In relation to ISSUE 3: Impersonating a doctor Marks: 15Question 1 (8)In addition to the information in issue 3 in the case study, consider the following statements, then answer each of the three questions that follow: “According to Aristotle, morality starts with the self.” Required: Do you think that Aristotle will perceive Isabel Edwards as a ‘virtuous person’ given his view of the source of morality? Explain your answer. (3)1.2 “As humans with natural dispositions, we tend to make mistakes in one of two directions, being inclined to do too much of something, or too little. The mean corrects for this tendency.”Required: Would you think that Aristotle will say Isabel Edwards is ‘controlling her dispositions in a rational way’? Provide at least two examples of spheres of actions or feelings where Edwards are in an excessive or deficient state. (3) 1.3 “The virtuous person should be a guide for moral action”.Required: How, according to Aristotle, will Isabel Edwards be able to become a more ‘virtuous person’? (2)Question 2 (7)In addition to the information in issue 3 in the case study, consider the following statements, then answer each of the three questions that follow: According to John Stewart Mill, the ultimate goal of human beings is to pursue and find happiness. In fact, Mill is of the opinion that actions can be considered right to the extent that they ‘promote happiness’.Required: Discuss, in the context of The Greatest Happiness Principle, whether Isabel Edwards’ behaviour of impersonating a doctor can be considered the ‘right thing to do’ because it enhances her happiness as an individual. (3) According to the critics of utilitarian ethics, the theory is too time-consuming to apply in practice. All moral choices in terms of this theory have to become a complex calculation of how much pleasure it can generate, and how much pain it can lead to. Required: Comment, in terms of utilitarian ethics, whether Isabel Edwards should calculate the extent of the pleasure or pain that could result from her action as a ‘fake’ doctor, each time before she sees a ‘patient’, to allow her to determine whether her action is ethical or not. Explain your answer. (2)2.3 According to utilitarian ethics, when faced with moral choices, we should calculate what course of action would maximize the greatest happiness (and least pain) for the greatest number of people.”Required: Assume that Good Heart Hospital acts on the information that Neo submitted to Mrs Fourie and decides to report Isabel Edwards to the authorities to prevent her from faking it as a doctor in the future. Discuss how the hospital could have taken the decision to do so based on utilitarian ethics. (2) Questions 1 and 2 are based on the content of Chapter 6 of Business Ethics, Rossouw & van Vuuren, Oxford University Press South Africa, 2023.

Question

In relation to ISSUE 3: Impersonating a doctor Marks: 15Question 1 (8)In addition to the information in issue 3 in the case study, consider the following statements, then answer each of the three questions that follow: “According to Aristotle, morality starts with the self.” Required: Do you think that Aristotle will perceive Isabel Edwards as a ‘virtuous person’ given his view of the source of morality? Explain your answer. (3)1.2 “As humans with natural dispositions, we tend to make mistakes in one of two directions, being inclined to do too much of something, or too little. The mean corrects for this tendency.”Required: Would you think that Aristotle will say Isabel Edwards is ‘controlling her dispositions in a rational way’? Provide at least two examples of spheres of actions or feelings where Edwards are in an excessive or deficient state. (3) 1.3 “The virtuous person should be a guide for moral action”.Required: How, according to Aristotle, will Isabel Edwards be able to become a more ‘virtuous person’? (2)Question 2 (7)In addition to the information in issue 3 in the case study, consider the following statements, then answer each of the three questions that follow: According to John Stewart Mill, the ultimate goal of human beings is to pursue and find happiness. In fact, Mill is of the opinion that actions can be considered right to the extent that they ‘promote happiness’.Required: Discuss, in the context of The Greatest Happiness Principle, whether Isabel Edwards’ behaviour of impersonating a doctor can be considered the ‘right thing to do’ because it enhances her happiness as an individual. (3) According to the critics of utilitarian ethics, the theory is too time-consuming to apply in practice. All moral choices in terms of this theory have to become a complex calculation of how much pleasure it can generate, and how much pain it can lead to. Required: Comment, in terms of utilitarian ethics, whether Isabel Edwards should calculate the extent of the pleasure or pain that could result from her action as a ‘fake’ doctor, each time before she sees a ‘patient’, to allow her to determine whether her action is ethical or not. Explain your answer. (2)2.3 According to utilitarian ethics, when faced with moral choices, we should calculate what course of action would maximize the greatest happiness (and least pain) for the greatest number of people.”Required: Assume that Good Heart Hospital acts on the information that Neo submitted to Mrs Fourie and decides to report Isabel Edwards to the authorities to prevent her from faking it as a doctor in the future. Discuss how the hospital could have taken the decision to do so based on utilitarian ethics. (2) Questions 1 and 2 are based on the content of Chapter 6 of Business Ethics, Rossouw & van Vuuren, Oxford University Press South Africa, 2023.

Answer 1

Question 1:

1.1 Aristotle would likely not perceive Isabel Edwards as a 'virtuous person' given his view of the source of morality. Aristotle believed that morality starts with the self, and virtuous actions stem from cultivating good character traits or virtues. Impersonating a doctor is dishonest and goes against the virtues Aristotle deemed essential for moral behavior, such as honesty and integrity.

1.2 Isabel Edwards is not 'controlling her dispositions in a rational way' according to Aristotle's view. Two examples of spheres of actions where Edwards may be in an excessive or deficient state are:

- Excessive: Edwards may have an excessive desire for power and control, leading her to impersonate a doctor to gain authority and influence over others.
- Deficient: Edwards may lack compassion and empathy for patients, as impersonating a doctor could harm vulnerable individuals seeking medical care.

1.3 According to Aristotle, Isabel Edwards can become a more 'virtuous person' by practicing virtuous actions consistently. By cultivating virtues such as honesty, integrity, and compassion, Edwards can align her actions with moral excellence and become a guide for moral action for others.

Question 2:

2.1 In the context of The Greatest Happiness Principle, Isabel Edwards' behavior of impersonating a doctor cannot be considered the 'right thing to do' because it goes against the principle of promoting overall happiness. While Edwards may derive temporary personal satisfaction from her actions, the harm caused to patients and the lack of trust in the healthcare system would ultimately diminish overall happiness.

2.2 According to utilitarian ethics, Isabel Edwards should calculate the extent of pleasure or pain resulting from her actions before each 'patient' interaction. By considering the potential consequences of her deceit on the well-being of others, Edwards can make ethical decisions that maximize happiness and minimize harm for the greatest number of people.

2.3 Good Heart Hospital's decision to report Isabel Edwards to the authorities can be justified based on utilitarian ethics. By exposing Edwards' fraudulent behavior, the hospital aims to prevent harm to patients and uphold the trust and integrity of the healthcare system, ultimately promoting greater overall happiness for the community. This decision reflects the utilitarian principle of maximizing happiness and minimizing pain for the greatest number of people.