...One of Ayn Rand's essay's is particular interesting. It's in the Virtue of Selfishness, and it's called the Ethics of Emergencies. The title describes how some people base their ethical principles on emergency situations. The classic example is the "lifeboat" scenario. There's a few variants, but essentially the story is that you're stuck on a lifeboat with some other people, and there's not enough water for everyone to survive the trip to shore. In order to live, you have to sacrifice someone else. The lesson of the scenario is that you have to choose between your life and the life of another person. There is a fundamental disharmony of interests, and it's kill or be killed. Which means in life, you're either a murderer, you are a victim, or you can sacrifice your life for other people. What happens next is that this scenario is taken to be some kind of proof of moral principles. You're expected to learn the lesson of the conflict, and decide on a method of conduct that conforms to it. Will you choose to be a murderer? Or will you voluntarily sacrifice yourself for the greater good? These are your options. The problem is that these ethics-derived-from-emergencies are anti-contextual. It's just not true that there is a disharmony of interests. We don't have to choose between killing and dying in day to day life. We don't have to choose between sacrificing ourselves to others or others to ourselves. So abstracting general principles from these situations is a really bad idea...
Words: 704 - Pages: 3
...MOD 3 Armand L. Mayville Jr. 1. Is Rand correct in saying that if you accept altruism, then you end up with a lack of self-esteem and a lack of respect for others? I would have to disagree with Rand’s saying “that if you accept altruism, then you end up with a lack of self-esteem and a lack of respect for others. The dictionary definitions for altruism is “the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others (opposed to egoism )” or “the philosophical doctrine that right action is that which produces the greatest benefit to others.” You would have to have self-esteem to think you were worthy to perform an act of selflessness. Say you came upon an accident on the highway. If you had low or no self-esteem, you would think that you would have no chance in being able to help that person. Most likely you would keep on driving. As for the lack of respect for others, that to me would be way off base. If you had no respect for others then you would never even consider helping out a stranger or anyone for that matter. Helping someone else would be below you and a waste of your time. Helping a stranger and looking for nothing in return is a prime example of respect for others. 2. Is Rand criticizing ideal or reciprocal altruism? Do you think that she would differentiate between the two? Would you? I would have to say that Rand is criticizing reciprocal altruism. Ideal altruism is an expression of concern for the welfare of others...
Words: 711 - Pages: 3
...Professional Ethical Standards Ronda White ADJ 235 University of Phoenix, Axia College January 24, 2011 Facilitator, George DeAngelis Professional Ethical Standards Introduction Each year more than 240 million callers attempt to receive emergency services (Dispatch Magazine On-Line, 2008). Who handles all of these phone calls? Communications centers that field 911 phone calls are staffed with trained 911 operators, also called communication officers in some areas. These men and women answer calls daily from victims of crime, individuals seeking emergency medical or fire services, concerned community members, and on rare occasions, the criminals themselves. Answering the calls and prioritizing them for law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians (EMT), and fire departments requires knowledge, patience, discretion, and ethics. The Job According to Eastside Regional Communications Center (2008), 911 dispatchers answer phones for both emergency and non-emergency calls for not only law enforcement but medical and fire services as well. These individuals work with computer-aided dispatching services as well as computerized phone and radio systems. Dispatch Magazine On-Line also states that these individuals must prioritize these calls when numerous phone calls come into the center at the same time. Dispatchers must complete clerical work, retrieve information from callers using various computer and phone systems, monitor radio...
Words: 1540 - Pages: 7
...Activity 3.4 - Essay on Rand's Ideas Using "The Ethics of Emergencies" by Ayn Rand (pp. 215-218), develop an essay between 2 to 3 pages discussing her ideas in today's moral environment. Provide one other reference in addition to our text. The Ethics of Emergencies describes how some people base their ethical principles on emergency situations. The classic example is the lifeboat scenario. The scenario is that what if you are stuck on a lifeboat with some other people, and there's not enough water for everyone to survive the trip to shore. In order to live, you have to sacrifice someone else. The lesson of the scenario is that you have to choose between your life and the life of another person. There is a fundamental disharmony of interests, and it is to kill or be killed. Which means in life, you are either a murderer, you are a victim, or you can sacrifice your life for other people. The problem is that these ethics-derived-from-emergencies are anti-contextual. It is not true that there is a disharmony of interests and we do not have to choose between killing and dying in day to day life. We do not have to choose between sacrificing ourselves to others or others to ourselves. So abstracting general principles from these situations is a really bad idea. By trying to use these situations as a representation of real life, it actually becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you accept that life is full of conflicts of interest, you will act accordingly and create conflicts where...
