Ethical and Moral Questions
October 29, 2007 2:20 PM Subscribe
Please help me answer these three moral and ethical questions.
Please answer all of these questions as honestly as possible:
Milbert, a 49 years old unmarried man, was shopping one day; however, while paying the cashier, he seemed to go crazy and killed the cashier -- a mother of two young children. Milbert was soon after arrested. Before trial, Milbert was given a brain scan and it was discovered that he had a tumour on his amygdala. One week later, Milbert was given brain surgery and the tumour was removed. After Milbert recovered from the surgery, he was put on trial. Several doctors testified that Milbert would be unlikely to lose control now that the tumour was removed; however, the judge still sentenced Milbert to a long jail term. Was the judge correct? Why or why not?
Dr. Froop is a 38 year old research scientist. He was working on a formula to cure cancer, and he was sure he found the answer. He only had to do a small amount of research; however, the company that was funding his project cut him off for a different project to create a new bubblegum cola. Dr. Froop was positive that with just a bit more research he could provide the world with the cure for cancer. Dr. Froop decided to forge some data and release the project to scientific journals in the hope that he would be able to gain new funding and then prove his theory correct. Unfortunately, his forged data was discovered, and he was fired from his job and arrested for fraud. Other scientists are still unsure if his theory is correct or not. Should Dr. Froop have forged the data? Why or why not?
Karl has decided that he wants to sacrifice himself to help the human race. He has heard that a few scientific studies are being held back due to the unethical nature of performing on human subjects. Karl seeks out and finds Dr. Eve Eel, a prestigious researcher, and requests that she conduct experiments on him that normally would not be conducted on others. At first, Dr. Eve Eel is hesitant and suspects that something may be psychologically wrong with Karl; however, after many psychological examinations it is determined that there is nothing abnormal with him. Karl gives his signed consent for the experiments after the doctor makes the study as transparent to as possible and provides him with all necessary information. If the experiments are conducted, Dr. Eve Eel may cause Karl to suffer through pain and perhaps even death while also risking her own imprisonment. Given that Karl consents, the experiments are conducted in an ethical manner, and that the studies may benefit the human race should Dr. Eve Eel proceed?
Please answer all of these questions as honestly as possible:
Milbert, a 49 years old unmarried man, was shopping one day; however, while paying the cashier, he seemed to go crazy and killed the cashier -- a mother of two young children. Milbert was soon after arrested. Before trial, Milbert was given a brain scan and it was discovered that he had a tumour on his amygdala. One week later, Milbert was given brain surgery and the tumour was removed. After Milbert recovered from the surgery, he was put on trial. Several doctors testified that Milbert would be unlikely to lose control now that the tumour was removed; however, the judge still sentenced Milbert to a long jail term. Was the judge correct? Why or why not?
Dr. Froop is a 38 year old research scientist. He was working on a formula to cure cancer, and he was sure he found the answer. He only had to do a small amount of research; however, the company that was funding his project cut him off for a different project to create a new bubblegum cola. Dr. Froop was positive that with just a bit more research he could provide the world with the cure for cancer. Dr. Froop decided to forge some data and release the project to scientific journals in the hope that he would be able to gain new funding and then prove his theory correct. Unfortunately, his forged data was discovered, and he was fired from his job and arrested for fraud. Other scientists are still unsure if his theory is correct or not. Should Dr. Froop have forged the data? Why or why not?
Karl has decided that he wants to sacrifice himself to help the human race. He has heard that a few scientific studies are being held back due to the unethical nature of performing on human subjects. Karl seeks out and finds Dr. Eve Eel, a prestigious researcher, and requests that she conduct experiments on him that normally would not be conducted on others. At first, Dr. Eve Eel is hesitant and suspects that something may be psychologically wrong with Karl; however, after many psychological examinations it is determined that there is nothing abnormal with him. Karl gives his signed consent for the experiments after the doctor makes the study as transparent to as possible and provides him with all necessary information. If the experiments are conducted, Dr. Eve Eel may cause Karl to suffer through pain and perhaps even death while also risking her own imprisonment. Given that Karl consents, the experiments are conducted in an ethical manner, and that the studies may benefit the human race should Dr. Eve Eel proceed?
This post was deleted for the following reason: AskMe is not a quiz. -- cortex
1. Milbert's body committed the crime. While it may be morally distasteful to have Milbert sitting in jail for a crime he didn't committ in spirit, the judges moral duty is to his fellow man. Even if Milbert truly would never kill again, a short sentence would set precedent for other wouldbe killers. The judge acted correctly. But on the same token, someone else could be said to act morally correctly if they were to spring Milbert from jail.
2. Assuming there was no other recourse to continue his research, Milbert was correct in forging the data.
3. Should Dr. Eve proceed? Practically? No. Sounds like a career mistake. Ethically? I have no problem with it. But, even if Eve is morally okay to proceed, Milbert's judge will still be morally okay to sentence her along with Milbert.
posted by ian1977 at 2:30 PM on October 29, 2007
2. Assuming there was no other recourse to continue his research, Milbert was correct in forging the data.
3. Should Dr. Eve proceed? Practically? No. Sounds like a career mistake. Ethically? I have no problem with it. But, even if Eve is morally okay to proceed, Milbert's judge will still be morally okay to sentence her along with Milbert.
posted by ian1977 at 2:30 PM on October 29, 2007
NaNoWriMo has forums available, does it not?
posted by thehmsbeagle at 2:30 PM on October 29, 2007
posted by thehmsbeagle at 2:30 PM on October 29, 2007
Also, for the record, 26 questions and 15 answers is lousy.
posted by Baby_Balrog at 2:30 PM on October 29, 2007
posted by Baby_Balrog at 2:30 PM on October 29, 2007
Oops. I didn't know I was encouraging naughty behaviour.
posted by ian1977 at 2:30 PM on October 29, 2007
posted by ian1977 at 2:30 PM on October 29, 2007
Yeah, seriously, is this a philosophy midterm or something?
posted by piratebowling at 2:32 PM on October 29, 2007
posted by piratebowling at 2:32 PM on October 29, 2007
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posted by box at 2:29 PM on October 29, 2007