Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal Chapter 14

Chapter 14 Meanwhile, back at the hotel room, Raziel has given up his hopes to be a professional wrestler and has resumed his ambition to be Spider-Man. He made the decision after I pointed out that in Genesis, Jacob wrestles an angel and wins. In short, a human defeated an angel. Raziel kept insisting that he didn't remember that happening and I was tempted to bring the Gideon Bible in out of the bathroom and show him the reference, but I've just started reading the Gospel of Mark and I'd lose the book if the angel found out about it. I thought Matthew was bad, skipping right from Joshua's birth to his baptism, but Mark doesn't even bother with the birth. It's as if Joshua springs forth full grown from the head of Zeus. (Okay, bad metaphor, but you know what I mean.) Mark begins with the baptism, at thirty! Where did these guys get these stories? â€Å"I once met a guy in a bar who knew a guy who's sister's best friend was at the baptism of Joshua bar Joseph of Nazareth, and here's the story as best as he could remember it.† Well, at least Mark mentions me, once. And then it's totally out of context, as if I was just sitting around doing nothing and Joshua happened by and asked me to tag along. And Mark tells of the demon named Legion. Yeah, I remember Legion. Compared to what Balthasar called up, Legion was a wuss. I asked Balthasar if he was smitten with me,† Joshua said over supper. â€Å"Oh no,† said Joy. We were eating in the girls' quarters. It smelled really good and the girls would rub our shoulders while we ate. Just what we needed after a tough day of studying. â€Å"You weren't supposed to let him know we were on to him. What did he say?† â€Å"He said that he'd just come off of a hard breakup and he wasn't ready for a relationship because he just needed to spend a little time getting to know himself, but that he'd love it if we could just be friends.† â€Å"He lies,† said Joy. â€Å"He hasn't had a breakup in a hundred years.† I said, â€Å"Josh, you are so gullible. Guys always lie about stuff like that. That's the problem with your not being allowed to know women, it means you don't understand the most fundamental nature of men.† â€Å"Which is?† â€Å"We're lying pigs. We'll say anything to get what we want.† â€Å"That's true,† said Joy. The other girls nodded in agreement. â€Å"But,† said Josh, â€Å"the superior man does not, even for the space of a single meal, act contrary to virtue, according to Confucius.† â€Å"Of course,† said I, â€Å"but the superior man can get laid without lying. I'm talking about the rest of us.† â€Å"So should I be worried about this trip he wants me to take with him?† Joy nodded gravely and the other girls nodded with her. â€Å"I don't see why,† I said. â€Å"What trip?† â€Å"He says we'll only be gone a couple of weeks. He wants to go to a temple at a city in the mountains. He believes that the temple was built by Solomon, it's called the Temple of the Seal.† â€Å"And why do you have to go along?† â€Å"He wants to show me something.† â€Å"Uh-oh,† I said. â€Å"Uh-oh,† echoed the girls, not unlike a Greek chorus, except of course they were speaking Chinese. In the week leading up to Joshua and Balthasar's departure, I managed to talk Pea Pods into taking on a huge risk during her shift in Balthasar's bed. I picked Pea Pods not because she was the most athletic and nimble of the girls, which she was; nor because she was the lightest of foot and most stealthy, which she was also; but because she was the one who had taught me to make bronze castings of the Chinese characters that were the mark of my name (my chop), and she could be trusted to get the most accurate impression of the key that Balthasar wore on the chain around his neck. (Oh yes, there was a key to the ironclad door. Joy had let it slip where Balthasar kept it, but I was sure that she was too loyal to him to steal it. Pea Pods, on the other hand, was more fickle in her loyalties, and lately I had been spending a lot of time with her on and off.) â€Å"By the time you return, I'll know what's going on here,† I whispered to Joshua as he climbed onto his camel. â€Å"Find out what you can from Balthasar.† â€Å"I will. But be careful. Don't do anything while I'm gone. I think this trip, whatever it is that we are going to see, has something to do with the house of doom.† â€Å"I'm just going to look around. You be careful.† The girls and I stood at the top of the plateau and waved until Joshua and the magus, leading the extra camel loaded with supplies, rode out of sight, then, one by one, we made our way down the rope ladder to the passageway in the cliff's face. The entrance to the passageway, and the tunnel for perhaps thirty cubits, were just wide enough for one man to pass through if he stooped, and I always managed to bruise an elbow or a shoulder along the way, which allowed me to show off my ability to curse in four languages. By the time I got to the chamber of the elements, where we practiced the art of the Nine Elixirs, Pea Pods had the small furnace stoked to a red heat and was adding ingots of brass to a small stone crucible. From the wax impression we had made a wax duplicate of the key, from that we'd made a plaster mold, which we'd fired to melt out the wax. Now we'd have one chance to cast the key, because once the metal cooled in the plaster mold, the only way to release it was to break off the plaster. When we broke off the mold Pea Pods held the end of what looked like a brass dragon on a stick. â€Å"That's some key,† I said. The only locks I'd ever seen were big bulky iron boys, nothing elegant enough for a key like this. â€Å"When are you going to use it?† asked Pea Pods. Her eyes went wide like those of an excited child. Times like that I almost fell in love with her, but fortunately I was always distracted by Joy's sophistication, Pillow's maternal fussing, Number Six's dexterity, or any one of the other charms that were heaped upon me daily. I understood completely Balthasar's strategy to keep from falling in love with any one of them. Joshua's situation, on the other hand, was harder to figure, because he enjoyed spending time with the girls, trading stories from the Torah for legends of the storm dragons and the monkey king. He said that there was an innate kindness born in women that he'd never seen in a man, and he liked being around them. His strength in resisting their physical charms astounded me perhaps even more than the other miraculous things I'd seen him do over the years. I couldn't relate to the act of raising someone from the dead, but turning down a beautiful woman, that to ok courage beyond my understanding. â€Å"I'll take it from here,† I said to Pea Pods. I didn't want her to be involved any further in case things didn't turn out well. â€Å"When?† asked Pea Pods, meaning when would I attempt to open the door. â€Å"Tonight, when you have all gone to live in the world of pleasant dreams.† I tweaked her nose affectionately and she giggled. It was the last time I ever saw her in one piece. At night the halls of the fortress were lit by the ambient light from the moon and the stars that filtered in from the windows. Everywhere we went we carried a clay oil lamp which made the serpentine curves of the passageways seem even more like the inside of a huge creature as they swallowed up the dim orange light. After several years with Balthasar, I could find my way through the main living quarters of the fortress without any light at all, so I carried an unlit lamp with me until I had passed the girls' quarters, stopping at the beaded doorway to listen for their gentle snores. Once I was well away from the girls' door, I lit my lamp using one of the fire sticks that I'd invented using some of the same chemicals we used to make the explosive black powder. The fire stick made a soft pop as I struck it on the stone wall and I could swear I heard it echo from the hall up ahead. As I made my way to the ironclad door I could smell burning brimstone and I thought it strange that the smell of the fire stick had stayed with me. Then I saw Joy standing by the door holding an oil lamp and the charred remains of the fire stick she'd used to light it. â€Å"Let me see the key,† she said. â€Å"What key?† â€Å"Don't be foolish. I saw what was left of the mold in the room of the elements.† I took the key from where I'd tucked it in my belt and handed it to Joy. She examined it by lamplight, turning it this way and that. â€Å"Pea Pods cast this,† she said matter-of-factly. â€Å"Did she take the impression as well?† I nodded. Joy didn't seem angry, and Pea Pods was the only one of the girls skilled enough in metallurgy to have done the casting, so why deny it? â€Å"Getting the impression must have been the hard part,† Joy said. â€Å"Balthasar is fierce about guarding this key. I'll have to ask her what she did to distract him. Could be a good thing to know, huh? For both of us.† She smiled seductively, then turned toward the door and pushed aside the brass plate that covered the keyhole. In that second I felt as if a frozen dagger had been dragged over my spine. â€Å"No!† I grabbed her hand. â€Å"Don't.† I was overcome with a feeling of revulsion that wrenched my insides. â€Å"We can't.† Joy smiled again and pushed my hand away. â€Å"I have seen many wondrous things since I came here, but there has never been anything that was harmful. You planned this, you must want to know what is in here as much as I do.† I wanted to stop her, I even tried to take the key away from her, but she grabbed my arm and pushed into a pressure point that made my whole left side go numb. She raised an eyebrow as if to ask, â€Å"Do you really want to try that, knowing what I can do to you?† And I stepped back. She put the dragon key into the lock and turned it three times. There was a clicking of machinery finer than anything I had ever heard, then she withdrew the key and shot the three heavy iron bolts. As she pulled the door open there was a rush of air, as if something had moved by us very quickly, and my lamp went out. Joshua told me what had happened later and I put the timing together myself. As Joy and I were opening the room they called the house of doom, Joshua and Balthasar were camped in the arid mountains of what is now Afghanistan. The night was crisp and the stars shone with a cold blue light like loneliness or infinity. They had eaten some bread and cheese, then settled in close to the fire to share the last of a flask of fortified wine, Balthasar's second that evening. â€Å"Have I told you of the prophecy that sent me in search of you when you were born, Joshua?† â€Å"You spoke of the star. My mother told me of the star.† â€Å"Yes, the three of us followed that star, and by chance we met up in the mountains east of Kabul and finished the journey together, but the star wasn't the reason we went, it was only our means of navigation. We made the journey because each of us was looking for something at the end.† â€Å"Me?† Joshua said. â€Å"Yes, but not just you, but what it is said was brought with you. In the temple where we travel now, there lies a set of clay tablets – very old – the priests say that they date back to the time of Solomon, and they foretell the coming of a child who will have power over evil and victory over death. They say he will carry the key to immortality.