Reference no: EM132574269

The following widely discussed case study was written by Bernard Williams (1929-2003). The case is about a chemist, but the issues it raises are equally relevant to engineering. George, who has just taken his doctorate in chemistry, finds it extremely difficult to get a job. He is not very robust in health, which cuts down the number of jobs he might be able to do satisfactorily. His wife has to go out to work to keep [i.e., to support] them, which itself causes a great deal of strain, since they have small children and there are severe problems about looking after them. The results of all this, especially on the children, are damaging. An older chemist, who knows about this situation, says that he can get George a decently paid job in a certain laboratory, which pursues research into chemical and biological warfare.

a. What should George do to best preserve his integrity?

Is it permissible for him to take the job and "compartmentalize" so as to separate his work and his personal commitments?

b. In your answer, discuss whether in taking the job George would be compromising in either of the two senses of "compromise": (1) undermine integrity by violating one's fundamental moral principles; (2) settle moral dilemmas and differences by mutual concessions or to reconcile conflicts through adjustments in attitude and conduct. What might rights ethicists and utilitarians say?