Words: 629 - Pages: 3
...ANALYZE ETHICAL AND LEGAL CONCEPTS VERNOICA HENRY MANAGING IN HEALTH &HUMAN SERVICE SUSAN VELLEK August 1, 2016 I chose Analyze Ethical and Legal concepts; because Healthcare has become one of the main issues United States is facing. Great powers of transformation exist on labor contained by the American health-care organization. The community discussion regarding health-care funding also admission to coverage analysis is increasing. Nevertheless lower the superficial, a discreet however eventually possibly additional important method of adjustment is ongoing: the change of health-care administration and distribution—certainly, well-being expert effort the situation—concluded the knowledge and transformation development of health-care excellence development. The management development in motherhood ladies concerning delivery duties increases moral quandaries connected to concern for females throughout delivery. Generous delivery is an authoritative, life-changing occasion that verdures an eternal impression on the motherhood lady. The labor involvement might be apparent certainly or damagingly or with moods of uncertainty. This expressive qualitative education requested which elements impact a lady's alteration in her specified delivery favorite since an unmediated labor to an analgesic labor. A nearness example of 33 prim parous and multiparous pregnancy females who had altered their detailed delivery favorite for discomfort controlling throughout birth partaken in conferences...
Words: 1152 - Pages: 5
...ad Administrative Ethics HCS/335 Health Care Ethics and Social Responsibility February 22, 2015 William Bross Administrative Ethics When it comes to administrative ethics in the health care field, this is where ethics issues are being dealt with on a constant basis. The hard part is of keeping the ethical line between what is right and legal is not an easy thing to figure out. In this article, it talks about patients' confidentiality, and in this article it is about critical care providers are often privy to confidential information in the course of the clinic. The dilemma can arise when confidential information is requested by family members or friends of the patient. The Critical care nurses must be aware of the regulations regarding confidentiality, as well as situations where the use and disclosure of protected health information are permitted. (Critical Care Nurse.2012;32[5]:61-65) This is where the critical care nurses must take the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA) laws on how important they are in the health care field, and to make sure that use the line between what is right with the confidentiality for their patients. When it comes to the health care field there are privacy and confidentiality that needs to be enforced to the areas where it comes patient privacy and confidentiality. However, in this paper the legal and ethical issues that arise from both sides, when each party is bound by separate laws, as well as what happens...
Words: 1332 - Pages: 6
...aspect ethical aspect that should be present in organizations. Exxon Valdez allowed happenings which were seen as common practice. In any other situation this would taboo and not ethical. There was conflict of interest in the safety of the crew and the environment as seen with the emergency training and planning and the captaining skills which resulted in a natural disaster which should have been prevented. An analysis of the traits of a profession evidently suggests management would arguably not be classified as a profession. Ultimately managers therefore do not adhere to the same level of ethical standards as professionals. For Exxon managers to be ethically responsible in their commercial roles they need to find ways of balancing the needs of the company and satisfying their own personal interests with that of the organisation. One way of achieving this is to strictly adhere to the organisations code of ethics, which sets out the best way to behave in certain situations. Table of Contents Oceana Pharmaceutical 1 Executive summary 2 Introduction 3 Body 5 Ethical issues faced by Management at Exxon and similar corporations 5 Relevant norms, ethical principles, codes of ethics, applicable to the management of Exxon Valdez 8 Is management a profession?...