† â€Å"Me? Immortality? Nope.† â€Å"I think you do, you just don't know it yet.† â€Å"Nope, I'm sure,† said Joshua. â€Å"It's true that I have brought people back from the dead, but never for very long. I've gotten better at healing over the years, but my back-from-the-dead stuff still needs work. I need to learn more.† â€Å"Which is why I have taught you, and why I am taking you to the temple now, so you may read the tablets yourself, but you must have the power of immortality within you.† â€Å"No, really, I haven't a clue.† â€Å"I am two hundred and sixty years old, Joshua.† â€Å"I've heard that, but I still can't help you. You look good though, I mean for two hundred and sixty.† At this point Balthasar started to sound desperate. â€Å"Joshua, I know that you have power over evil. Biff has told me of you banishing demons in Antioch.† â€Å"Little ones,† Joshua said modestly. â€Å"You must have power over death as well or it does me no good.† â€Å"What I am able to do comes through my father, I didn't bargain for it.† â€Å"Joshua, I am preserved by a pact with a demon. If you do not have the powers foretold in the prophecy I will never be free, I will never have peace, I will never have love. Every minute of my life I must have my will focused on controlling the demon. Should my will fail, the destruction would be unlike anything the world has ever seen.† â€Å"I know how it is. I'm not allowed to know a woman,† Joshua said. â€Å"Although it was an angel that told me, not a demon. But still, you know, it's hard sometimes. I really like your concubines. The other night Pillows was giving me a back rub after a long day of studying, and I started getting this massive – â€Å" â€Å"By the Golden Tenderloin of the Calf!† Balthasar exclaimed, leaping to his feet, his eyes wide with terror. The old man began loading his camel, thrashing around in the darkness like a madman. Joshua was following him, trying to calm him down, fearing he might have a fit any second. â€Å"What? What?† â€Å"It is out!† the magus said. â€Å"Help me pack up. We must go back. The demon is out.† I stood cringing in the dark, waiting for disaster to fall, for mayhem to reign, for pain and pestilence and no good to manifest, then Joy struck a fire stick and lit our lamps. We were alone. The iron door hung open into a very small room, it too lined with iron. The entire room was just big enough to contain a small bed and a chair. Every span of the black iron walls was inlaid with golden symbols: pentagrams and hex symbols and a dozen others I had never seen before. Joy held her lamp close to the wall. â€Å"These are symbols of containment,† Joy said. â€Å"I used to hear voices coming from in here.† â€Å"There was nothing in here when I opened the door. I could see in the second before the lamp blew out.† â€Å"Then what blew it out?† â€Å"The wind?† â€Å"I don't think so. I felt something brush me as it passed.† Just then someone in the girls' quarters screamed, then a chorus of screams joined in, primal screams of absolute terror and pain. Instantly Joy's eyes filled with tears. â€Å"What have I done?† I took her sleeve and dragged her down the passage toward the girls' quarters, snatching up two heavy lances that were supporting a tapestry as we passed and handing one to her. As we rounded the curves I could see an orange light ahead and soon I could see that it was fire blazing on the stone walls from broken oil lamps. The screaming was reaching a higher pitch, but every few seconds a voice was removed from the chorus, until there was only one. As we approached the beaded doorway into the concubines' chamber the screaming stopped and a severed human head rolled in front of us. The creature stepped through the curtain, oblivious to the flames that licked the walls around it, its massive body filling the passageway, the reptilian skin on its shoulders and its tall pointed ears grating against the walls and ceiling. In its talonlike hand it held the bloody torso of one of the girls. â€Å"Hey, kid,† it said, its voice like a sword point dragged across stone, a yellow light coming from behind its dinner-plate-sized cat's eyes, â€Å"it took you long enough.† As they rode back to the fortress, Balthasar explained to Joshua about the demon: â€Å"His name is Catch, and he is a demon of the twenty-seventh order, a destroyer angel before the fall. As far as I could tell, he was first called up to assist Solomon in building the great temple, but something got out of hand and with the help of a djinn, Solomon was able to send the demon back to hell. I found the seal of Solomon and the incantation for raising the demon almost two hundred years ago in the Temple of the Seal.† â€Å"Oh,† Joshua said, â€Å"so that's why they call it that. I thought it had something to do with one of the barky sea animals.† â€Å"I had to become an acolyte and study with the priests there for years before I was allowed access to the seal, but what is a few years against immortality. I was given immortality, but only so long as the demon walks the earth. And as long as he is on earth he must be fed, Joshua. That's the curse that goes with being this destroyer's master. He must be fed.† â€Å"I don't understand, he feeds on your will?† â€Å"No, he feeds on human beings. It is only my will that keeps him in check, or it was until I was able to build the iron room and put golden symbols on the wall that would hold the demon. I've been able to keep him in the fortress I made him build for twenty years now, and it has been some respite. Until then he was with me every minute, everywhere I went.† â€Å"Didn't that attract enemies to you?† â€Å"No. Unless he is in his eating form, I am the only one who can see Catch. In his noneating form he's small, the size of a child, and he can do little harm (except for being incredibly irritating). When he feeds, however, he's fully ten cubits tall, and he can tear a man in half with the swipe of his claw. No, enemies are not a problem, Joshua. Why do you think there are no guards at the fortress? In those years before the girls came to live there, some bandits attacked. What happened to them is legend now in Kabul, and no one has tried since. The problem is that if my will were to fail, he would be set loose again on the world as he was in the time of Solomon. I don't know what could stop him.† â€Å"And you can't send him back to hell?† Joshua asked. â€Å"I can with the seal and the right incantation, which is why I was going to the Temple of the Seal. Which is why you are here. If you are the Messiah predicted in Isaiah, and on the clay tablets in the temple, then you are the direct descendant of David, and therefore Solomon. I believe that you can send the demon back and keep me from suffering the fate of his return.† â€Å"Why, what happens to you if he is sent back to hell?† â€Å"I will assume the aspect of my true age. Which I would guess, by this time, would be dust. But you have the gift of immortality. You can stop that from happening.† â€Å"So this demon from hell is loose, and we are returning to the fortress without the Seal of Solomon or this incantation to do exactly what?† â€Å"I hope to bring him back under control of my will. The room has always held him before. I didn't know, I truly didn't know†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Know what?† â€Å"That my will had been broken by my feelings for you.† â€Å"You love me?† â€Å"How was I to know?† The magus sighed. And Joshua laughed here, despite the dire circumstances. â€Å"Of course you do, but it is not me, it's what I represent. I am not sure yet what I am to do, but I know that I am here in the name of my father. You love life so much that you would brave hell to hold on to it, it's only natural that you would love the one who gave you that life.† â€Å"Then you can banish the demon and preserve my life?† â€Å"Of course not, I'm just saying that I understand how you feel.† I don't know where she found the strength, but the diminutive Joy came from behind me and hurled the heavy lance with as much power as any soldier. (I felt my own knees starting to buckle in the face of the demon.) The bronze tip of the lance seemed to find its way between two of the monster's armored chest scales and drove itself a span deep under the weight of the heavy shaft. The demon gasped, and roared, opening his massive maw to show rows of saw-edged teeth. He grabbed the shaft of the lance and attempted to pull it out, his huge biceps quivering with the strain. He looked sadly down at the spear, then at Joy, and said, â€Å"Oh, foul woe upon you, you have kilt me most dead,† then he fell back and the floor shook with the impact of his huge body. â€Å"What'd he say, what'd he say?† Joy asked, digging her nails into my shoulder. The demon had spoken in Hebrew. â€Å"He said that you killed him.† â€Å"Well, duh,† said the concubine. (Strangely enough, â€Å"duh† sounds exactly the same in all languages.) I had started to inch forward to see if anyone was still alive in the girls' quarters when the demon sat up. â€Å"Just kidding,† he said. â€Å"I'm not kilt.† And he plucked the spear from his chest with less effort than it might take to brush away a fly. I threw my own lance, but didn't wait to see where it hit. I grabbed Joy and ran. â€Å"Where?† she said. â€Å"Far,† I said. â€Å"No,† she said, grabbing my tunic and jerking me around a corner, causing me to nearly coldcock myself on the wall. â€Å"To the cliff passage.† We were in total darkness now, neither one of us having thought to grab a lamp, and I was trusting my life to Joy's memory of these stone halls. As we ran we could hear the demon's scales scraping the walls and the occasional curse in Hebrew as he found a low ceiling. Perhaps he could see in the dark somewhat, but not a lot better than we could. â€Å"Duck,† Joy said, pushing my head down as we entered the narrow passage that led to the cliff above. I crouched in this passage the way the monster had to crouch to move in the normal-sized halls and I suddenly realized the brilliance of Joy's choice in taking this route. We were just seeing the moonlight breaking in through the opening in the cliff's face when I heard the monster hit the bottleneck of the passage. â€Å"Fuck! Ouch! You weasels! I'm going to crunch your little heads between my teeth like candied dates.† â€Å"What'd he say?† asked Joy. â€Å"He says that you are a sweet of uncommon delicacy.† â€Å"He did not say that.† â€Å"Believe me, my translation is as close as you want to the truth.† I heard a horrible scraping noise from inside the passage as we climbed out on the ledge and up the rope ladder to the top of the plateau. Joy helped me up, then pulled the ladder up behind us. We ran to the stable where the camel saddles and other supplies were normally kept. There were only the three camels that Joshua and Balthasar had taken, and no horses, so I couldn't figure out why we were taking the time to stop until I saw Joy filling two water skins at the cistern behind the stable. â€Å"We'll never make it to Kabul without water,† Joy said. â€Å"And what happens when we make it to Kabul? Can anyone there help? What in the hell is that thing?