science ethics essays

science ethics essays The main character, Alfieri in the story of the Halfway house had the power of administration and thus was granted the great responsibility of playing God by judging which applicants gets their desire to go through the Fold, and which ones do not. Alfieri had to face some ethical dilemma while playing the role of God. He had no quota; if he cared to; he could send all his applicants through to their destination or turn them all away. But the one would be irresponsible, the other inhuman. The two sentences in this quote are the key to the ethical problem that Alfieri has to faced as a judge at the Fold, because as the judge, he has to decide which applicants gets to pass through the Fold by balancing the pros and cons of helping each applicant; and not just send all of the applicants through it, since the consequence of sending a wrong person through would be unbearable. For example, if Hitler was sent through the Fold to get help from aliens to destroy the world, the world would be destroyed. However, he could not just send everyone back, because that would be crude and inhumane, since there are people who really need help. He has to be careful in judging which applicant gets saved. In other words, the two sentences are the key to the ethical problem because they point out the essence of Alfieris problem, which was trying to be responsible so that there would be no horrible consequence resulting from his decisions and humane in his decision so that people that needs help can receive it. The quote from Halfway house not only applies to the story itself, but also real life problem. In facing the decision of providing insurance to the American public, President Clinton had to experience problems like Alfieri had. The problems that the president faces can be related to the quote mentioned above. As stated in the quote, ...he could send all his applicants through to their destination...but...would...