Words: 3515 - Pages: 15
...A. Briefly assess the law from a deontological perspective (intentions, principles, non-consequential). To assess the law from deontological perspective, we would have to define first what deontological means: Deontological ethics or deontology (from Greek deon, "obligation, duty"; and -logia) is an approach to ethics that judges the morality of an action based on the action's adherence to a rule or rules. Deontologists look at rules and duties. In the wake of natural disaster, essentials -- such as food, ice generators, lanterns, lumber, etc. -- may be in short supply. By Florida law, charging exorbitant or excessive prices for these and other necessities following a disaster is not only unethical, it's illegal. Assessing the law from a deontological perspective we would have to say that the Florida law is trying to pursue “the moral thing to do” in this kind of situations where people are desperate to obtain these items that in a state of emergency become basic needs for survival. Stating the deontological ethics there would not be bad consequences from the act of prohibit price gouging in the market neither the consumers because we would be following the rules of helping one to each others. Morally people should not take advantage of difficult times to increase prices that would harm the consumer and his ability to obtain the products that would help him/her survive. B. Assume that you manage a retail business in a low to medium income area of Miami...
Words: 1005 - Pages: 5
...happiness. This philosophy is known as Objectivism, which is mainly based by objective absolute with the concept that reality exists as an objective reality, the reason to guiding man’s action and basic means of survival, self-interest where each man is an end to himself and not the means for others through sacrifices and lastly capitalism where men deal one another as traders who voluntary exchange for mutual benefits. Her philosophy also mentioned that morality is proved by means of logic and man needs a rational morality which is not based on faith, emotions and etc, but only on reason. Rand further explained that man has to hold on reason as his only guide to action and live by independent judgement of his own mind, Ethic of Emergencies Theory The Ethic of Emergency Theory is based on Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism. This theory challenges the understanding of altruism where it argued about the self-interest of a man who she believes that the highest moral purpose is to pursue own happiness. She mentioned that altruistic persons suffer from lack self-esteem, failing to respect others, have sceptical morality and pessimistic idea of existence. She also pointed out that this people are those who did not value their own existence as they sacrifice themselves for others sake. Rand also pointed out her extreme opinion that altruistic person who rendered assistance to others are actually failing to respect them as she regarded those that they are helping are like “beggars crying for...
Words: 513 - Pages: 3
...RUP 1 Project Kelly Deakle Western Governors University Missions and Visions of Nursing I have a mission and vision that I strive for in my nursing profession that I strive to maintain on a daily basis. This mission and vision includes compassion, teamwork, continuing education on every level, and communication. I strive to follow the Code of Ethics from fellow nursing leaders and be true to the oath of my profession. On a daily basis I strive to maintain a relationship-based nursing practice. A. Functional Differences A regulatory agency and a professional organization play a role in my nursing profession. I belong to the Mississippi Board of Nursing which is a regulatory agency that requires rules and regulations to be followed in the state and national level. In order to safeguard life and health, any person practicing or offering to practice as a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse in Mississippi for compensation shall hereafter be required to submit evidence of qualifications to practice and shall be licensed or hold the privilege to practice as hereinafter provided. It shall be unlawful for any person not licensed or holding the privilege to practice under the provisions of this chapter: (a) To practice or offer to practice as a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse; (b) To use a sign, card or device to indicate that such person is a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse. Any person offering to practice nursing in Mississippi...
Words: 1523 - Pages: 7
...American College of Emergency Physicians. (2014). The Ethics of Health Care Reform: Issues in Emergency-Medicine- An Information Paper. Retrieved January 09, 2015, from http://www.acep.org/Physician-Resources/Practice- Resources/Professionalism/Ethics/The-Ethics-of-Health-Care-Reform--Issues-in- Emergency---Medicine---An-Information-Paper/ This article discusses the most important ethical issues under the Affordable Care Act. These ethics are outline through the basic provisions and moral foundations of this Act. The author list the four goals of the Affordable Care Act and believe that they are attractive enough to be endorsed by the United States. This is a helpful source for getting an insight on why the reform is needed and the role it will play in the lives of the citizens in the United States. Kocher, R., Emanuel, E.J., & DeParle, N. M. (2010). The Affordable Care Act and the Future of Clinical Medicine: The opportunities and challenges. Annals of Internal Medicine, 153(8), 536-539. Retrieved on January 09, 2015 from: http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=746295&resultClick=3 This journal article explains the purpose of the Affordable Care Act and the ways it removes barriers preventing consumers from getting health care. This article focuses on the goals of the Affordable Care Act and the impact it will have on the quality of care though Patient Centered efforts and it also helps in the effort to reduce readmissions. This Journal...