† â€Å"If I knew, would I have opened that door?† She was remarkably calm for someone who had just lost her friends to a hideous beast. â€Å"I guess not. But I didn't see it come out of there. I felt something, but nothing that size.† â€Å"Act, Biff, don't think. Act.† She handed me a water skin and I held it in the cistern, trying to listen for the sound of the monster over the bubbles as it filled. All I could hear was the occasional bleating of the goats and the sound of my own pulse in my ears. Joy corked her water skin, then went about opening the pig and goat pens, shooing the animals out onto the plateau. â€Å"Let's go!† she shouted to me. She took off down the path toward the hidden road. I pulled the water skin from the cistern and followed as quickly as I could. There was enough moonlight to make traveling fairly easy, but since I hadn't even seen the road in daylight, I didn't want to try to negotiate its deadly cutbacks at night without a guide. We had almost made the first leg of the road when we heard a hideous wailing and something heavy landed in the dust in front of us. When I could get my breath again I stepped up to find the bloodied carcass of a goat. â€Å"There,† Joy said, pointing down the mountainside to something moving among the rocks. Then it looked up at us and there was no mistaking the glowing yellow eyes. â€Å"Back,† Joy said, pulling me back from the road. â€Å"Is that the only way down?† â€Å"That or diving off the edge. It's a fortress, remember – it's not supposed to be easy to get in and out of.† We made our way back to the rope ladder, tossed it over the side, and started down. As Joy made it to the ledge and ducked into the cave something heavy hit me on the right shoulder. My arm went numb with the impact and I let go of the ladder. Mercifully, my feet had tangled in the rungs as I fell, and I found myself hanging upside down looking into the cave entrance where Joy stood. I could hear the terrified goat that had hit me screaming as it fell into the abyss, then there was a distant thump and the screaming stopped. â€Å"Hey, kid, you're a Jew, aren't you?† said the monster from above. â€Å"None of your business,† I said. Joy grabbed the ladder and pulled me inside the cave, ladder and all, just as another goat came screaming past. I fell on my face in the dust and sputtered, trying to breathe and spit at the same time. â€Å"It's been a long time since I've eaten a Jew. A good Jew sticks to your ribs. That's the problem with Chinese, you eat six or seven of them and in a half hour you're hungry again. No offense, miss.† â€Å"What'd he say?† Joy asked. â€Å"He says he likes kosher food. Will that ladder hold him?† â€Å"I made it myself.† â€Å"Swell,† I said. We heard the ropes creak with the strain as the monster climbed onto the ladder.

Ethics

Ethics 101 1. 1 background and development of theoretical ethical approaches Deontological Theory The deontological theory state that the consequences or outcomes of actions are not important, what actually matter is that the actions are morally Justified. For example drunken driving is wrong, now if a person argues that he safely navigated his way back home and for that reason he/she should not be held accountable by law, they are wrong because their action was wrong in the first place and was breaking the basic principle for morally correct behaviour that a person should not drive while being drunk.The contribution of Immanuel Kant towards development of Deontological theory Immanuel Kant proposes that in taking a decision â€Å"Duty' carries the foremost importance. Kant is of the view that a person's actions will only be regarded as morally and ethically correct when they are taken keeping in mind the sense of duty and responsibility in mind. Teleological Ethical Theory The tele ological ethical theory put the primary focus on the â€Å"Consequences† i. e. â€Å"What are those actions that produce the best possible results†?Along with attaching importance to the consequences the teleological theory also suggests that the ecisions framework that is developed for achieving the desired consequences should also be managed with care. Consequentialist Theory According to the â€Å"Consequentiality Theory', the basis for determining how moral a person's actions are the consequences. The consequences of actions can be good or bad, and they can be damaging or favourable. The contribution of Jeremy Bentham towards development of a person's actions can be a classified as good or bad depending on what consequences the action has produced.According to Bentham's opinion the good things are classified as â€Å"pleasure† and the bad ones as pain†. (http://www. studymode. com/) 1. 2 Absolute ethics has only two sides: Something is good or bad, bl ack or white. Some examples in police ethics would be unethical behaviours such as bribery, extortion, excessive force, and perjury, which nearly everyone would agree are unacceptable behaviours by the police. Relative ethics is more complicated and can nave a multitude ot sides witn varying shades ot gray . What is considered ethical behaviour by one person may be deemed highly unethical by someone else.The Absolutist theory is the theory that certain things are right or wrong from an bjective point of view and cannot change according to culture. Certain actions are intrinsically right or wrong, which means they are right or wrong in themselves. This is also known as deontological. The relativist theory is the theory that there are no universally valid moral principles. All principles and values are relative toa particular culture or age. Ethical relativism means that there is no such thing as good â€Å"in itself†, but if and action seems good to you and bad to me, that is it, and there is no objective basis for us to discover the truth.This theory is also known as teleological. An example of an absolutist ethical system would be if a single mother with a very young child had no money and therefore no food to feed the child, and she stole some food from the shop and the mother was caught and had a trial, an absolutist would argue that its morally wrong to steal and should suffer the consequences of the crime. They don't take into account the situation the person might be in and use an absolute law. However, this is in contrast to the alternative ethical system, called â€Å"relativist†, because this system is really the complete opposite.Again I'll use the same example s I did for absolutist. If a relativist was looking at this they would take into consideration the situation the woman might be in and empathize with her and try to find an outcome that is the most fair. One reason to support the absolutist approach as the only defensible approac h is that it provides Justification for acting which means that morality seems to demand some sort of obligation. If there's a fixed moral code then there is no obligation to act in a way. Another strength is that it gives clear guidelines, which basically means the rules are fixed and clear to apply. () 1. 3 Ethics refers to a prescribed or accepted code of conduct. Ethical issues are a set of moral values that need to be addressed while carrying out business. Businesses operate in a society that is structured around moral values. Therefore, when conducting its operations, a business has certain responsibilities which are to provide the society with quality goods and services that will improve the people's living standards. In order to survive, a business needs to maintain its customers. Product packaging is one way of ensuring a business maintains its existing customers and also acquire ew customers.Some companies are known to allow underweight packaging of products which are then highly priced and this is a rude way of increasing profits. However this negative trend will affect the business in the long run as customers will eventually come to learn that they are being swindled. In an attempt to boost sales, some businessmen adapt promotional method mislead customers as the message conveyed may not give the exact details of the product. Businesses should desist from increasing prices without valid reasons. In doing so, they will be taking advantage of the customer and this is unethical.Businessmen should also desist from taking part in corrupt practices such as selling low standard goods while bribing government officials in order to continue operating. Entrepreneurs should consider the effects of their activities on the society they serve. In the long run, wrong dealings and corruption will tarnish the image of the business and have a negative effect on sales. Business people ought to comply with the law requirements and observe laid down principles of mora lity in their dealings. They should seriously consider expectations of the community they serve. (    Ethics Table of Contents Therapeutic Patient Relationships Overview Since the sass, ethics has been incorporated into virtually every aspect of the health care system. Because of such a small time window, the study of ethics in a medical perspective continues to change and improve for the benefit of the patient. Studies of doctor-patient relationships Indicate the need of greater ethical study and intervention.Studies show that although many physicians are aware that a romantic r sexual relationship Is unethical, as many as nine percent believe that the ethics depends on the situation (Reese, 2012). Often, an abuse in the doctor-patient relationship does not occur because of a lack in educational skills. Rather, abuse in the doctor/patient is attributed to flaws, or loopholes, in the rules of ethics and law (Subplots et al, 2010). Continued research of the most recent ethical framework can begin lowering any chance of unprofessional.In order to have a successful patient relationship, a phys ician must understand and respect the barriers in place. This session will take a look at ethics. Participants will assess their own ethical principles and apply the concepts they've learned to problems in ethical communication and/or conduct in the workplace. Behavioral Objectives Intended to inform the physician on the definition of ethics Clarify the nature of the ethical responsibilities held in common by current and prospective physicians. Identifies ethical considerations relevant to physicians Recognize different situations containing unethical conduct.Gain the knowledge on how to respond to in situations that require ethical decision-making. Apply the incept of good ethical behavior in their current practice. Outline of Training Session I. Introduction:What is ethics? Ethics refers to a framework of discipline from a branch of philosophy, in which ideas of right and wrong, virtue and vice, and good and evil, are all examined systematically (salvoes & Meyer, 1990). II. Compon ents of Ethics Participants will know basic history, definition, and examples of ethics. A.Ethical Framework – before we can manage ethical dilemmas in the health care setting, we must understand examples of ethical principle, as well as our own, to avoid any conflict of interest. . Self-Assessment Culture Values Beliefs Ideas 2. Continuous Regulation Self-control Trustworthiness Professionalism Education Intervention B. Understand the Significance of Ethics 1. Factors That Improve Ethical Conduct a. Public view c. School curriculum d. Government regulations 2. Factors That Require Ethical Behavior a. Provide company guideline for ethical behavior b.Teach the company's guidelines importance c. Describe punishments for unethical conduct C. Review Examples of Unethical/Ethical Conduct IV. Class Activity – Ethics Assessment V. Effectively practice effective ethical communication A. Understand the needs of the recipient D. Ensuring the message considers the common good E. Continue to interpret for conflicts of interest F. Consider the consequences of each message 1. Is this message mutually valuable? 