The case of the busy biology teacher proposes the moral dilemma facing Janet; the
professor who needs to decide whether to continue listening to a student’s problem or to
end the conversation early and attend an important staff meeting. The issue facing Janet
can be considered an ethical problem given the points made by Brincat and Wike in their
book “Morality and the Professional Life: Values at Work.”
Ethics can be described as “the philosophical study of moral behavior, or moral decision
making, or of how to lead a good life” (Brincat & Wike, 2000, p. 33). By using this
definition one can say that the problem facing Janet can be seen as a decision of right and
wrong, with regards to the actions available to her, or good and bad which can be assigned
to her motives or intentions. In the following sections I will outline the two courses of
action available to Janet and how each fits into this definition of ethical behavior.
In addition to being an ethical issue we must view Janet’s dilemma as requiring moral
reasoning. Later in the text Brincat and Wike define morality as “the activity of making
choices and of deciding, judging, justifying, and defending those actions or behaviors
called moral” (p. 33-4). To be considered a moral reason Brincat and Wike see four criteria
that should be met. The issue facing Janet is universalizable since the decision could apply
to any of her students and not just the one she is meeting with now. It is thoughtful and
reflective because she is considering the feelings of both the student and her college
commitments. Thirdly it expresses concern for others since it takes into account the
feelings of all involved parties. Lastly it expresses a moral value and not merely one that is
economic, legal, or social; this decision will have only a moral component and not
influenced by other areas of philosophy.
In addition to the four criteria set forth by Brincat and Wike we must also consider the
rights and obligations of Janet, the student, and the hiring committee. For Janet she has the
right to spend her time as she deems most appropriate for her but she also has an obligation
to her students and her college committee. How she balances the two will be further
discussed when I provide her two possible actions. I don’t necessarily believe that the
student has the right to take up the professor’s time with his or her personal problems. The
