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Ethics
Ethics
1.What is the ethical dilemma?
Theethical dilemma, in this case, involves whether someone should riskhis or her life to rescue another person. The individuals involvedhave been able to rescue themselves from the tragedy. They are facedwith a dilemma of whether they should go back to the fire and rescueother victims crying for help.
2.What are your value and ethical position related to the case?
Myvalues that relate to this ethical dilemma are preserving life andminimizing suffering. My values are based on utilitarian ethics wherean action is considered to be ethical if it maximizes happiness andreduces suffering.
3.What are some other alternatives for resolving the problem?
Thereare several alternatives that can be used to resolve the problem. Thefirst alternative is to wait for the rescue team to arrive. Thesecond alternative is to request men to try and rescue those cryingfor help. The other option is individuals, both men, and women tovolunteer to rescue the trapped victims.
4.What are the possible consequences for those acceptablealternatives?
Allthe alternatives have possible positive and negative consequences. In the first alternative, the rescue team may arrive very late whenthe victims have perished, although there are likely to handle theissue more professionally to avoid additional casualties. Thepositive consequences of the first and second alternatives includethe possibility of rescuing the victims before the fire spreadsfurther. The negative consequences of the alternatives include thepossibility of more injuries and casualties.
5.How would you prioritize the acceptable alternatives?
Theprioritization of the acceptable alternatives will be determined bythe complexity of the case. It will determine the likelihood ofpositive or negative outcomes from the alternative selected.
6.What is your plan of action?
Myplan of action is to access the situation carefully and chose thebest alternative. The alternative should maximize happiness andminimize suffering. This would include assessing the risk involved inrescuing the individuals crying for help.
References
Lo,B. (2013). Resolvingethical dilemmas: a guide for clinicians.Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Tjeltveit,A. C. & Gottelieb, M. C. (2010). Avoiding the road to ethicaldisaster: Overcoming vulnerabilities and developing resilience.PsychotherapyTheory, Research, Practice, Training,47, 98-110.