2. Is this message violating confidentiality of another person? Is this message questionable to your professionalism? . VI. Class Discussion VII Summary of Training Session VIII Conclusion Literature Review: Where the Patient Relationship Ends Dry A, a 49 year-old gynecologist, was treating a 36 year-old female patient, Ms B, for chronic vaginal yeast infections. He described her as being seductive during the husband. Dry A found himself feeling very sympathetic towards her and began scheduling longer patient appointments so he could provide some therapy for her as well as assessing and treating the vaginal complaints for which she ostensibly saw him.He would hold her hand while she talked about her difficult situation at home. This decent down the ‘slippery slope' progressed into hugging, and then kissing at the end of the session. He recognized t hat he was feeling lonely and not having regular sexual relations with his wife. Dry A even noted that his wife was inorganic as though her condition was in some way an excuse to progress to a sexual relation with the patient) (Gabbed & Hobby, 2012). The first time that Dry A and Ms B had sexual relations was after hours in his office.This sexual encounter consisted of mutual oral sex. The meetings were set up during appointments in the office, usually at the end of the day. He finally ended these contacts when he felt the encounters were no longer gratifying to him. In addition, he was worried about being caught and that others would not understand his reasons for departing from the usual procedures (Gabbed & Hobby, 2012). Following the filing of a complaint by the patient, Dry A was sent for evaluation.When asked directly he thought he had harmed the patient, Dry A responded that he felt he had actually helped her by his sexual involvement with her (Gabbed & Hobby, 2012). Introduc tion This physician, Dry A, failed to recognize the unethical conduct he was committing in the obvious power differential with the patient, Ms B. Dry A failed to recognize that a patient is paying for his expertise for the treatment of a disease or ailment, and not a relationship of conscious feelings.If Dry A had greater understanding regarding the ethical principle of the doctor/patient relationship, Dry A may have been able to make a more rational decision so this situation never occurred; likewise, if Ms B had more understanding of the ethical principle prior to her first appointment, Ms B may have had the knowledge to evade Dry Ass advances. In summary, the doctor and the patient should be educated on ethical conduct before the doctor-patient relationship is formed to avoid situations, like the example.Studies show that although many physicians are aware that a romantic or sexual relationship is unethical, as many as nine percent believe that the ethics depends on he situation (Reese, 2012). The American Medical Association (AMA) states that prior doctor/patient relationships can influence the patient's treatment and that such a relationship is unethical if the doctor â€Å"uses or exploits trust, knowledge, emotions or influence derived from the previous professional relationship† (American Code of Medical Ethics, 2012).The Mama's use of â€Å"prior relationship† leaves wiggle room for the â€Å"it's complicated† answer, which over one third of the physicians had answered to the question, â€Å"Is it acceptable to become involved romantic or sexual relationship with a patient? In Medicare's 2012 ethics survey (Reese, 2012). Could it be that the and Ms B are aware of the rules but chose in proceeding to break the barriers of the doctor/patient relationship because â€Å"it's complicated? † The â€Å"it's complicated† answer may originate from feelings from the physician to do anything possible to treat the patient.One s tudy on therapists, explains that the therapists would get sexually involved relationships with suicidal borderline patients in order to save the patient from suicide (Gabbed & Hobby, 2012). This ration is flawed, however, because the physician, like Dry A, should have continued to worked to attain the nature of the intended relationship as clearly therapeutic with any potential unexpected circumstances, which is the idea behind the entire therapeutic process (Crower, Belly & Subplots, 2010).A professional needs to self-regulate their internal drives and thoughts in the absence of clear standards or unexpected circumstances, such as that of a suicidal patient whom is not responding to evidence- based treatment (Crower, Belly & Subplots, 2010). This is critical because usually a patient will give up his or her own autonomy to respect the decision of a paternalistic physician (Shari, Samara, Arachnids, 2013).Not to say this approach to a doctor/ patient is unethical, but it can leave room for unethical conduct if the physician cannot control his or her internal drives or thoughts. Patients, like Miss B, need doctors that are competent in all areas of their profession. The study of ethics in undergraduate courses and medical school curriculum is still improving; consequently, it should continuously be assessed in terms of content, educational methods, and change in behavior, and be revised accordingly (Shari, Samara, Arachnids, 2013).Within only the past 20 years or so, medical schools have gun incorporating ethics as its own respective subject (Houghton, Sparks & Chadwick, 2010). The introduction of ethics in to medical undergraduate curriculum has met resistance, however, because it is evolving constantly and some believe ethical topics are redundant or impossible to be taught (Houghton, Sparks & Chadwick, 2010).Once a few generations of physicians are educated, they can begin teaching newer generations from first hand experience to ensure they are fully compet ent, rather than trainers teaching the instructors (Shari, Samara, Arachnids, 2013). Ethics, according to James S. Recourse (2003), â€Å"refers to a field of inquiry, or discipline, in which matters of right and wrong, good and evil, virtue and vice, are systemically examined (p. 49).Professional ethics is described by Craven & Hiring (2009) as involving â€Å"principles and values universal application and standards of conduct to be upheld in all situations (p. 76). The traditional principles that provided the moral grounding for the protection on human subjects in the United States began forming in the sass (Faded, Sass, ethical concern has been to protect patients from injury, risk, abuse, and unjust orders of medical research (Faded, Sass, Goodman, Provosts, Tunis & Bà ©chamel, 2013).There has been an importance in our society of forming a Just health care system, which is guided by principles of healthcare ethics that include benefice, non- maleficent, respect for autonomy, and Justice (Craven & Hiring, 2008). Physicians, nurses, and other members of the health care team have been developing codes of ethics in order to sustain a Just health care system.Faded, Sass, Goodman, Provosts, Tunis & Bà ©chamel (2013) propose a framework that consists of seven ethical obligations, they include: ) to respect the rights and dignity of patients; 2) to respect the clinical Judgment of clinicians; 3) to provide optimal care to each patient; 4) to avoid imposing monomaniacal risks and burdens on patients; 5) to reduce health inequalities among populations; 6) to conduct responsible activities that foster learning from clinical care and clinical information; and 7) to contribute to the common purpose of improving and quality and value of clinical care and health systems (p. ). Most frameworks regarding medical ethics loosely follow these seven steps. Frameworks in ethics provide a systematic way to decide what's right from wrong in a rarity of assigned priorities th at are goal emphasized (Craven & Hiring, 2008). All members of the health care team have a framework, and they can find it resembles this model. Several issues of unethical conduct in the health care setting can arise if ethical principle is ignored.The following are a few debated matters of medical ethical principle that occurs in the health care setting: physician-assisted suicide (Glover, 2010), clinical trials (Barton & Ugly, 2009), bribes/gifts from patients (Sash & Fug- Barman, 2013), patient abuse, sexual comments/actions toward patient (Crower, Belly & Subplots, 2010), confidentiality (Craven & Hiring), and financial interests (Reed, Mueller, & Brenna, 2013). While some subjects such as euthanasia (physician- assisted suicide) may have different labels of good or bad from different people, other subjects such as sexual patient abuse is generally discovered by most of society.While ethical principle of that society on certain principles might change at the about the same rate medical technology changes, it is still important for any health care worker to keep these principles in mind. Since the implementation of medical ethics is relatively new, changes are rapidly occurring in medical education curriculum as well as the workforce. Evidence shows, the effects of the teaching of medical ethics causes greater ethical sensitivity in the clinical setting (Crower, Belly & Subplots, 2010). However, there are still many cases in which medical ethics education does not have an impact.As the progression of ethics continues in the health care setting, evaluation of medical ethics teaching is vital. Research by Shari, Samara, and Arachnids (2013) finds that matching education is successful, and not a waste of human or financial resources. The Institute of Medical Ethics recommends a pyramid of increasing levels of education, they include: knowledge, habituation, and action (Crower, Belly & Subplots, 2010). The idea is to have medical students think critically abou t historical precedents and future situations involving ethical dilemmas, then put into practice the best consideration.The most important thing teaching ethics gives to medical students is awareness (Crower, Belly & Subplots). With practicing physicians, it is important to continue education on professionalism because doing so shows its significance as a competency (Reed, Mueller, & Brenna, 2013). As introductory and continuing teaching methods are evaluated and improved, future medical students can become more ethically sensitive in their communication and actions. References AMA Code of Medical Ethics. Opinion 8. 