Berdera, Jhomel P.

18-05955

Comprehensive Exam in Ethics

A. Strengths and Weaknesses of the Filipino Character.
Topic: Filipinos and Nationalism During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, which at a confusing rate sparked a global
pandemic has infected the entire world. After the advent of the novel coronavirus and
this spread outside of China, our country is witnessing life-threatening and chilling
socio-economic impacts of the deadly virus. This COVID-19 pandemic is the defining
global health crisis of our time and the biggest challenge facing us since World War
Two.
As we enter the 3rd week of General Community Quarantine this pandemic
affected us in so many ways, this includes the impact on people’s lives. There are group
of people that has been showing their support for another extension of the lockdown.
But there are some that have begun to doubt the president’s promise to financial aid
and food packages. COVID-19 has continued to shackle and suppress all aspects of the
lives of the people, the fangs of hunger have made their clear presence particularly
among the poor, with this we are witnessing a divide between classes. While the spread
of the virus clearly represents a massive challenge for us the individuals are starting to
behave in very selfish ways. Through this pandemic we are all asked to embrace the
idea of social distancing while some of us this is fantastic and complete conceivable, for
many other this is utterly impossible that results to selfish behavior.
If there is anything we can learn from this match against COVID-19 it is not just a
battle for the government of the Philippines, but a fight for every Filipino. We are not
here to fight against each other but rather fight for each other. therefore, the
cooperation, determination and discipline of each Filipino in respecting and
implementing the required precautionary measures recommended by the government
are most important idea in the country’s fight against COVID-19 at the end of the day.
B. Scenarios in Ethics
1. A student finishes a Ph.D. working on a problem that has aspects that are directly
patentable and solve a major problem in the disk drive industry. His new job could
 be with Hitachi or Seagate, or some similar firm. He arrives at the new job and
discovers that the work done as a student, which is in the patent process, will solve
the problem at his new company. If he reveals what he knows to his new employer,
he will be an immediate hero but will compromise the patent process at his original
institution. This step could have important financial implications for the original
institution in the form of royalties.
What are the relevant ethical considerations in this dilemma?
He should not disclose his work because it could cause a patent process
problem and disclose his agreement with the institution. The birth of the idea
of intellectual property demanded some social conditions. It needed a
centralized political authority and a government that engaged in economic
affairs; trade and trade development; a market for literature, art, and
invention; and the growth of the concept of the person as creator, and
reverence for it. Those circumstances only arose in the late Middle Ages and
only then did the definition of intellectual property rights, as we know it today,
emerge. Intellectual Property is a legal term that refers to inventions of the
mind that grant exclusive rights to. Under intellectual property law, owners
are given certain exclusive rights to a range of intangible properties, including
musical, literary, and artistic works; discoveries and inventions; and names,
phrases, images, and designs. In common law legal systems, a contract is a
contract that has a lawful object freely entered into by two or more parties,
each of whom wishes to define one or more legal obligations between them.
The elements of a contract are "offer" and "acceptance" by "competent
individuals" who share "consideration" to establish "mutuality of obligation."
2. An elderly woman living alone in poor circumstances with few friends or relatives is
dying, and you, her friend, are at her bedside. She draws your attention to a small
case under her bed, which contains some momentous along with the money she
has managed to save over the years, despite her apparent poverty. She asks you
to take the case and to promise to deliver its contents, after she dies, to her nephew
living in another state. Moved by her plight and by your affection for her, you
promise to do as she requests. After a tearful goodbye, you take the case and
 leave. A few weeks later the old woman dies, and when you open the case, you
discover that it contains Php 500,000. No one else knows about the money, or the
promise you made. You learn that the nephew is a compulsive gambler and has a
drug addiction.

What would Kant say you should do?

A Kantian deontologist would act based on duty. It is the duty of the person
to deliver the money to the nephew because he agreed he would. Unlike
utilitarianism, deontology does not focus on the consequences of an action.
There is a belief that there is morality in the will itself. Thus, for these reasons
a deontologist would most likely to deliver the money to the nephew.

What would John Stuart Mill say you should do?

John Stuart Mill believed in the philosophy of utilitarianism. An act of

utilitarian would take into account all the pleasures and pain that would result
as a consequence of his actions and decide accordingly. A rule of utilitarian
would follow to what is morally right. Therefore, it is morally right to give the
money to the nephew.

What would you do? Why?

