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FORD PLANT CASE STUDY
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Young Professional
You have recently graduated from a presitgious liberal arts college, so you have good critical thinking skills and in your current legal assistance work, you have learned to be wary of sponsored studies, even if they are done by outside consultants. You are also sensitive to thinking about hidden" effects. As a former philosophy major, with a minor in biology, you believe in working from complete information.
Since your childhood, you have suffered from asthma. You jog regularly, and enjoy the scenic path along the river. On some days in the past, however, you have had to turn back due to breathing problems near the plant.
Some particular questions that you need to resolve:
- What general principles should guide working with incomplete information in this case? What would be complete information, and is it worth investing in studies to achieve it? For instance, does Ford or the government need to conduct a full epidemiological study (study of health risks on a broad social level)?
- What are ethical duties to exceptional individuals (like yourself, as one who suffers from asthma)? What does this imply specifically for Ford's application for an operating permit?
Be sure to read the Background carefully for information that is relevant to these questions and your position.
Remember that the aim in adopting a stakeholder's perspective is not to "act out" someone else's role or to make decisions according to some stereotyped view of how another person "should" act. Rather, you should focus on the stakeholder's concerns and consider how YOU would act in a similar situtation.