14 sexual misconduct in the practice of medicine. Http://www. AMA-assn. Org/AMA/pub/physician-resources/medical-ethics/ code-medical-ethics/opinion. Page Accessed November 3, 2012. Shari, F. , Samara A. & Arachnids, A. (2013). Medical ethics course for undergraduate medical students: A needs assessment study. Journal Of Medical Ethics & History Of Medicine, 6(1) Barton, E. , & Ugly, S. 2009) Ethical or unethical persuasion? The rhetoric of offers to participate in clinical trials. Written Communication, 26(3), 295-310 Craven, R. F. & Hiring C. J. (2008). Fundamentals of nursing: Human health and function, 6th. Liposuction Williams & Wilkins Inc.Philadelphia, PA. 76-77. Crower, M. , Belly, S. , & Subplots F. (2010) Abuse of the doctor-patient relationship. London: Royal College of Psychiatrists. Faded, R. , Sass, N. , Goodman, S. , Provosts, P. , Tunis, S. , & Beach, T. (2013). An ethics framework for a learning health care system: A departure from traditional research ethics and clinical ethics. The Hastings Center Report, Spec Noses-ASS Gabbed, G. 0. , & Hobby, G. S. (2012). A psychoanalytic perspective on ethics, self- deception and the corrupt physician. British Journal Of Psychotherapy, 28(2), 235-248. Glover, P.C. (2010) Physician-assisted suicide is unethical. Greengages Press. Recourse, J. S. (2003). Communication ethics. Management Communic ation: A Case- Analysis Approach. 2nd. New Jersey: Pearson Education. Professionalism challenges and opportunities. Minnesota Medicine, 96(1 1), 44-47 Reese, S. (2012). When is it okay to date a patient? Netscape ethics report 2012. Netscape, http://www. Educate. Com/vertically/774295. Sash, S. & Fug-Barman, A (2013 Physicians under the influence: Social psychology and industry marketing strategies. Journal Of Law, Medicine & Ethics. 41 (3), 665-672.Attachment: Principles of Medical Ethics Revised and adopted by the AMA House of Delegates (June 17, 2001) l. A physician shall be dedicated to providing competent medical care, with compassion and respect for human dignity and rights. II. A physician shall uphold the standards of professionalism, be honest in all professional interactions, and strive to report physicians deficient in character or impotence, or engaging in fraud or deception, to appropriate entities. Ill. A physician shall respect the law and also recognize a responsibil ity to seek changes in those requirements, which are contrary to the best interests of the patient. ‘ IV.A physician shall respect the rights of patients, colleagues, and other health professionals, and shall safeguard within the constraints of the law. V. A physician shall continue to study, apply, and advance scientific knowledge; maintain a commitment to medical education; make relevant information available to tenets, colleagues, and the public; obtain consultation; and use the talents of other health professionals when indicated. VI. A physician shall, in the provision of appropriate patient care, except in emergencies, be free to choose whom to serve, with whom to associate, and the environment in which to provide medical care VI'.A physician shall recognize a responsibility to participate in activities contributing to the improvement of the community and the betterment of public health. As paramount. ‘X. A physician shall support access to medical care for all peo ple. Source: Code of Medical Ethics: In-Hand Activity: Ethics Self-Assessment The American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) made this survey so you can identify areas of ethical practice in which you are weak or strong. For each question, identify one of the five answers that is best suited to you.The ACHE does not believe in a numbered final score, because it is not a tool for evaluating ethical behavior of others. The number that corresponds with each response simply helps you uncover any areas of concern that may require the need for enhancement in some of your current ethical practice. Almost Never Occasionally Usually 4 5 Always Not Applicable 2 I. Leadership 3 I take courageous, consistent and appropriate management actions to overcome barriers to achieving my organization's mission. I place community/patient benefit over my personal gain.I strive to be a role model for ethical behavior. I work to ensure that decisions about access to care are based primarily on medical necessity, not only on the ability to pay. My statements and actions are consistent with professional ethical standards, including the ACHE Code of Ethics. Circumstances would allow me to confuse the issues I advocate ethical decision making by the board, management team and medical staff. I use an ethical approach to conflict resolution. I initiate and encourage discussion of the ethical aspects of management/financial issues.I initiate and promote discussion of controversial issues affecting community/patient health (e. G. , domestic and community violence and decisions near the end of life). I promptly and candidly explain to internal and external stakeholders negative economic trends and encourage appropriate action. I use my authority solely to fulfill my responsibilities and not for self-interest or to further the interests of family, friends or associates. When an ethical conflict confronts my organization r me, I am successful in finding an effective resolution process and ensure it is followed.I demonstrate respect for my colleagues, superiors and staff. I demonstrate my organization's vision, mission and value statements in my actions. I make timely decisions rather than delaying them to avoid difficult or politically risky choices. I seek the advice of the ethics committee when making ethically challenging decisions. My personal expense reports are accurate and are only billed to a single organization. I openly support establishing and monitoring internal mechanisms (e. G. , an ethics committee or program) to Ethics Ethics 101 1. 1 background and development of theoretical ethical approaches Deontological Theory The deontological theory state that the consequences or outcomes of actions are not important, what actually matter is that the actions are morally Justified. For example drunken driving is wrong, now if a person argues that he safely navigated his way back home and for that reason he/she should not be held accountable by law, they are wrong because their action was wrong in the first place and was breaking the basic principle for morally correct behaviour that a person should not drive while being drunk.The contribution of Immanuel Kant towards development of Deontological theory Immanuel Kant proposes that in taking a decision â€Å"Duty' carries the foremost importance. Kant is of the view that a person's actions will only be regarded as morally and ethically correct when they are taken keeping in mind the sense of duty and responsibility in mind. Teleological Ethical Theory The tele ological ethical theory put the primary focus on the â€Å"Consequences† i. e. â€Å"What are those actions that produce the best possible results†?Along with attaching importance to the consequences the teleological theory also suggests that the ecisions framework that is developed for achieving the desired consequences should also be managed with care. Consequentialist Theory According to the â€Å"Consequentiality Theory', the basis for determining how moral a person's actions are the consequences. The consequences of actions can be good or bad, and they can be damaging or favourable. The contribution of Jeremy Bentham towards development of a person's actions can be a classified as good or bad depending on what consequences the action has produced.According to Bentham's opinion the good things are classified as â€Å"pleasure† and the bad ones as pain†. (http://www. studymode. com/) 1. 2 Absolute ethics has only two sides: Something is good or bad, bl ack or white. Some examples in police ethics would be unethical behaviours such as bribery, extortion, excessive force, and perjury, which nearly everyone would agree are unacceptable behaviours by the police. Relative ethics is more complicated and can nave a multitude ot sides witn varying shades ot gray . What is considered ethical behaviour by one person may be deemed highly unethical by someone else.The Absolutist theory is the theory that certain things are right or wrong from an bjective point of view and cannot change according to culture. Certain actions are intrinsically right or wrong, which means they are right or wrong in themselves. This is also known as deontological. The relativist theory is the theory that there are no universally valid moral principles. All principles and values are relative toa particular culture or age. Ethical relativism means that there is no such thing as good â€Å"in itself†, but if and action seems good to you and bad to me, that is it, and there is no objective basis for us to discover the truth.This theory is also known as teleological. An example of an absolutist ethical system would be if a single mother with a very young child had no money and therefore no food to feed the child, and she stole some food from the shop and the mother was caught and had a trial, an absolutist would argue that its morally wrong to steal and should suffer the consequences of the crime. They don't take into account the situation the person might be in and use an absolute law. However, this is in contrast to the alternative ethical system, called â€Å"relativist†, because this system is really the complete opposite.Again I'll use the same example s I did for absolutist. If a relativist was looking at this they would take into consideration the situation the woman might be in and empathize with her and try to find an outcome that is the most fair. One reason to support the absolutist approach as the only defensible approac h is that it provides Justification for acting which means that morality seems to demand some sort of obligation. If there's a fixed moral code then there is no obligation to act in a way. Another strength is that it gives clear guidelines, which basically means the rules are fixed and clear to apply. () 1. 3 Ethics refers to a prescribed or accepted code of conduct. Ethical issues are a set of moral values that need to be addressed while carrying out business. Businesses operate in a society that is structured around moral values. Therefore, when conducting its operations, a business has certain responsibilities which are to provide the society with quality goods and services that will improve the people's living standards. In order to survive, a business needs to maintain its customers. Product packaging is one way of ensuring a business maintains its existing customers and also acquire ew customers.Some companies are known to allow underweight packaging of products which are then highly priced and this is a rude way of increasing profits. However this negative trend will affect the business in the long run as customers will eventually come to learn that they are being swindled. In an attempt to boost sales, some businessmen adapt promotional method mislead customers as the message conveyed may not give the exact details of the product. Businesses should desist from increasing prices without valid reasons. In doing so, they will be taking advantage of the customer and this is unethical.Businessmen should also desist from taking part in corrupt practices such as selling low standard goods while bribing government officials in order to continue operating. Entrepreneurs should consider the effects of their activities on the society they serve. In the long run, wrong dealings and corruption will tarnish the image of the business and have a negative effect on sales. Business people ought to comply with the law requirements and observe laid down principles of mora lity in their dealings. They should seriously consider expectations of the community they serve. (    Ethics Table of Contents Therapeutic Patient Relationships Overview Since the sass, ethics has been incorporated into virtually every aspect of the health care system. Because of such a small time window, the study of ethics in a medical perspective continues to change and improve for the benefit of the patient. Studies of doctor-patient relationships Indicate the need of greater ethical study and intervention.Studies show that although many physicians are aware that a romantic r sexual relationship Is unethical, as many as nine percent believe that the ethics depends on the situation (Reese, 2012). Often, an abuse in the doctor-patient relationship does not occur because of a lack in educational skills. Rather, abuse in the doctor/patient is attributed to flaws, or loopholes, in the rules of ethics and law (Subplots et al, 2010). Continued research of the most recent ethical framework can begin lowering any chance of unprofessional.In order to have a successful patient relationship, a phys ician must understand and respect the barriers in place. This session will take a look at ethics. Participants will assess their own ethical principles and apply the concepts they've learned to problems in ethical communication and/or conduct in the workplace. Behavioral Objectives Intended to inform the physician on the definition of ethics Clarify the nature of the ethical responsibilities held in common by current and prospective physicians. Identifies ethical considerations relevant to physicians Recognize different situations containing unethical conduct.Gain the knowledge on how to respond to in situations that require ethical decision-making. Apply the incept of good ethical behavior in their current practice. Outline of Training Session I. Introduction:What is ethics? Ethics refers to a framework of discipline from a branch of philosophy, in which ideas of right and wrong, virtue and vice, and good and evil, are all examined systematically (salvoes & Meyer, 1990). II. Compon ents of Ethics Participants will know basic history, definition, and examples of ethics. A.Ethical Framework – before we can manage ethical dilemmas in the health care setting, we must understand examples of ethical principle, as well as our own, to avoid any conflict of interest. . Self-Assessment Culture Values Beliefs Ideas 2. Continuous Regulation Self-control Trustworthiness Professionalism Education Intervention B. Understand the Significance of Ethics 1. Factors That Improve Ethical Conduct a. Public view c. School curriculum d. Government regulations 2. Factors That Require Ethical Behavior a. Provide company guideline for ethical behavior b.Teach the company's guidelines importance c. Describe punishments for unethical conduct C. Review Examples of Unethical/Ethical Conduct IV. Class Activity – Ethics Assessment V. Effectively practice effective ethical communication A. Understand the needs of the recipient D. Ensuring the message considers the common good E. Continue to interpret for conflicts of interest F. Consider the consequences of each message 1. Is this message mutually valuable? 2. Is this message violating confidentiality of another person? Is this message questionable to your professionalism? . VI. Class Discussion VII Summary of Training Session VIII Conclusion Literature Review: Where the Patient Relationship Ends Dry A, a 49 year-old gynecologist, was treating a 36 year-old female patient, Ms B, for chronic vaginal yeast infections. He described her as being seductive during the husband. Dry A found himself feeling very sympathetic towards her and began scheduling longer patient appointments so he could provide some therapy for her as well as assessing and treating the vaginal complaints for which she ostensibly saw him.He would hold her hand while she talked about her difficult situation at home. This decent down the ‘slippery slope' progressed into hugging, and then kissing at the end of the session. He recognized t hat he was feeling lonely and not having regular sexual relations with his wife. Dry A even noted that his wife was inorganic as though her condition was in some way an excuse to progress to a sexual relation with the patient) (Gabbed & Hobby, 2012). The first time that Dry A and Ms B had sexual relations was after hours in his office.This sexual encounter consisted of mutual oral sex. The meetings were set up during appointments in the office, usually at the end of the day. He finally ended these contacts when he felt the encounters were no longer gratifying to him. In addition, he was worried about being caught and that others would not understand his reasons for departing from the usual procedures (Gabbed & Hobby, 2012). Following the filing of a complaint by the patient, Dry A was sent for evaluation.When asked directly he thought he had harmed the patient, Dry A responded that he felt he had actually helped her by his sexual involvement with her (Gabbed & Hobby, 2012). Introduc tion This physician, Dry A, failed to recognize the unethical conduct he was committing in the obvious power differential with the patient, Ms B. Dry A failed to recognize that a patient is paying for his expertise for the treatment of a disease or ailment, and not a relationship of conscious feelings.If Dry A had greater understanding regarding the ethical principle of the doctor/patient relationship, Dry A may have been able to make a more rational decision so this situation never occurred; likewise, if Ms B had more understanding of the ethical principle prior to her first appointment, Ms B may have had the knowledge to evade Dry Ass advances. In summary, the doctor and the patient should be educated on ethical conduct before the doctor-patient relationship is formed to avoid situations, like the example.Studies show that although many physicians are aware that a romantic or sexual relationship is unethical, as many as nine percent believe that the ethics depends on he situation (Reese, 2012). The American Medical Association (AMA) states that prior doctor/patient relationships can influence the patient's treatment and that such a relationship is unethical if the doctor â€Å"uses or exploits trust, knowledge, emotions or influence derived from the previous professional relationship† (American Code of Medical Ethics, 2012).The Mama's use of â€Å"prior relationship† leaves wiggle room for the â€Å"it's complicated† answer, which over one third of the physicians had answered to the question, â€Å"Is it acceptable to become involved romantic or sexual relationship with a patient? In Medicare's 2012 ethics survey (Reese, 2012). Could it be that the and Ms B are aware of the rules but chose in proceeding to break the barriers of the doctor/patient relationship because â€Å"it's complicated? † The â€Å"it's complicated† answer may originate from feelings from the physician to do anything possible to treat the patient.One s tudy on therapists, explains that the therapists would get sexually involved relationships with suicidal borderline patients in order to save the patient from suicide (Gabbed & Hobby, 2012). This ration is flawed, however, because the physician, like Dry A, should have continued to worked to attain the nature of the intended relationship as clearly therapeutic with any potential unexpected circumstances, which is the idea behind the entire therapeutic process (Crower, Belly & Subplots, 2010).A professional needs to self-regulate their internal drives and thoughts in the absence of clear standards or unexpected circumstances, such as that of a suicidal patient whom is not responding to evidence- based treatment (Crower, Belly & Subplots, 2010). This is critical because usually a patient will give up his or her own autonomy to respect the decision of a paternalistic physician (Shari, Samara, Arachnids, 2013).Not to say this approach to a doctor/ patient is unethical, but it can leave room for unethical conduct if the physician cannot control his or her internal drives or thoughts. Patients, like Miss B, need doctors that are competent in all areas of their profession. The study of ethics in undergraduate courses and medical school curriculum is still improving; consequently, it should continuously be assessed in terms of content, educational methods, and change in behavior, and be revised accordingly (Shari, Samara, Arachnids, 2013).Within only the past 20 years or so, medical schools have gun incorporating ethics as its own respective subject (Houghton, Sparks & Chadwick, 2010). The introduction of ethics in to medical undergraduate curriculum has met resistance, however, because it is evolving constantly and some believe ethical topics are redundant or impossible to be taught (Houghton, Sparks & Chadwick, 2010).Once a few generations of physicians are educated, they can begin teaching newer generations from first hand experience to ensure they are fully compet ent, rather than trainers teaching the instructors (Shari, Samara, Arachnids, 2013). Ethics, according to James S. Recourse (2003), â€Å"refers to a field of inquiry, or discipline, in which matters of right and wrong, good and evil, virtue and vice, are systemically examined (p. 49).Professional ethics is described by Craven & Hiring (2009) as involving â€Å"principles and values universal application and standards of conduct to be upheld in all situations (p. 76). The traditional principles that provided the moral grounding for the protection on human subjects in the United States began forming in the sass (Faded, Sass, ethical concern has been to protect patients from injury, risk, abuse, and unjust orders of medical research (Faded, Sass, Goodman, Provosts, Tunis & Bà ©chamel, 2013).There has been an importance in our society of forming a Just health care system, which is guided by principles of healthcare ethics that include benefice, non- maleficent, respect for autonomy, and Justice (Craven & Hiring, 2008). Physicians, nurses, and other members of the health care team have been developing codes of ethics in order to sustain a Just health care system.Faded, Sass, Goodman, Provosts, Tunis & Bà ©chamel (2013) propose a framework that consists of seven ethical obligations, they include: ) to respect the rights and dignity of patients; 2) to respect the clinical Judgment of clinicians; 3) to provide optimal care to each patient; 4) to avoid imposing monomaniacal risks and burdens on patients; 5) to reduce health inequalities among populations; 6) to conduct responsible activities that foster learning from clinical care and clinical information; and 7) to contribute to the common purpose of improving and quality and value of clinical care and health systems (p. ). Most frameworks regarding medical ethics loosely follow these seven steps. Frameworks in ethics provide a systematic way to decide what's right from wrong in a rarity of assigned priorities th at are goal emphasized (Craven & Hiring, 2008). All members of the health care team have a framework, and they can find it resembles this model. Several issues of unethical conduct in the health care setting can arise if ethical principle is ignored.The following are a few debated matters of medical ethical principle that occurs in the health care setting: physician-assisted suicide (Glover, 2010), clinical trials (Barton & Ugly, 2009), bribes/gifts from patients (Sash & Fug- Barman, 2013), patient abuse, sexual comments/actions toward patient (Crower, Belly & Subplots, 2010), confidentiality (Craven & Hiring), and financial interests (Reed, Mueller, & Brenna, 2013). While some subjects such as euthanasia (physician- assisted suicide) may have different labels of good or bad from different people, other subjects such as sexual patient abuse is generally discovered by most of society.While ethical principle of that society on certain principles might change at the about the same rate medical technology changes, it is still important for any health care worker to keep these principles in mind. Since the implementation of medical ethics is relatively new, changes are rapidly occurring in medical education curriculum as well as the workforce. Evidence shows, the effects of the teaching of medical ethics causes greater ethical sensitivity in the clinical setting (Crower, Belly & Subplots, 2010). However, there are still many cases in which medical ethics education does not have an impact.As the progression of ethics continues in the health care setting, evaluation of medical ethics teaching is vital. Research by Shari, Samara, and Arachnids (2013) finds that matching education is successful, and not a waste of human or financial resources. The Institute of Medical Ethics recommends a pyramid of increasing levels of education, they include: knowledge, habituation, and action (Crower, Belly & Subplots, 2010). The idea is to have medical students think critically abou t historical precedents and future situations involving ethical dilemmas, then put into practice the best consideration.The most important thing teaching ethics gives to medical students is awareness (Crower, Belly & Subplots). With practicing physicians, it is important to continue education on professionalism because doing so shows its significance as a competency (Reed, Mueller, & Brenna, 2013). As introductory and continuing teaching methods are evaluated and improved, future medical students can become more ethically sensitive in their communication and actions. References AMA Code of Medical Ethics. Opinion 8. 14 sexual misconduct in the practice of medicine. Http://www. AMA-assn. Org/AMA/pub/physician-resources/medical-ethics/ code-medical-ethics/opinion. Page Accessed November 3, 2012. Shari, F. , Samara A. & Arachnids, A. (2013). Medical ethics course for undergraduate medical students: A needs assessment study. Journal Of Medical Ethics & History Of Medicine, 6(1) Barton, E. , & Ugly, S. 2009) Ethical or unethical persuasion? The rhetoric of offers to participate in clinical trials. Written Communication, 26(3), 295-310 Craven, R. F. & Hiring C. J. (2008). Fundamentals of nursing: Human health and function, 6th. Liposuction Williams & Wilkins Inc.Philadelphia, PA. 76-77. Crower, M. , Belly, S. , & Subplots F. (2010) Abuse of the doctor-patient relationship. London: Royal College of Psychiatrists. Faded, R. , Sass, N. , Goodman, S. , Provosts, P. , Tunis, S. , & Beach, T. (2013). An ethics framework for a learning health care system: A departure from traditional research ethics and clinical ethics. The Hastings Center Report, Spec Noses-ASS Gabbed, G. 0. , & Hobby, G. S. (2012). A psychoanalytic perspective on ethics, self- deception and the corrupt physician. British Journal Of Psychotherapy, 28(2), 235-248. Glover, P.C. (2010) Physician-assisted suicide is unethical. Greengages Press. Recourse, J. S. (2003). Communication ethics. Management Communic ation: A Case- Analysis Approach. 2nd. New Jersey: Pearson Education. Professionalism challenges and opportunities. Minnesota Medicine, 96(1 1), 44-47 Reese, S. (2012). When is it okay to date a patient? Netscape ethics report 2012. Netscape, http://www. Educate. Com/vertically/774295. Sash, S. & Fug-Barman, A (2013 Physicians under the influence: Social psychology and industry marketing strategies. Journal Of Law, Medicine & Ethics. 41 (3), 665-672.Attachment: Principles of Medical Ethics Revised and adopted by the AMA House of Delegates (June 17, 2001) l. A physician shall be dedicated to providing competent medical care, with compassion and respect for human dignity and rights. II. A physician shall uphold the standards of professionalism, be honest in all professional interactions, and strive to report physicians deficient in character or impotence, or engaging in fraud or deception, to appropriate entities. Ill. A physician shall respect the law and also recognize a responsibil ity to seek changes in those requirements, which are contrary to the best interests of the patient. ‘ IV.A physician shall respect the rights of patients, colleagues, and other health professionals, and shall safeguard within the constraints of the law. V. A physician shall continue to study, apply, and advance scientific knowledge; maintain a commitment to medical education; make relevant information available to tenets, colleagues, and the public; obtain consultation; and use the talents of other health professionals when indicated. VI. A physician shall, in the provision of appropriate patient care, except in emergencies, be free to choose whom to serve, with whom to associate, and the environment in which to provide medical care VI'.A physician shall recognize a responsibility to participate in activities contributing to the improvement of the community and the betterment of public health. As paramount. ‘X. A physician shall support access to medical care for all peo ple. Source: Code of Medical Ethics: In-Hand Activity: Ethics Self-Assessment The American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) made this survey so you can identify areas of ethical practice in which you are weak or strong. For each question, identify one of the five answers that is best suited to you.The ACHE does not believe in a numbered final score, because it is not a tool for evaluating ethical behavior of others. The number that corresponds with each response simply helps you uncover any areas of concern that may require the need for enhancement in some of your current ethical practice. Almost Never Occasionally Usually 4 5 Always Not Applicable 2 I. Leadership 3 I take courageous, consistent and appropriate management actions to overcome barriers to achieving my organization's mission. I place community/patient benefit over my personal gain.I strive to be a role model for ethical behavior. I work to ensure that decisions about access to care are based primarily on medical necessity, not only on the ability to pay. My statements and actions are consistent with professional ethical standards, including the ACHE Code of Ethics. Circumstances would allow me to confuse the issues I advocate ethical decision making by the board, management team and medical staff. I use an ethical approach to conflict resolution. I initiate and encourage discussion of the ethical aspects of management/financial issues.I initiate and promote discussion of controversial issues affecting community/patient health (e. G. , domestic and community violence and decisions near the end of life). I promptly and candidly explain to internal and external stakeholders negative economic trends and encourage appropriate action. I use my authority solely to fulfill my responsibilities and not for self-interest or to further the interests of family, friends or associates. When an ethical conflict confronts my organization r me, I am successful in finding an effective resolution process and ensure it is followed.I demonstrate respect for my colleagues, superiors and staff. I demonstrate my organization's vision, mission and value statements in my actions. I make timely decisions rather than delaying them to avoid difficult or politically risky choices. I seek the advice of the ethics committee when making ethically challenging decisions. My personal expense reports are accurate and are only billed to a single organization. I openly support establishing and monitoring internal mechanisms (e. G. , an ethics committee or program) to

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Can one argue that we live in an all-inclusive Information Society Illustrate your answer by offering examples from the media a - Essay Example ICT has proven its worth for providing economic developments, improving the quality of living, opening employment opportunities, and linking people no matter where they may be located in the world. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether or not one can argue that people live in an all-inclusive Information Society. Hence, it will dig into details such as the background of the network society, the definition and facts about all-inclusive information society, some issues that surround it, the influence of media and other communications industries, and the arguments, advantages, and disadvantages of the issue in focus. Background of All-inclusive Information Society The e-inclusion policy of Europe aims to lessen disparities when it comes to ICT usage among every single person despite social status. This policy wishes to create an all-inclusive information society, also known as the network society wherein everyone can create their own opportunities in business, education, and e mployment by being able to access reliable information through the different tools and services provided by ICT easily (International Telecommunication Union 2012). Manuel Castells (cited in Glass 2005, p. 9) once postulated that ‘in a new network economy, information becomes a key factor in economic productivity.’ For example, the flow of stocks in the market is based on relevant information regarding businesses and finances, as well as social and technological trends. Hence, information is made known through ICT and the relevant information is being used to improve businesses and increase economies. The all-inclusive information society is needed in order to balance development in a nation—both the urban and rural areas. The ICT tools and services must be fairly accessible and convenient to all citizens so that they will access information equally relevant for the improvement of their quality of living for all types of people including the disabled, old, and th ose living in remote areas where there used to be difficulties in finding good signals to access the net (European Commission 2007). In the advent of technology, only few people were able to make use of the internet especially the educated ones. These days, almost everyone can use and access ICT tools and services—even children can go online and be able to do e-learning. However, despite these advancements, studies have shown that factors such as education, age, employment, culture, and language may impede the e-inclusion policy because these are major drawbacks in the effective usage of information and communication technologies (Webster 2006). Solutions to these have constantly been researched and studied in order to realise the policy fully. Countries like Europe have implemented this and are close to around 80% of success in the e-inclusion. They still need to do a lot of work, though, and they are aware of it. Other countries, especially those belonging to the third worl d country will find this a difficult task because first and foremost the availability and affordability percentage of people in using ICT tools and services is quite low, but the positive side is that there are more and more people becoming more literate to these technologies little by little (European Communities 2006). In an all-inclusive network society, every ICT user will be able to express his or her opinion, which is a great way to make

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Saving Belizes Barrier Reefs Essay Earth’s resources are not limitless, they have breaking points and natural properties can be threatened by a multitude of factors that can leave the area in ruins. The Belize Barrier Reef is such an area. It is a breathtaking natural system, home to a diverse array of life forms, which is being threatened by mankind and environmental factors. Conservation efforts can be put into action to ensure the continued existence of this site, but those efforts require financial backing. With proper monetary support, the increased conservation efforts can reverse the destruction on the reef. The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is a rich and diverse ecosystem that can be preserved for the enjoyment of generations to come. * The coastal area of Belize is the location of The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. The reef is the largest of its kind within the northern hemisphere, stretching out over 200 miles along Belize’s coast. The reef contains many mangrove forests, large atolls, pristine lagoons, and approximately 450 sand cays. Additionally, the reef is home to a plethora of marine life which both directly and indirectly impacts this ecosystem and the diverse life contained within. The preservation of this site is crucial due to the abundant threatened species that make their home in the reef. Specifically, there are nearly a thousand species that inhabit the reef such as the loggerhead, green, and hawksbill sea turtles, the largest population of manatees in the world, and the American marine crocodile. Additionally, the reef system is home to numerous types of coral, sharks, barracuda, dolphins, angelfish, and several species of birds. The aquatic and plant life of the reef react and prosper through their connections; the reef and the vegetation within provide shelter and food for this array of life that live within (UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 1992-2012). * With the abundant life forms that exist within the reef, it is imperative that it be protected, yet the reef system is in danger as a result of huma n interference and climate issues. Because the world is a giant ecosystem, human mistreatment has led to imbalances on a dramatic level, such as fluctuating climate. This climate control issue is adversely affecting both  the water level in the reef and the organisms within. Tropical storms have been an issue as well as they threaten the coast with tidal waves and erosion, however the reef and mangrove cays do offer significant protection to the areas further inland (Young, 2008). According to World Resources Institute (2008), â€Å"Coral reefs and mangroves are highly interconnected habitats, physically supporting each other and providing habitat for many species. For example, mangroves filter sediment and pollutants from coastal runoff, supporting the clean water favored by corals. Many species important to fisheries and tourism rely upon mangrove habitat for part of their life-cycle† (p. 2). * With the delicate balance of this ecosystem and all it offers, it would stand to reason that locals would do everything possible to preserve the reef, yet that is not the case. In fact, locals and tourists are threatening this precious ecosystem and could cause its decline. Deforestation, oil drilling, and coastal development are all threats. In 2002 crude oil was discovered in Belize, igniting frenzy and attracting hundreds of prospectors. Additionally, the growing population and tourism industry has led to rapid development for both residential and commercial purposes (Young, 2008). â€Å"Over the last five decades, large-scale agriculture (citrus, bananas, sugar cane) and, more recently, large-scale aquaculture (shrimp and tilapia farming) have escalated at the expense of the forests. Coupled with rapid and increasing coastal development, illegal logging, and slash-and-burn agriculture, Belize is currently experiencing a deforestation rate that is twice that of Central America (2.3% vs. 1.2% annually)†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Young, 2008, para. 4). * Fortunately, others have realized the value of the reef system and have taken steps to protect it. â€Å"The preservation of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is critical to both its marine inhabitants and the local communities that depend on the site for their livelihoods† (Terracurve, 2009, para. 3). In 2009, the United Nation Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added the reef reserve system to their list of World Heritage in Danger sites. The UNESCO foundation hopes to spread the message that the Belize Reef System belongs to all people and its natural heritage and beauty should be protected (UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 1992-2012). Conservation efforts have also been put into play to ensure this world heritage sites continued existence. The department of fishery in Belize has recognized the need to reform the  national fisheries policy in an effort to control over fishing in the reefs, which is a substantial threat to the reef. Such reforms should help the over fished areas to rebuild, offer protection to the reefs and delicate coral, and add to the number of protected marine areas where fishing is not allowed (Wildlife Conservation Society, 2012). Conservation efforts for the Barrier Reef system still have a long way to go. Local Belize communities and their inhabitants are one group that can do much good towards the conservation of this national treasure. However, in order for this to happen the locals need to be educated on conservation and its benefits and become invested in the reefs. Although this is a challenge do to the extreme poverty that exists within Belize and the citizens’ access to educational information. Poverty greatly increases the instances of environmental misuse because those affected typically have greater worries than environmental conservation. In order to implement a conservation plan that includes involvement from local citizens, there must also be efforts made to boost the socio-economic standing of the citizens. Long term preservation of the reef could be financially beneficial to the Belize economy and better the citizen’s socio-economic standings. Additionally, allowing the citizens to work with the government officials towards making decisions concerning the reef will give them a sense of investment in the reef (Young, 2008). * Improving the socio-economic conditions in Belize and educating citizens is just a small step that can lead to more effective conservation efforts for the reef. That still leaves the issues of outside interference on the ecosystem such as oil drilling and deforestation. Although Belize has established a protection plan for certain land a sea areas, it is apparent that tighter restrictions are needed. In particular, oil drilling and deforestation are major issues that threaten the reef that should have increased restrictions placed on them. This will require increased monitoring and amendments to the protected area systems. Additionally, the three management teams which oversee the protected areas appear to all have different ideas concerning best conservation practices. For that reason it would make sense to unify the groups, leaving only one division to oversee the protected areas and enforce regulations (Meerman, 2004). Drastic measures to preserve the reef system need to be taken now, before it is too late. If conservation efforts are not increased, coral health and fish  populations will continue to decline and the mangrove cays will face extinction. As it stands, the shark population in the reef waters has already declined, which is an indicator as to the reefs health. The absence of sharks in the reefs allows the populations of barracudas and rays to increase and take control. These second rate predators can have damaging effects on the reefs if there numbers are not controlled, such as limiting the populations of parrot fish, conch, and lobster. Lobster is important in Belize as it is one of t he country’s major exports. Parrot fish play an integral role in the reef as well, they are plant eaters and there food source is algae. Without parrot fish and other plant eating fish eating the algae and keeping it in check, it will spread until the reef is consumed by it, which could be irreversible (Kryt Ward, 2008). The Barrier Reef Reserve System off of the coast of Belize is breathtaking example of nature’s beauty. Additionally, it is a precious natural system teaming with diverse life forms. Although climate and human interference have caused the reef to become an endangered site, it is not too late to reverse the effects of mistreatment. Education on conservation efforts and increased restrictions can greatly increase the reefs chances of survival for generations to come. Without these efforts, a precious natural resource will be lost, and the reef is most certainly worth preserving. References * Kryt, K. Ward, J. (2008). Trouble in paradise-the struggle to save Belize’s Glover’s atoll. Retrieved from http://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/eij/article/trouble_in_paradise/ Meerman, J.C. (2004). Protected Areas Policy and System Plan: Protected Area System Assessment Analysis. Retrieved from http://biological-diversity.info/NPAPSP.htm * Terracurve. (2009). Help protect the Belize Barrier Reef with the support of the United Nations. Retrieved from http://www.terracurve.com/2009/07/01/help-protect-the-belize-barrier-reef-with-the-support-of-the-united-nations/ * UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (1992-2012). Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. Retrieved from http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/764 Wildlife Conservation Society. (2012).