Case Study:
Ann is a seventy-seven-year-old grandmother. She has one daughter and three grandchildren. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with moderately advanced Alzheimer\’s disease, which causes her to have periods of confusion, frustration, anger, and obsessive thinking. When speaking, she is uncertain and her speech patterns are choppy. Before her mental deterioration, Ann was a woman of love, intelligence, and patience. Realizing they were getting older, she and her husband, Frank, discussed their wishes should anything happen to them. She told Frank that if there was no chance of survival, she would not want to be hooked to a breathing machine. They never got around to filling any papers.

Frank is a sweet and sensitive man. His wife\’s state frightens him. Ann\’s love for him has been the focus of his life for sixty years. His urgent desire for the best care for Ann shows his devotion and love. Their daughter, Sarah, is a businesswoman. She is a hard worker and a good mother. She is forty-five, successful, and intelligent. Although she loves her parents dearly, she lives ten hours away. She regrets not seeing much of them, especially recently. Frank feels his role is to take care of Ann. He has spent the past year with her, watching after her, cooking for her, cleaning the home, and witnessing her deterioration. Finally, Ann is unable to walk alone safely and he finds he must have her admitted to a long-term care facility. He calls Sarah to come and help with the arrangements. After having Ann admitted to a local nursing home, both Frank and Sarah remember the pleading look in Ann\’s eyes as they walk away.

After three weeks in the nursing home, Ann starts to cough and run a fever. She is seen by doctors and diagnosed as having pneumonia. She is transferred to a local hospital, where she is given intravenous antibiotics. Although the progress of her pneumonia is halted by the antibiotics, she stops talking and refuses to eat. The physician calls Frank to insert a feeding tube. Frank calls Sarah to ask what to do. They wonder, Is a feeding tube equivalent to a breathing machine? Would it be possible to allow Ann to lie there and die of starvation? Is that murder? What would she want? What is the right thing to do? (Burkhardt & Nathaniel, 2008).

Respond to the following:

Discuss the ethical decisions you would make.
Discuss the legal decisions you would make.
Explain, as a nurse, what advice would you give to Frank and Sarah.

1) Provide a comprehensive understanding on the principal symptoms of teleopathy and the function of conscience in an organization. Draw (from the text or articles on D2L) an example when organizational consciousness was needed to address a critical ethical issue related to the negative impact of teleopathic behavior. Explain

2) Present your understanding of key principles related to virtue ethics and the argument put forth by MacIntyre in the text. Do you agree or disagree with his fundamental claim regarding virtue ethics. Explain. Clarify how MacIntyre differs from Peter Drucker’s’ understanding of the ultimate end (telos) of a business. Be specific in your points of differentiation.

3) Create your working definition on the notion of the common good. What intrinsic and extrinsic value doe such an idea have as an ethical theory in modern society? Develop an argument about measles vaccination utilizing your understanding of the common good. Be specific in your claims.

4) Chapter 11 explored management practices and attitudes through the lens of Zen Buddhism. In the text the authors named four ways related to Zen practices for managers to act to benefit themselves, others, the company and the world. Identify those ways and provide your insights into the strengths and weakness of such an approach.

5) In Chapter 12 the notion of Confusion trustworthiness is developed. Provide a brief summary of this idea as presented in the text. Explain how the ethical virtue of trust, as understood in Western business practices, is similar or different than what Confucianism holds. Be specific in your explanation.

6) What evidence did we find in Chapter 14 “How Green is Judaism” that humanity holds a privileged place in the ecosphere? What are the implications for such a claim in regards to ways ones approach the environment? Overall do you feel religion supports a greater awareness and just treatment of the environment or has the teachings found in many religions contribute to environmental harm? Explain.

7) Summarize the key ethical issues addressed in RerumNovarum. Why was this document such an important statement that many claims still have relevance today? How did it impact the development of the U.S. Catholic bishop’s statement “Economic Justice for All”?

8) Write an ethical position statement on the call for a $15 minimum wage nationwide Write an ethical positon on such a claim either in favor or against. What ethical theories could support your argument? How does such a claim fit into what we have explored in class- be sure to relate your insights into those of Adam Smith, Milton Friedman, and Alasdair MacIntrye, U.S. Bishops “Economic Justice for All”

9) Can “sweatshops” ever be morally justified? If so, under what circumstances and what moral claims would allow for them? – If not what moral virtues do not allow for them to exist in a good society? How does the existence of sweatshops reflect on issues like the common good, justice and freedom?

10) Write and ethical justification for each of these three claims. Provide and examination of ethical theories discussed in class or in the text that would justify your claims

1. The economy exists for the person, not the person for the economy.
2. All economic life should be shaped by moral principles.
3. Economic choices and institutions must be judged by how they protect or undermine the life and dignity of the human person, support the family and serve the common good