Moral Relativism Group 1

Our group agreed that Mike McQueary did not carry out his moral responsibility fully.  He witnessed a crime inside of the team’s locker room and did not go to the authorities.   McQueary could have confronted Sandusky immediately.  He could have called the police immediately and waited for them to confront Sandusky.  Society’s popular trend is that it was wrong for him not to say anything to the authorities.  Since the ethics of the actions of McQueary and society’s beliefs are not aligned, it can be interpreted that McQueary has incorrect morals given in this specific situation.

Leaving the scene was a mistake.  An assistant coach has a moral obligation to protect a vulnerable young boy inside of his team’s locker room.  McQueary’s decision making was poor.  The role of a coach is to be a leader.  A leader does not allow an incident like this to occur.  A coach holds a position of trust and responsibility.  The decision to leave a child in a moment of need is unacceptable.  McQueary's character and decisions will be questioned every time this situation is brought up, in the short term and in the future.

As chiropractor’s, we are held to a higher standard ethically and morally than the average person.  When we are faced with moral dilemmas, we will be expected to do and make the right decision.  Our actions and decisions will be subjected to more scrutiny because of the position we hold in the community.  Our actions and decisions can send “shock waves” through the entire chiropractic profession. 

A group member added a different perspective than the one above which is worth noting.    If a Chiropractor is held to a higher moral standard than other individuals, than McQueary may have viewed himself as not having to act as morally as his higher authorities which he notified of the situation. If we were all held at different standards, when it comes to morals, then the downward spiral of disaster will continue for society. In Kinsinger's book, He emphasizes the CONSCIENCE of each individual and the gauges we use to judge those decisions. The "line" should be drawn the same for everyone.