Legal Right and Ethical Obligation - Essay Example

In a case where a passenger (of American origin) tries to sue the cruise line that claims immunity under 'flag of convenience rules', the question is more of an ethical issue than a legal one. It would be quite unjust to argue that by merely flying the flag of another country, the DWI is under no obligation to pay for the loss of life and/or property of a passenger who has boarded their cruise with a fervent hope that he and his belongings will be safe. Phone Company: Third-party billing problems occur most of the time either in phone companies or in the medical sector.

Most disputes arise when people are oblivious of the declarations and statements made in fine print in most bills and invoices. As in the case of Mr. & Mrs. Kettle who were requisitioned for settlement of a phone bill that included calls made by their grandson, (unknown to them) DWI's policy on third party billing has taken into account the legal as well as the ethical grounds. DWI's action is certainly justified as the customer cannot claim ignorance of an activity that is supposedly in his control.

Casino Hotel: The case between DWI and The Queen of the Nile casino is similar to Katzenbach v. McClung and Heart of Atlanta Motel v. the United States wherein the ethical question of providing services to minority groups was debated following attacks on them. (U.S. Supreme Court, 1964). Since there was the larger question of protection of fundamental rights involved, action taken by DWI needs to be based on the premise that service can be rendered only when losses can be minimized. Oil industry: Though there is an opening up of business possibilities in Iraq for DWI, the ethical question of whether or not to do business in a war-torn country, is one that involves the recruitment of locals, the long and short term risks and benefits of doing business.

Conclusion: While considering the question of the legality and ethical standing of a particular situation, DWI needs to engage in behavior that is ethically and morally acceptable to all parties concerned. Taking refuge under the flag of convenience rules would be as ethically incorrect as extending services to minorities or undertaking business activities in war-ridden areas. Though there is a necessity for DWI to protect their own interests, as in the case of third-party billing, it is still important for them to remember that what is within legal limits might not be an ethical course of action.

It is certainly essential to do what is right rather than exercise the right to do something, forgetting ethics in the process.