How would we use utilitarianism to solve the given dilemma

Assignment Help Business Management

Reference no: EM131736759

Assignment

There are three basic propositions in standard Utilitarianism:

1. Actions are judged right and wrong solely on their consequences; that is, nothing else matters except the consequence, and right actions are simply those with the best consequences.

2. To assess consequences, the only thing that matters is the amount of happiness and unhappiness caused; that is, there is only one criterion and everything else is irrelevant.

3. In calculating happiness and unhappiness caused, nobody's happiness counts any more than anybody else's; that is, everybody's welfare is equally important and the majority rules.

In specific cases where justice and utility are in conflict, it may seem expedient to serve the greater happiness through quick action that overrules consideration for justice. There is a side to happiness that can call for rushed decisions and actions that put decision-makers under the pressure of expediency.

Here is a dilemma for our class:

You are the elected district attorney. You receive a phone call from a nursing home administrator who was a good friend of yours in college. She has a waiting list of 3,000 people who will die if they don't get into her nursing home facility within the next 3 weeks, and she currently has 400 patients who have asked (or their families have asked on their behalf) for the famous Dr. Jack Kevorkian's (fictitious) sister, Dr. Jill Kevorkian, for assistance in helping them die. The 3,000 people on the waiting list want to live. She (the nursing home administrator) wants to know if you would agree to "look the other way" if she let in Dr. Jill to assist in the suicide of the 400 patients who have requested it, thus allowing at least 400 of the 3,000 on the waiting list in.

1. How would we use Utilitarianism to "solve" this dilemma?

2. What ethics did your friend, the nursing home administrator, use in deciding to call you?

3. What ethics are you using if you just "look the other way" and let it happen?

Reference no: EM131736759

Questions Cloud

Identify current human capital management problems at agc : Describe why making a diagnosis is a critical part of a change management plan. Identify at least 3 current human capital management problems at AGC.

What is the central research question being addressed : Identify the research purpose of this study.What is the central research question being addressed?

Importance of employees and information technology : Discuss the importance of employees and information technology in the delivery of service quality. Use two examples of service firms to help support your

Profound knowledge and crosby absolutes : Compare Deming's Theory of Profound Knowledge and Crosby's Absolutes of Quality Management. Do these theories conflict or complement each other?

How would we use utilitarianism to solve the given dilemma : How would we use Utilitarianism to solve this dilemma? What ethics did your friend, the nursing home administrator, use in deciding to call you?

Explain the concept of zero defects : Explain the concept of zero defects. What was Crosby attempting to accomplish by the use of the zero defects approach?

Is this an effective tactic for spreading terror : In your opinion, do you think that terrorists are primarily motivated by religious beliefs or ideologies (political orientations)? Explain.

Which ones have not been successful : What types of sales promotions have been successful with you as a consumer. Which ones have not been successful?

Necessary for effective implementation of six sigma : Explain the key management and organizational principles that are necessary for effective implementation of Six Sigma.

User Account

All Pages