Exercises in applying moral theories

Please, address in writing either the PROBLEM #1 (both questions), or the PROBLEM #2 (both questions).

PROBLEM #1

Write an essay, approximately 3 typewritten pages, in which you address both of the following questions (roughly 1.5 page per question). Please, no cover pages! Let's save the forest! Make an extra copy of your work and save it for you file.

Question 1
In the case below, should Clark and the hospital have obtained the consent of the families to participate in the research? Answer this question from any two of the following points of view:

  • A) utilitarian perspective (include the discussion of alternatives, as well as the discussion of long and short term utilities);
  • B) a Kantian perspective (include the discussion if two different interpretations of categorical imperative);
  • C) some other deontological perspective and/or Gert's perspective.

    John Clark, a graduate student at a major university, wanted to research the emotional needs of families who had a dying relative. He decided that the best way to conduct this research was to work as a participant-observer in a hospital. He already had training and experience as a councilor, and he added to his qualifications by taking a course to become a nursing assistance.
    A small community hospital interested in family care allowed him to volunteer for ten hours a week as a nursing assistant and counselor. Clark informed the administration and stuff of his research intentions and received their approval for his work.
    Working in the intensive care unit and the emergency room, Clark gave basic care, took vital signs, and assisted the nurses. When a critical care patient was admitted to the unit, he was assigned to work with the family. He provided counseling, acted as an information liaison between staff and family during non-visiting hours, and stayed with the family when they were told of the death.
    Following each death, he wrote a case history and maintained a check list of common grief reactions. He showed these reports to no one. After a period of three months, he wrote a paper reporting his findings. From this study, the staff developed a course to teach nurses how to deal with the critical care patient's family.
    The families Clark counseled were only told that he was a nursing assistant and counselor working with the hospital to give special attention to their needs. They responded very positively to the services that he provided. They were not told that a research project was being conducted or that a study would be written.

When you discuss this case consider, in particular, whether or not it matters morally that the identity of the families is / is not revealed?

Question 2

Suppose that an automobile manufacture uses a subliminal messages in its television commercials (flashed on the screen so quickly that viewers are not consciously aware of it) to persuade people to buy its cars. Suppose also that the subliminal technique works: the adds are very successful, car sales increase significantly. Finally, suppose that the cars turn out to be good ones.

Morally evaluate the act of running the ads from any two of the following points of view:

  • A) utilitarian perspective (including the discussion of alternatives, as well as long and short term utilities);
  • B) a Kantian perspective (include the discussion if two different interpretations of categorical imperative);
  • C) some other deontological perspective and/or Gert's perspective.

 

PROBLEM #2

In class we discussed several different matrixes representing utilities for several different beings. Recall, e.g., the matrix of utilities involving John, Jill, John's dog, and Jill's cat. Write an essay, approximately 3 typewritten pages, in which you address both of the following questions (roughly 1.5 page per question). Make an extra copy of your work and save it for you file.

Question 1
Imagine that you plan a weekend for your family and/or friends (approximately, for five people and/or animals). Design a matrix analogous to the table above that might help them to make an ethical decision about what they should do during the weekend. Explain this matrix (how did you come up with the realistic numbers?) Address the issue from the point of view of the participant with whom you identify most (e.g., from the point of view of the daughter or the son). Consider a few different options. Address the issue from the point of view of ethical egoism, utilitarianism, and ethical altruism.

Question 2
Address the same issue from the Kantian point of view (discuss at least two different interpretations of Kant including the concept of hypothetical rational consent), and from some other point of view proposed, e.g., a point of view proposed by Gert or Ross. You will have to make up enough details of this situation to justify your answer. Remember that deontologists are not consequentialists, so you will not be able to resolve the issue by simply looking at the matrix of utilities. Rather, you must explain what non-consequentialist considerations these deontological views might use

Good luck!

Professional Ethics