- Introduction
The present case study analysis is about actions of Gordon Chase who is a health services administrator under Mayor John Lindsay on the basis of various schools of ethicality and morality. The actions of Gordon Chase have been analyzed on the basis of various ethical theories and a better strategy in the light of various ethical theories have been suggested.
- Gordon Chase overstep the limits of administrative discretion.
In my opinion, Gordon Chase overstepped the limits of administrative discretion. It was a wise decision as a public admninstrator to introduce reforms to curb heroin addiction and to increase the number of drug de-addiction programs in the region. However, as a responsible employee, he should have waited for the permission of the Mayor to start such reforms in the field. The work of health administrator is to ensure the health and welfare of the general public in his region, however the actions of the health administrators should be limited to the duties, rights and powers vested to the individuals by the authorities. Any action of an individual that is beyond one’s power, duty or scope, however correct it may be, cannot be justified.
- Ethical approaches Gordon Chase used to make his decision
The decision of Gordon Chase can be analyzed on the basis of various ethical theories:
According to teleological theories of ethics, the actions of individuals can be considered ethical if its consequences lead to increase in happiness for other people . In the light of the teleological theories of ethics, the action of Gordon Chase can be considered ethical as it brought happiness to many people that were initially addicted to the drug Heroin and could not get the necessary treatement due to higher costs or lack of information.
According to the utilitarian theories of ethics that are also teleological in nature, the actions of individuals can be considered ethical in nature on the basis of the consequences. If the consequnces are good, actions are ethical. If the consequences are bad for some people, actions may be unethical. The consequences of the actions of Gordon Chase were good as they brought relief to a large number of drug addicts in the region that were treated as a result of his programs.
According to virtue theory of ethics, the actions of individuals can be considered ethical in nature if they promote good character and relate to the inherent quality of every individual to act in the best possible manner and appear good in the eyes of others . The actions of Gordon Chase can be considered ethical according to the virtue theory of ethics as he wanted to work for the welfare of others and did not have any self-interests in the programs.
- Gordon Chase did not act ethically
According to the Kant theory of ethics, an action can be considered ethical if it is ethical in all the circumstances and can become a universal law. According to Kant, one must conform to his duty and not bother about the consequences of one’s actions . In the light of the Kant theory of ethics, the actions of health administrator Gordon Chase were unethical as he did not follow his duty and his actions cannot be considered ethical for all health administrators all over the world. All administraors are required to follow rules of law and duty that also governs the rest of the organization.
A high level of risk is involved in the administration of health programs without adequate permissions as the non-follow of rules and principles passes a wrong notion to the general public about the importance of laws, rules and regulations that have been implemented by the authorities. Many more people may take a hint from the actions of Gordon Chase and break laws and regulations.
- My decisions as Gordon Chase
If I was Gordon Chase, I would have certainly not taken such decisions. In my view, it is the duty of each and every individual to follow the rules and procedures that have been set by the authorities. As a health administrator, Gordon Chase was answerable to the Mayor John Lindsay for all his actions.
In accordance with the utilitarian theories of ethics, actions of individuals may be considered ethical in nature if their consequences are good for others and do not cause harm to others. In this case, the actions of Gordon Chase are unethical as they promote a feeling of disrespect among the people about the importance of laws, rules and regulations and legitimate use of power. His actions cannot be considered as a role model for other health administrators.
According to the Kant theory of ethics, the actions of individuals are not ethical or unethical on the basis of consequences but on the basis of their ability to become universal laws. The actions of Gordon Chase cannot become a role model or a universal law for other health administrators.
Gordon Chase should have waited for the permission of the Mayor John Lindsay for the approval of his actions and then executed the health reforms.
- Conclusion
As a health administrator under the Mayor John Lindsay, Gordon Chase should have taken the permission from the Mayor for the actions he had planned and then executed the actions.
References
Geuras, D., & Garofalo, C. (2011). Practical Ethics in Public Administration. Virginia: Management Concepts, Incorporated.
Morrison, E. E. (2009). Health Care Ethics: Critical Issues for the 21st Century. London: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
