The Parable of the Sadhu

Case Analysis: The Parable of the Sadhu
Student’s Name
Institution
Course Number and Name
Instructor’s Name
Date
Case Analysis: The Parable of the Sadhu
Business organizations often encounter ethical dilemmas that require making difficult decisions. The case of the Parable of the Sadhu by McCoy (1983) presents a moral dilemma that leaves one wondering the extent to which a group is responsible for the ethical actions of its individuals. In this case, climbers in the Himalayas encountered an unconscious and almost naked Indian holy man, sadhu. Interestingly, each climber helped the sadhu with something, but none was willing to ensure his safety. Even Stephen, who remained with him, could not guarantee that the sadhu was completely safe before rejoining others on the climb. Did each have different responsibility levels towards the sadhu? Should they, as a group, have taken a common approach to ensure his safety? What about their once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of climbing the Himalayas? The case raises key ethical questions that are applicable in the corporate world.
Stephen is the only individual who goes the extra mile to ensure that the sadhu gets to the hut by asking for the horse from the Chinese as well as requesting the porters to carry him. However, without the group's support, he could only leave him conscious on the sun. This shows, therefore, that, to a great extent, the actions of other members limit the ethical behavior of an individual within a group. The other members, the author included, perceived their individual aspirations as more important than saving the sadhu. For them, getting to 18,000 feet was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that they could not risk losing that day to sa...