Law & Order Episode Corresponding Blog Post

Identify:

I chose to analyze the insurance company representative’s decision using IAJD. The prominent ethical issue was whether or not the representative should have notified Daniel of his communicable disease (syphilis). The other issue was whether or not the representative reported Daniel’s communicable disease to the health department. This is against the law. The stakeholders in this case are Daniel and his family, the insurance company, the health department, and those who may be directly, or indirectly, affected by the disease. The representative could notify Daniel of his communicable disease. He could notify Daniel and the health department of his disease. He could solely notify the health department of Daniel’s disease. The representative could notify no one of Daniel’s disease.

Analyze:

Using the consequentialist approach, the representative should notify both Daniel and the health department of his communicable disease. Under this course of action, both the health department and Daniel are informed of the disease. Therefore, Daniel will inevitably be informed of his disease. The consequences of not informing Daniel may include the spread of syphilis to others, and the deterioration of Daniel’s brain, which would have detrimental affects on Daniel’s life. The costs of informing Daniel and the health department of his disease my include loss of time (for filling out paperwork), and cost of possible postage to send Daniel a notification. The benefits may include the prevention of the spread of syphilis to others, the treatment of syphilis for Daniel, and a better informed health department which can include Daniel’s information in a number of statistics and studies. In this course of action, the benefits outweigh the costs, as well as, eliminate future consequences.

Using the deontological approach, the representative should notify both Daniel and the health department of his disease. Daniel has the right to know of his condition, and why he was turned down for health insurance. It is the respectful thing to do regarding Daniel’s situation. Using the virtue ethics tool, the representative would demonstrate the most admirable character by notifying both Daniel and the health department of his communicable disease. It is his responsibility to notify the health department and he would exhibit good character by notifying Daniel of his disease.

Justify/Decide:

I have reached notifying both the Daniel and the health department of his communicable disease as the best course of action to be taken in this situation. The cost outweigh the benefits, and prevent future consequences. The representative would be showing the greatest amount of respect, and the best character by informing Daniel of his disease. He is required by law to report the condition to the health department. This course of action prevents serious consequences, and can only benefit Daniel overall. Knowledge is power, and Daniel has the right to know of his life-threatening, communicable disease. This course of action met convergence with all three tools.