ETHICS
CASE STUDY
You
are working as an employee in a private company. One afternoon in the office
you get a frantic call from your wife that your two year old daughter is very
ill and her condition is critical. Unfortunately nobody is there around to help
your wife in any way. Your car is the only option to take your daughter to the
hospital, you have to rush to help your daughter as soon as possible.
You
soon leave the office. On your way back home you hit an old woman and she is
critically injured and before you notice she dies. Nobody has noticed the
accident as it has taken place on a stretch of road that’s always free of
traffic and people. Your wife is calling you frantically for help. Any delay
would cost your daughter’s life.
a. In this scenario what will you do? And why?
(150 Words)
b.
Examine the ethical dilemma and values which come into the picture in the above
scenario.
Course
of action:
●
Driving in an emotionally charged state
has caused the death of an ailing old lady.
●
Since the lady is already dead and my
daughter is struggling for life my immediate step would be to ensure that my
daughter's life is not lost because of my emotionally charged reaction towards
the dead lady. According to consequentialism,
this decision would minimize the harmfulness. Saving the life even I’m feeling
guilty of causing the innocent to die.
●
I will call the police and tell them about
the accident and give them my personal details which ensures I abide by the rule of law.
●
Law demands that the dead body should not
be displaced to determine the exact cause of death.
●
So without disturbing the dead body I will
drive to my home and take my daughter to the nearest hospital. Compliant to the duty of the father.
●
My next step after ensuring her treatment
would be to submit myself to the nearest police station.
●
This is a case of culpable homicide not
amounting to murder for which bail is an available remedy if the culprit
submits to law.
●
My submission and cooperation with the
police will earn me a bail immediately. So I can take care of my daughter.
●
I will also inquire about the family of
the dead lady to explain to them the cause of the accident and seek pardon for
my own self satisfaction. As a compassionate
man, I will also offer them some monetary help if they are poor.
●
Rest I will leave to the court to decide.
I would obey the verdict of the court.
Ethical
dilemma involved:
Values
involved: [explain with the above situation]
●
Compassion
●
Rule of law
●
Integrity
●
Conscience keeping