[Model Answer QP2022 GS4 Ethics]”Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do and what is right to do” – Potter Stewart

The author of the quote was referring to the idea that while everyone has the right to do whatever they want with themselves, it isn’t always right to do so, especially when those actions could negatively impact others or society as a whole. Ethics involves knowing how far you can take your rights before they cross into what’s considered wrong.
According to this ethical dilemma, there is an identifiable discrepancy. What one has a right to do does not always equate with what would be considered moral or just.
This statement can apply in various situations such as health care where most laws governing the industry were passed before recent advances in medical technology had been invented. For example, doctors are bound by law to prioritize the welfare of their patient’s life over those who are already dead; even though they are technically allowed to use any resources available to save a patient’s life. The disparity arises when trying to answer whether a doctor should use an expensive resource for someone who will not survive the procedure rather than for another patient whose chances of survival are higher.
The decision that was made by lawmakers based on scarce resources at the time may not necessarily be moral now that medicine has advanced so much. Ethics is concerned with understanding the nuances in all aspects of decision-making.
Every day we are faced with countless opportunities to follow the path that seems easiest and best or to commit to what we believe is right. We should not be afraid of taking responsibility and standing up for what we believe in. Doing what is right may not be easy, but it is the correct moral decision. To do what is right requires a commitment to others and a willingness to sacrifice oneself for others. When we reflect on all of the possibilities, the right decision becomes clear.
In many cases, the outcome depends on the person and their ideals, but ethics still provides guidelines for differentiating between what is permissible to do from what should be done

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *