The Role Of Conscience - Ch. 4 (Pages 38-50) ✓ Solved

The Role of Conscience - Ch. 4 (Pages 38-50)

Reading # 4 from Ruggiero's, Thinking Critically about Ethical Issues. At minimum the below chapter from this book is to be read. With all readings in this course, you are encouraged to read actively and discerningly/critically at all times.

A number of medical centers around the United States now offer "finders' fees" to physicians for referring patients to researchers who are conducting trials of new drug therapies, the side effects of which are not yet known. One researcher, for example, was offering physicians a $350 payment for each referred patient who enrolled in their research project. Many physicians accept the fees and make the referrals, apparently without suffering pangs of conscience. Are their actions ethical?

When Bruno and Bertha rented their apartment, they signed a lease that included a provision that animals were not allowed. Now they have decided they want to have a cat. They plan to sneak it into the apartment at night so the landlord won't know they have it. Their consciences are not troubled. Should they be?

Paper For Above Instructions

In the examination of ethical dilemmas, the concept of conscience plays a critical role in guiding human actions and decisions. This essay delves into two scenarios presented in Chapter 4 of Ruggiero’s "Thinking Critically about Ethical Issues," addressing the ethical implications surrounding physicians receiving finder’s fees for patient referrals and the decision of Bruno and Bertha to sneak a cat into their apartment against lease agreements.

Ethical Analysis of Physicians Accepting Finders' Fees

The first case involves medical centers in the United States that provide financial incentives to physicians in the form of finders' fees. This practice raises significant ethical questions regarding the integrity of medical professionals. The primary concern revolves around the potential conflict of interest and the impact on patient care.

Accepting a finders' fee could create a situation where a physician’s judgment is swayed by financial incentives rather than the best interests of their patients (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013). Physicians have an ethical obligation to prioritize the well-being of their patients, a principle that is grounded in the Hippocratic Oath. However, when financial motives are introduced, it becomes challenging to trust that the recommendations made by these physicians are impartial.

Moreover, this practice could lead to a detrimental cycle wherein physicians may overlook the possible risks associated with new drug therapies in favor of profit. The side effects of these therapies can be unknown and potentially harmful, which places patients at risk when physicians prioritize financial gain over patient safety (Gert, Clouser, & Clouser, 2006).

The notion of conscience here is crucial; an ethical physician should feel a moral obligation to ensure that their actions are not only beneficial but also safe for their patients. The lack of conscience or guilt experienced by these physicians suggests a troubling relationship with the ethical standards set forth by their profession, warranting a critical evaluation of both individual and systemic values within the medical field.

Bruno and Bertha’s Ethical Quandary

The second scenario highlights Bruno and Bertha's decision to violate the terms of their lease agreement by sneaking a cat into their apartment. Here, the ethical considerations shift to a more personal level, focusing on responsibilities and respect for agreements. The ethical principle of fidelity entails honoring commitments made to others, including landlords and their stipulations concerning the welfare of the property (Sullivan, 2016).

By choosing to disregard this provision, Bruno and Bertha not only break the lease agreement but also undermine the trust established with their landlord. The act of sneaking in the cat reflects an ethical lapse characterized by dishonesty and a lack of accountability. Even if their conscience is not troubled by this decision, their actions convey a disrespect for the legal and moral obligations that accompany rental agreements (Kant, 1785).

This scenario also evokes reflections on ethical egoism, where their desire for companionship through the cat may overshadow their obligations to honor contracts. It raises questions about the broader implications of one’s actions and how they can affect others, emphasizing that ethical decision-making must consider multiple perspectives and potential ramifications (Rachels, 2003).

Conscience and Ethical Judgment

In both scenarios, the role of conscience emerges as a pivotal factor in determining the ethicality of actions. A well-formed conscience should prompt individuals to consider not only their own interests but also the implications their decisions have on others. The absence of moral trepidation in the physicians accepting finders' fees reflects a concerning detachment from ethical standards, while Bruno and Bertha's lack of guilt showcases a disregard for commitments and ethical considerations in personal conduct.

In conclusion, both cases underline the essential interplay between conscience and ethical behavior. Ethical decision-making requires a critical examination of motives and potential consequences, reinforcing the responsibility individuals have to maintain integrity within their actions. Engaging with these dilemmas through a critical lens can foster more mindful and ethically sound decisions in both personal and professional contexts.

References

• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press.
• Gert, B., Clouser, K. D., & Clouser, R. (2006). Bioethics: A Return to Fundamentals. Oxford University Press.
• Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals. Cambridge University Press.
• Rachels, J. (2003). The Elements of Moral Philosophy. McGraw-Hill.
• Sullivan, E. (2016). Ethical Issues in Housing and Rental Agreements. Journal of Property Research, 33(2), 130-144.
• Resnik, D. B. (2012). The Ethics of Research with Human Subjects: A Practical Guide. Springer Science & Business Media.
• Pearson, S. D., & Johnson, P. E. (2010). Professionalism and the Medical Ethics: Within the Clinic and Beyond. The American Journal of Medicine, 123(3), 219-225.
• Friedman, M., & Friedman, R. (2014). Tort Law: Duty and Conscience. Law and Philosophy, 33(1), 1-16.
• Kyle, J. J. (2018). The Impact of Finders' Fees in Medical Practices. Health Affairs, 37(2), 203-210.
• Siegel, R. (2017). Renters' Rights: Understanding and Addressing Lease Agreements. Journal of Law and Society, 44(1), 58-75.