Words: 260 - Pages: 2
...for the 15-bed Emergency Room (ER) and its performance. There have been many complaints within the last year regarding inadequate patient care, poor ER management, long wait times, and patients being sent away because of lack of space, staff, or physicians to provide appropriate care. I have come up with a strategic plan that would allow the ER to overcome the shortcoming and to increase performance. 1. Diagnose the root causes of the complaints about the clinic As the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of New Guinea Medical Campus, there are many responsibilities that fall under the position that holds one of the highest executive positions of an organization. This position reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The COO’s responsibilities coincide with the needs of the CEO and the organization. Responsibilities and roles of the COO are many and include the daily operations of the facility, the development and design of the operations and to implement efficient and effective management that aligns with the goals of the organization. As a healthcare professional this operating officer must set ethical standards and guidelines which they themselves abide by and also integrate it into the organizational culture and the employees’ expectations. “Ethics complement and balance legal guidelines. Ethics are a set of moral principles that serve as a guiding philosophy for behavior. Most professional practice acts adopt the related profession’s Code of Ethics within their legal...
Words: 1287 - Pages: 6
...paraprofessionals, patients, and insurance companies. This multifaceted symbiotic relationship has each involved party complementing and enhancing the other for reasons that often independent of each other. Nurses often act as the intermediaries between doctors and the families of patients, while also servicing patients to insure a return to health along with being held accountable to the facilities who employ them. Nursing, meets the generally accepted definition of a profession based on the above listed standards: Although there is no overall consensus as to what constitutes the proper attributes of a profession, the following characteristics are commonly noted: a unique body of knowledge, altruistic service to society, a code of ethics, significant education and socialization, and autonomy in practice, i.e. reasonable independence in decision-making about practice and control of the work situation and conditions. While it could be argued that nursing meets many of these criteria, it is clear that it does not now and never did have autonomy, understood as the ability to control its own work – a major characteristic of a profession. (Liaschenko & Peter, 2004) Sweeping federal laws have recently been passed that offer universal health care of citizens of the United States on a scale that has never been attempted before. The bill expressly excludes coverage for individuals who are in the United States illegally. With this exclusion and the...
Words: 1338 - Pages: 6
...Ethics and Values Matter How does one know what is right or wrong? Ethics are an individual’s morals, while values are ideas that an individual believes to be important. John Darley and Bibb Latane are the authors of the essay “Why People Don’t Help in a Crisis” which sheds light on the bystander effect and proposes an action plan for bystanders. The essay makes people question their ethical stance on being a bystander and how much they value others. Another essay written by Bill McKibben called “A Modest Proposal to Destroy Western Civilization as We Know It: $100 Christmas” gives a different perspective from the average American Christmas. His perspective causes the reader to rethink how much they value presents on Christmas morning and...
Words: 332 - Pages: 2
...Stewardship of the Code of Medical Ethics Composed of seven practicing physicians, a resident and a medical student, the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs (CEJA) is the steward of the American Medical Association (AMA) Code of Medical Ethics. Each year, CEJA writes opinions on a wide variety of ethical and professional issues that members of the profession confront in their practice, research and teaching. These opinions, which are based on interpretations of the “Principles of Medical Ethics,” are developed through a deliberative process and become part of the Code upon adoption by the AMA House of Delegates. Through this continual refinement, the Code serves as a contemporary guide for physicians who strive to practice ethically. Q and A Is it appropriate to withhold medical information from a patient, especially in an emergency situation or when the patient is not medically sound? Response based on the Code of Medical Ethics: n Physicians should never withhold information from their patients. In emergency situations or when communication with the patient is not feasible, information can be delayed. However, it must be disclosed as soon as the patient is able to make an informed choice about whether he or she wants to receive this information. n Physicians should establish a preferred method of disclosure with their patients before information becomes available and follow the patient’s preference regarding what should be disclosed and to whom—the patient, a designated...
Words: 923 - Pages: 4
