Question 1

Bernard Williams | Politics and Moral Character
Williams looks at the politician as professional and, specifically, at what it means for a politician to act in "morally disagreeable" ways. He focuses on morally dubious acts that are political, such as trying to stay in office, as opposed to those having to do with personal enrichment. The question of whether morally disagreeable acts can ever be considered politically justified is his central concern.
-The assumption is widespread in the United States, Williams states, that public scrutiny
A) encourages honest government.
B) leads to ruthless cliques.
C) controls the cynicism of politicians.
D) both a and c

Accepted Answer

The answer of Bernard Williams | Politics and Moral Character
Williams...

Question 2

Bernard Williams | Politics and Moral Character
Williams looks at the politician as professional and, specifically, at what it means for a politician to act in "morally disagreeable" ways. He focuses on morally dubious acts that are political, such as trying to stay in office, as opposed to those having to do with personal enrichment. The question of whether morally disagreeable acts can ever be considered politically justified is his central concern.
-Examining systems where succession is problematic or discontinuous has to do with the relation of
A) politicians to the public.
B) politicians to each other.
C) potential politicians to actual ones.
D) promotional patterns among politicians.

Accepted Answer

Williams is concerned with the relationship between potential politicians and actual ones, especially in systems where succession is problematic or discontinuous, as this affects the justification of morally disagreeable acts.

Question 3

Bernard Williams | Politics and Moral Character
Williams looks at the politician as professional and, specifically, at what it means for a politician to act in "morally disagreeable" ways. He focuses on morally dubious acts that are political, such as trying to stay in office, as opposed to those having to do with personal enrichment. The question of whether morally disagreeable acts can ever be considered politically justified is his central concern.
-___________ violence, according to Williams, refers to acts pursued in what is regarded as the national interest.
A) Structured
B) Unstructured
C) Executed
D) Unexecuted

Accepted Answer

The answer of Bernard Williams | Politics and Moral Character
Williams...

Question 4

Williams suggests that it may be desirable to allow "the kind of ambition and professionalism which does not always make for the best judgment, moral or practical" below the top jobs, because these politicians can then become honorable before the "final bottle-neck" of power. Do you agree that people who have "elbowed" their way up the hierarchy of power can become more honorable as they reach the top? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Williams suggests that it may be desirable...

Question 5

What does Williams mean by his final statement, "The consideration that [politicians] should not order something unless they were prepared to do it themselves should be counterweighted with the consideration that if they were prepared to do it themselves, they might be far too willing to order it"? Analyze the statement and argue for or against it.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does Williams mean by his final...

Question 6

Case 6.1: Charles F. Squire, "Is It Ethical to Criticize Other Dentists' Work?"
-If a patient can waive confidentiality outside of the examination room, what does this mean for the professional, who is obliged to abide by it?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Case 6.1: Charles F. Squire, "Is It...

Question 7

Case 6.1: Charles F. Squire, "Is It Ethical to Criticize Other Dentists' Work?"
-What priority would you give to a dentist finding inferior work done on a patient: reporting the work first to the state dental board or explaining to the patient that the work needs to be redone? Explain your choice.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Case 6.1: Charles F. Squire, "Is It...

Question 8

Case 6.2: Megan Rickel, "Blowing the Whistle in Iraq"
-As the one who blew the whistle on unethical behavior, it would seem that Darby should be praised and Sivits, who complied with the unethical behavior, should not. What is the difference between their actions? Do you think it's right that one be found innocent and the other guilty?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Case 6.2: Megan Rickel, "Blowing the Whistle...

Question 9

Case 6.2: Megan Rickel, "Blowing the Whistle in Iraq"
-"I was only following orders" is a phrase that brings chilling historical memories to mind, as in the Nazi guards at World War II concentration camps. At what point do you think one's moral compass ought to "kick in" to stop unethical behavior? Is there such a point?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Case 6.2: Megan Rickel, "Blowing the Whistle...

Question 10

Case 6.3: Myron Glazer, "Ten Whistleblowers and How They Fared"
-What does Glazer mean by "the erosion process" that many whistleblowers experience? Describe an example given in the text.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Case 6.3: Myron Glazer, "Ten Whistleblowers and...

Question 11

Case 6.3: Myron Glazer, "Ten Whistleblowers and How They Fared"
-Glazer distinguishes between unbending resisters, implicated protestors, and reluctant collaborators in describing the stories of various whistleblowers. Provide an example of each from the text and explain why they fit this designation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Case 6.3: Myron Glazer, "Ten Whistleblowers and...

Question 12

Case 6.4: Mimi Swants and Sherron Watkins, "Winners and Losers"
-The author of the letter twice mentions how the behavior of Enron will look to a layperson. What does this mean in terms of responsibility? Does this mean the "winners" were completely aware of their own unethical behavior, such that there would inevitably be "losers" as well?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Case 6.4: Mimi Swants and Sherron Watkins,...

Question 13

Case 6.4: Mimi Swants and Sherron Watkins, "Winners and Losers"
-Looking at the dates in this letter, was there a point when an ethically conscious professional could have blown the whistle, and could that have saved the loss of money for the investors?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Case 6.4: Mimi Swants and Sherron Watkins,...

Question 14

Case 6.5: Megan Rickel, "Chatty Doctors"
-Given what you know about the code of ethics between physicians and patients, including patient autonomy, confidentiality, beneficence, and the duty to do no harm, what and who violated any of these principles in this case study?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Case 6.5: Megan Rickel, "Chatty Doctors"
-Given what...

Question 15

Case 6.5: Megan Rickel, "Chatty Doctors"
-If you were to experience a medical office visit such as the one described in this case, what would you do? What are your rights as a patient, and what does that mean in terms of the professional service provided to you?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Case 6.5: Megan Rickel, "Chatty Doctors"
-If you...

Quiz 6: Integrity, Secrecy, and Trust

Case 6.1: Charles F. Squire, "Is It Ethical to Criticize Other Dentists' Work?" -If a patient can waive confidentiality outside of the examination room, what does this mean for the professional, who is obliged to abide by it?

Case 6.1: Charles F. Squire, "Is It Ethical to Criticize Other Dentists' Work?" -What priority would you give to a dentist finding inferior work done on a patient: reporting the work first to the state dental board or explaining to the patient that the work needs to be redone? Explain your choice.

Case 6.3: Myron Glazer, "Ten Whistleblowers and How They Fared" -What does Glazer mean by "the erosion process" that many whistleblowers experience? Describe an example given in the text.

Case 6.4: Mimi Swants and Sherron Watkins, "Winners and Losers" -Looking at the dates in this letter, was there a point when an ethically conscious professional could have blown the whistle, and could that have saved the loss of money for the investors?

Case 6.5: Megan Rickel, "Chatty Doctors" -Given what you know about the code of ethics between physicians and patients, including patient autonomy, confidentiality, beneficence, and the duty to do no harm, what and who violated any of these principles in this case study?

Case 6.5: Megan Rickel, "Chatty Doctors" -If you were to experience a medical office visit such as the one described in this case, what would you do? What are your rights as a patient, and what does that mean in terms of the professional service provided to you?