In that situation, I would give the money to the nephew. Though he is a

compulsive gambler and has a drug addiction it doesn’t matter anyway
because I don’t have any obligation to his nephew whether he use the money
for gambling. What matter the most is I fulfilled the deathbed promise.
Moreover, it was the old woman’s money to do with as she wished, to
bequeath to whomever she chose. And once the money had been
bequeathed, however informally, the nephew could be said to have a right to
it.
3. Answer the following ethical dilemmas in time of Covid-19
a. I’m 63 years old. My daughter, who is 34, has offered to pick up the
groceries. But he has asthma. I’m in a difficult situation as to who should
go? What should I do?
 You should ask for help from other people who has better situation. You may
have other relatives to help you. Since you are a senior citizen and not
allowed to go outside, someone will definitely understand your situation.
Though your daughter is 34 it is not morally right to let her go given that she
has asthma and may attack her anytime of the day.
b. I have a tenant/renter in my house who isn’t obeying social distancing
rules and goes out all the time. What should I do?
I would recommend you try opening a dialogue, have a conversation
about this and try to remain open. Try not to engage from a point of
defensiveness or blame. Tell her the consequences that may happen if
he/she continue to do such acts. You are a landlord who have the rights to
set rules especially when you notice something wrong that may lead to
harm for others.
c. I don’t have a car and I have flu-like symptoms. Should I take a cab or
grab to go to the hospital? Why?
You should take a cab to go to hospital. During this time, it is important to
secure our safety, it may be a flu like symptoms but we never now until you
see a doctor. Taking a cab is more efficient and safer for you and for people
who surrounds you.
d. For health care workers caring for sick coronavirus patients: How do we
allocate scarce resources?
Those health care workers can justifiably be prioritized when allocating some
resources because of their contribution to the health and well-being of the
community. Their health helps preserve the health of others.
e. For government leaders pushing for a vaccine: Who gets the first shot
when one becomes available? Elaborate your answer.
From an ethical point of view, whether you believe in outcome ethics
(utilitarianism) or want to save the greatest number of lives, you will focus on
patients with higher odds of success in therapy. In comparison, if you believe
in morality ethics (deontology), you should treat patients at risk, such as
elderly patients who are in serious condition.
f. For businesses who are facing falling revenues: Will shareholders
continue to be their No. 1 focus, post-COVID-19? Why?
Aiming to be their no. 1 will be difficult during the pandemic. It would be
ethical if they focus more on something possible. Enhancing processes,
reviewing and analyzing the company’s progress and proactively addressing
market rumors that question the company’s ability to survive the COVID-19
crisis.
g. Scientists around the world are working quickly to develop vaccines for
COVID-19. When they are successful, and a vaccine becomes available,
who should get the first shot? Support your answer.
Production of vaccines is important, but distribution of a vaccine is also a
significant ethical concern once vaccines are safe. Think of how the masks,
gloves and test kits are distributed these days. Simply, who pays the largest
sum decides the distribution. This means that the supply and demand curve
can't solve the issue of distribution. Unfortunately, if vaccines are distributed
in a similar manner, poorer countries would get the vaccines last.
h. After this pandemic, how will the roles of companies and government
change? Do you expect more corporate social responsibility?
There are some companies who recognizes the importance of treating
employers, customers, and society responsibly. However, we cannot
completely rely on a few good corporate citizens. Vaccine production by
pharmaceutical firms has declined significantly over the past few decades.
Pharmaceutical companies have slashed their spending in making new ones.
This is partially because research, production and testing are expensive and
involve a high risk of failure. The vaccine demand is therefore lower
compared to other medicines and after the pandemic is over there is no
business. Simply stated, it is not a profitable endeavor for pharmaceutical
firms and so they do not have any financial motivation to produce vaccines.
Since market cannot solve it, government needs to take over.
i. Will the pandemic make some businesses rethink the fundamental
aspect of corporation?
 The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will be lethal to some
companies while providing chances for others to grow. Some industries will
experience a massive decline in revenue and will be forced to shut down,
while others may have minimal effect. Changing the fundamental aspect of
corporation will immediately make changes and continue to evolve.
j. For businesses who are facing falling revenues: Will shareholders
continue to be their No. 1 focus, post-COVID-19?
Aiming to be their no. 1 will be difficult during the pandemic. It would be
ethical if they focus more on something possible. Enhancing processes,
reviewing and analyzing the company’s progress and proactively
addressing market rumors that question the company’s ability to survive the
COVID-19 crisis.