Week 2 Discussion Post

The actions of the humanitarian aid workers exhibited several ethical consideration as well as
strong personal values. By coming to the aid of the migrants to ensure that they did not die in the
desert the aid workers demonstrated the virtue of care. They demonstrated care for the lives and
well being of others even when they were asked not to do so by the authorities. Also, the workers
demonstrated compassion by sympathizing with the plight of the migrants. In regards to ethics,
the humanitarian aid workers demonstrated the virtue of beneficence whereby they benefited the
migrants with their actions by providing them with water to drink.

A person should evaluate their ethics and values in light of current laws and the risk of possible
negative consequences that they may have to bear by taking certain actions that may violate the
law. First, it is important to consider if the well being or lives of others are at stake. Even though
one may take actions that may violate the law it is necessary to take such actions in situations
where the lives or wellbeing of others is at stake. In the case of the humanitarian workers the
lives of the migrants were at stake and if they were not provided with water to drink many of
them would have lost their lives (O'Mathúna et al., 2016). It is important to consider that despite
legal obligations at the end of the day we are all human and as such we should do our best to
help other human beings who are in need. Ethics calls for doing the best we can to protect others
from harm while ensuring that they also benefit from our actions even if that means sometimes
going against the law.

Reference

O'Mathúna, D., Parra Escartín, C., Moniz, H., Marlowe, J., Hunt, M., DeLuca, E., ... & O'Brien,
S. (2019). Ethics Recommendations for Crisis Translation Settings.

Week 2 Discussion Responses

Response to Trevor Bassett

You mentioned in your post that legislature is sometimes used incorrectly and the case of the
humanitarian workers and the migrants is a good example of such. It is indeed true that
humanitarian workers have the calling to help others especially those in crises even if the crises
may be self-inflicted like in the case of the migrant workers who despite violating the law found
themselves at risk of death due to hunger and thirst while in the desert. The natural reaction for
humanitarian workers in such a situation is to come to the aid of the migrants and it is not right to
legally punish them that. In my opinion, if the humanitarian workers are to be punished for such
actions the worst that should be done is to give them a warning against committing such actions
in the future.

Response to Crystal Mouton

You pointed out an interesting fact in your post that the case of the humanitarian workers and the
migrant workers is a good example of the hostile political climate surrounding the issue of
migrants. It is true that despite considering the debate from both sides of the law, the actions of
the humanitarian workers were guided by love, compassion, and unselfishness. It is true as you
mentioned in your discussion that despite legal hurdles and obstacles, we are all human beings
who should be guided by our humanity. As you discussed in your post it is important to consider
the virtue of humanity in considering whether to take certain actions to help others even if it
means being in contravention of the law. A world without compassion would be a very hostile
place to live despite the existence of the law. As such, in keeping in line with the law we should
not forget to uphold the core human values of compassion, love, and care for others.