An Ethical Dilemma
Sunday morning, my husband and I began a discussion. Not unusual for us, we often find ourselves discussing various topics over coffee and the Sunday paper. What was unusual is we came upon a topic which he or I could not sway the other to their point of view.
Thus I decide to pose the question on my blog and see how others decide and why they made that choice:
The hypothetical scenario:
First let state in this situation money is NOT a factor. You can afford to resign without finacial impact
Second, time a leave of absence is NOT an option. This is black and white stay or leave.
Now the scenario: You are a key member of an organization whose decisions affect millions of people’s lives. You have an immense impact on the future of society at large.
Your spouse has been diagnosed with cancer and has anywhere from a year to two years to live.
Do you resign your position to spend the remaining time with your spouse/loved one?
Or
Do you continue in your current position?
And why?
Thus I decide to pose the question on my blog and see how others decide and why they made that choice:
The hypothetical scenario:
First let state in this situation money is NOT a factor. You can afford to resign without finacial impact
Second, time a leave of absence is NOT an option. This is black and white stay or leave.
Now the scenario: You are a key member of an organization whose decisions affect millions of people’s lives. You have an immense impact on the future of society at large.
Your spouse has been diagnosed with cancer and has anywhere from a year to two years to live.
Do you resign your position to spend the remaining time with your spouse/loved one?
Or
Do you continue in your current position?
And why?
posted by Kelly @ 1:48 PM
2 Comments:
At 6:06 PM,
sir77 said…
I second that motion, nesthead.
There is no doubt in my mind that my first priority would be to care for my loved one--my primary responsibility is to my family. As nesthead already stated, society "will still need saving" in the future. One person can't be everything to everyone.
Besides, simply stating in this hypothetical situation that one is a "key" member of an organization "whose decisions affect millions" is empty of meaning for me. It is important to know exactly HOW these decisions affect people. Furthermore, any decisions that have a negative impact on society at large can presumably be reversed. The death of a loved is not subject to reversal. The time missed can never be recaptured.
At 5:05 PM,
jen said…
I agree with all the above.
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