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Ethical Dilemmas Law Essay Research Coursework Paper

Essay Instructions:

Your response should be at least four (4) double-spaced pages; refer to the "Assignment Format" page located on the Course Home page for specific format requirements.
Suppose that you are employed by the Alabama Department of Corrections as a psychologist. You are a dedicated employee who advocates for the rights of the disabled inmates. You work overtime, sometimes without pay. But your existing caseload is unmanageable and yet every day you are assigned new cases. One of your patients attempted to commit suicide. You have complained to your supervisor to no avail.
An investigation by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP) found that many inmates in Alabama’s state prisons, including those with disabilities and serious physical and mental illnesses, face systemic indifference, discrimination, and dangerous life-threatening conditions. Inspections of Alabama prisons, interviews with prisoners, and a review of medical records, depositions, media accounts, policies, contracts, and reports of the ADOC, reveal that Alabama’s prisons violate the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution (“cruel and unusual punishment”) and federal law intended to protect people with disabilities.
You know that the allegations set forth in the complaint are factually correct. But you need your job. You have a wife, two children, and a mortgage. You spoke truthfully when you were interviewed by the ADAP. You confirmed that inmates are being denied adequate medical care.
In 2011, in Brown v. Plata, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that depriving prisoners of adequate medical care “is incompatible with the concept of human dignity and has no place in civilized society.” Deliberate indifference to these medical needs constitutes “unnecessary and wanton infliction of pain” barred by the Eighth Amendment (https://www(dot)splcenter(dot)org/sites/default/files/documents/the_opinion.pdf).
You know that the ADOC is understaffed and that allegations contained in the complaint are true, but you find yourself in a difficult position given that your livelihood depends on employment with the prison. One by one, apply Rushworth Kidder’s four typologies (i.e., “justice versus mercy,” “truth versus loyalty,” “individual versus community,” and “short term versus long term”) ethical dilemmas, found on page 134 of your textbook, to assess the moral permissibility of the conduct alleged in the complaint. Work through each typology, gathering whatever information is relevant for both sides of the argument. Apply Kidder’s checkpoints as outlined in the following presentation: http://www(dot)agsm(dot)edu(dot)au/bobm/teaching/BE/lect03-3.pdf. (Disregard slide 11).
Support your writing assignment with two (2) outside scholarly articles. Reference the complaint filed by the SPLC and other articles from their website when relevant.

Essay Sample Content Preview:

Ethical Dilemmas
Name
Institution
In pursuing a particular course of action in our workplaces, we are usually faced with different challenges. When specific actions go against our moral values and personal ethics, we are faced with ethical dilemmas. According to Rushworth Kidder, most ethical dilemmas usually fall in the following four categories short term versus long-term, “justice versus mercy,” individual versus community, and truth versus loyalty. In his argument, Kidder tries to explain our conflicting values rather than good moral value versus a lack of weight. Several times in our workplaces, we face situations where our values are torn. The everyday challenges of trying to make decisions between two rights are usually faced with the challenge of an ethical dilemma. At times, we decide to avoid solving dilemmas due to the fear of making the wrong choices. Kidder’s principals guide us in making the right decision when faced with harsh ultimatums. His guidelines entail the process of energetic self-reflection, deep-set core values, and a sense of vision (Kidder, 1995). When followed, this process helps us gather the courage to face difficult situations or make difficult choices when our moral values are tested. There are various ways in which Kidder’s principle can be applied to the Alabama Department of Corrections. Before making any moral decision, there are different guidelines to follow, according to Kidder. First, we should recognize the ethical dilemma, who it belongs to, the relevant facts associated with the dilemma, test for right versus right solution, and apply the resolution principles.
In truth versus loyalty, it involves being honest and telling the truth versus pledging allegiance to a friend or a particular company. As an employee at the Alabama Department of Corrections as a psychologist, there is an obligation to tell the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP) and have a loyalty obligation towards the Alabama Department of Corrections to keep their information confidential. In this situation, the decision made was based on the utilitarianism end-based principle, which argues on the consequences of making any decision (Kidder, 1995). Therefore, it is essential to make decisions that have the most favorable outcomes for the majority. Moreover, considering the most favorable outcome in such situations telling the truth could be more advantageous than loyalty. In describing the truth about the inadequate facilities offered at the Alabama department of corrections could improve the services provided to the inmates, such as the employment of more staff members and the improvement of healthcare facilities. Furthermore, telling the truth will establish a pattern followed by others in trying to fight for justice for the inmates.
In individual versus community, this involves an individual’s interest compared to those of a particular larger group. At times the specific individual could also be involved in the larger group. In individual versus community, it is right as an employee to try and keep our job by not tarnishing the image of the particular company in which we are employed. It is also justifiable to fight for change that cou...
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