The Parable of the Sadhu

Case Recount
1 New Zealander came staggering with a body

Dumped the almost naked, barefooted Sadhu at McCoys feet and left

McCoy took his pulse; Stephen and 4 Swiss gave outer clothings

Japanese refused to transport the Sadhu down to the hut with their horse

Stephen attempted to help the Sadhu but was suffering from altitude sickness

McCoy took off, leaving the Sadhu with Stephen

Sherpas carried Sadhu down to a rock at 15,000 feet; Japanese gave the Sadhu food and drink

Sadhu was last seen throwing rocks at dogs

Fate of Sadhu unknown

What happened high on the Himalayan pass? Describe all the people who were there. Why is the incident so important and memorable for McCoy?

Sadhu
Hindu monk Renounce material attachments, food, clothing and shelter Leaves behind all material attachments Lives in caves, forests and temples Never ending pilgrimage Rugged life (eg. early morning bath in cold mountain) Wears little or no clothing
Source: http://www.ehow.com/how_4425905_become-hindu-sadhu.html

Why is the incident so important and memorable for McCoy?

Doesnt know the final outcome Lessons about the corporate world was learnt

What do you think is the

basic ethical dilemma referred to by McCoy?

Basic Ethical Dilemma

Should McCoy have done more?

What factors may have influenced the various hikers decisionmaking? The perception among some that the Sadhu has himself to blame for the predicament, the Sadhu was not deserving of the same solicitude due to a well-dressed Western woman, the need to clear the passage before the ice passage melted, aint my problem, or all of them?

Hikers Decision Factors

Unexpected and unwanted event Sadhu should be blamed for his predicament
Aint my problem attitude Sadhu could have chosen a safer route

What right does an almost naked pilgrim who chooses the wrong trail have to disrupt our lives?

Hikers Decision Factors

Personal goal versus moral obligation at the apex of one of the most powerful experiences of our lives. Some years the pass is so bad no one gets over it.
Once in a lifetime experience Where is the limit of our responsibility in a situation like this?

Hikers Decision Factors

Each was willing to do his bit just so long as it was not too inconvenient. When it got to be a bother, everyone just passed the buck to someone else and took off Unwillingness to go beyond their capabilities Pushing responsibilities to each other No shared values in the group Follow the majority

Sherpas Decision Factors

Understand the climate and route better and see the need not to delay any longer

Sherpas believed they could not carry a man down 1,000 feet to the hut, reclimb the slope, and get across safely before the snow melted.

Sherpas Decision Factors

what the Sherpas would have done if the sadhu had been a welldressed Nepali, or what the Japanese would have done if the sadhu had been a well-dressed Asian, or what you would have done if the sadhu had been a well-dressed Western woman? Discrimination Dressing Gender Nationality

What excuses did McCoy give for his actions? McCoy did not know whether the Sadhu lived or died. Should he have inquired? Give reasons for your answer.

McCoys Excuses
Everyone had sufficiently done their part Sadhu was well enough to throw rocks at a dog Reaching the summit was a once in a lifetime opportunity Stressful situation where they had prioritize climbing the summit over the Sadhu

Should McCoy have enquired?

Yes
Ethics of care
certain communities and people are more vulnerable than others, and that the non-vulnerable population should afford extra consideration to the vulnerable communities while making decisions that might affect them.

Source: http://ethicsofisl.ubc.ca/?page_id=170

Should McCoy have enquired?

No
Knowing whether the Sadhu lived or died makes no significant impact on McCoy

The moral universe of the Sadhu teaches that death is an illusion and that one is reborn in any case. The Sadhu is in this predicament because he chose this course of action. So from the Sadhus perspective, it is his karma to perish in the Himalayas, and who am I to interfere with his fate? Evaluate the moral persuasiveness of this approach.

Moral Persuasiveness of the Approach

Should not interfere Should interfere

Know about Hindu teachings Sadhu is going to be reborn anyway Sadhu voluntarily took the more dangerous route It is his fate to die

Uncertainty of the Sadhus fate Cannot interfere with his fate ? We should do what we believe in What if a dying Christian man is lying beside the Sadhu?

Do you think that the others New Zealanders, Japanese, etc. acted ethically? Analyze the conduct of the various participants in this saga.

Teleological or Deontological?
Teleological Egoism Act Utilitarianism Rule Utilitarianism Deontological Kantian ethics Veil of Ignorance

Analysis of conduct of the hikers

Principle
Act Utilitarianism Egoism

Decision Ethical Ethical

Reasoning
Hikers Porters Sherpas livelihood and status Promotes their long term interests reach the summit

Analysis of conduct of the hikers

Principle Rule Utilitarianism Kantian Decision Reasoning Unethical Leave a dying person unattended (life is precious) Unethical Moral duty Principle of Universality Principle of Humanity - Do not treat people as a means to an end - Regardless of circumstance Unethical Impartiality - No requisite knowledge of position, social status etc.

Veil of Ignorance

What are the similarities between the ethical decision-making in the Parable of The Sadhu and the day to day decisions made in business?

Individual vs. Group Ethics

Conflict of interest between individuals & group Organizational goals influences the day to day decision making E.g. Companys decision to maximize profit instead of reducing carbon footprint vs. Individuals desire to protect the environment

Only Stephen was willing to take charge, but he could not gain adequate support from the group to care for the sadhu.

Level of Commitment
Similar to the shifting of responsibility among departments in an organization

When it got to be a bother, everyone just passed the buck to someone else and took off.

Personal Feelings
Emotivism stress influences business decision making E.g. Retrenchment to keep the company afloat

Had we mountaineers been free of stress caused by the effort and the high altitude, we might have treated the sadhu differently.

Multiculturalism
Difference in beliefs and values lead to a clash in diverse cultural preference E.g. The need to establish connections (guan xi) when working with Chinese counterparts

It is management's challenge to be sensitive to individual needs [] The cross-cultural nature of the group added a further layer of complexity.

It is clear that the author somehow feels guilty. Do you think he is guilty of ethical misconduct?

Why McCoy feels guilty?

Felt he did not act according to his personal moral standards
Did not provide enough care for the Sadhu Did not attempt to convince the group to help the Sadhu

Guilty of Ethical Misconduct?

Yes
No attempts to convince anyone to stay behind to help Did not do anything to help the Sadhu

Guilty of Ethical Misconduct?

Yes
Rule Utilitarianism
Unethical to leave a dying man unattended

Kantian
Moral duty to save someone in need of help

Rawlsians Principles of Justice

Did not offer help despite being in an advantaged position

Guilty of Ethical Misconduct?

No
Did not expect McCoy to put his life at risk Act Utilitarianism
Entire group will feel a sense of achievement for reaching the summit

In a city-state such as Singapore with its mix of managers, employees,

customers, and suppliers from different countries, ethnic backgrounds, and adhering to different religions,

how can the lessons of the Parable be effectively translated and applied in an organization that operates in Singapore?

Characteristics of Singapore

Diverse Workforce

Multicultural

Multiracial

Lessons
Organizations should have common goals and mutual understanding A leader who is able to facilitate the decision making process Rawlsian - Organizations should provide more benefits to the less advantaged

Applications
Provide environment for individual voices to be heard Organization can agree on collective/institutional ethics that employees can respect and follow

Applications
Create awareness of common prejudices and stereotypes
Embrace a multi-ethnic and multi-religious workforce

Conclusion

Conclusion
McCoy is not guilty of ethical misconduct Should have enquired about the Sadhu