Case Study-
Adam Brown was a highly effective, combat trained, and mission oriented Navy Seal who served for 11 years in Afghanistan and Iraq during the War against Terror. Adam Brown would never back down from a fight and lived a life of personal improvement through destruction of mediocrity. His team mates in SEAL team 4 thought very highly of him. He was described as having a “can-do attitude” and took every little task seriously and completed every order regardless of his own health or physical comfort. In an interview, Chief Petty Officer Harley stated “he would be the ultimate professional, operator, warrior that you’d want. The cool-headed professional, the one person I’d choose to have beside me if I was surrounded …show more content…
Based on this theory, Adam has a moral duty to tell his fellow team members about his struggle with addiction, and let them decide whether his combat effectiveness has come into question. A counter argument to this is as follows: Adam’s abilities were rare and unheard of. He excelled in military training and was one of the most effective SEALS on his team. He performed at such a high level that was above and beyond his peers in the program. Even though deontological ethics require that he release the information, it could be argued that removing Adam from the team would reduce the combat effectiveness of the team enough such that they would no longer be able to accomplish their mission. While the consequences of such an action may result in loss of combat effectiveness, deontological ethics suggest that “actions do not give a person moral worth.” Therefore, Adam’s right to remain in good standing as a moral person would be relinquished if he does not step forward and own up to his actions. His addiction is a factor that is a part of his very being. He has a duty to let his …show more content…
Because this decision affects his personal honor which can be argued as being the most important aspect of humanity and human morality. According to an article on virtue based ethics on ethicsmorals.com, “The general concept behind Virtue Ethics is that it focuses on what the individual should choose for his/her own personal inward behavior.” If Adam decides to keep the information to himself, it goes against many virtues including trustworthiness, service, responsibility, sobriety, selflessness, openness, and obedience. These are commonly accepted traits in the Navy and it is apparent that a decision to withhold the information and keep his teammates in the dark would put his morality on the line. Even though his teammates would likely never know of his struggle, Adam would know in his heart that an injustice had been served: one that must be remedied for the sake of his own