" Thus this principle is founded on an individual's ability to predict a given action's consequences. On predicting such consequences, an individual is supposed to choose the course of action which would in the end benefit the greatest number of people. In such a case, the choice selected would be considered ethically correct. For instance, if one innocent person has to be killed so as to save the entire human race, then it would be ethically right to kill such a person from a utilitarian point-of-view. An application of this principle in our scenario seems somewhat straightforward. To determine the right course of action in this case, the question to be asked is; of all the alternative courses of action at Dr. DoRight's disposal, which course of action would benefit the greatest number of people? In my opinion, seeking to ensure that the situation is brought under control no matter what it takes would benefit a significant majority of the parties in this scenario i.e. both current and existing patients as well as their families. However, some of his actions in this case could clearly fall outside his mandate. Further, aggressively pursuing the case could put Dr. DoRight on a collision course with those he had earlier talked to including the Executive Committee and the Regional Director. However, in accordance with utilitarianism principles, neither hospital regulations nor the constraints of his...
DoRight's way as he seeks to pursue that course of action which would benefit the greatest number of people who in this case happen to be the facility's patients (both current and future) as well as their families.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to note that ethical dilemmas are largely unavoidable in our everyday lives. This is more so the case in professional practice. To effectively address these ethical dilemmas, professionals should ideally have a well-founded knowledge of ethical principles and theories.
References
Bredeson, D. (2011). Applied Business Ethics: A Skills-Based Approach. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.
Ferrell, O.C., Fraedrich, J. & Ferrell, L. (2008). Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making and Cases (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
Freeman, R.E. (2010). Strategic Management: A Stakeholder Approach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Lozano, J.M. (2002). Ethics and Organizations: Understanding Business Ethics as a Learning Process. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Loewy, E.H. & Loewy, R.S. (2004). Textbook of Healthcare Ethics (2nd ed.). Dordrecht, Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Mizzoni, J. (2009). Ethics: The Basics. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons.
