When is war just? Who makes the decision to treat or not treat a dying patient? When faced with making a good business decision that is also a “bad” moral decision what do you choose? In many cases these issues become life and death issues. Many of us will have to deal with some of these big decisions in our lifetime.

The three types of obligations of the just war theory:

1) Relative Obligation- this obligation is basically a rule of thumb, something that shows us what we ought to do. (can follow)

2) Prima Facie Obligation- an obligation that is intrinsically binding, but it does not necessarily determine one’s actual behavior. (should follow)

3) Absolute Obligation- one cannot refuse this obligation but must follow it under all circumstances because no other obligations can override it. (have to follow all the time)

Pressing moral dilemmas in medical ethics: The big question is who makes the decision on whether or not to treat a patient. But there are many others. Is it worth the risk to donate your organ? Should you treat a patient who even if they did live would live a life of pain and suffering? If there’s a 10% chance the donor will die should the doctor allow them to donate? Does the person need to have an emotional attachment to the patient to donate?

The main question in business ethics: When does morality override a good business decision? In the case of Feuerstein, he chose morality. He could have sold the company and settled into retirement with 300 million dollars. However in doing that he would have caused hundreds of his employees to lose their jobs. Would you want that weighing on your conscious? Some might say it would be a good business decision. Feuerstein said the thought did even cross his mind because it would be the wrong thing to do.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burley,_Idaho

Is it worth risking someone else’s life and or risking my life in donation of organs? How would I feel about it if it was my daughter that was going to die? - I really couldn’t say for sure what I would do in a situation like that. I’m sure that if it was someone I was close to, a family member, a good friend, I would gladly risk or even give my life for that person. However what if it was a complete stranger with a rare disease and only I could help them? I’m not so sure I could do it.

From studying these issues I can see the complexity that exists in each. In the future I will know to look deeply into the situation when I have to come to make a question about: Keeping my parents on life support? Laying-off my employees? Going to war for my country? I would hope that I would use the OPTION method in making these tough decisions.

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