Many of you may have seen the movie Jaws (1975). This movie raises some ethical

Question

Many of you may have seen the movie Jaws (1975). This movie raises some ethical issues when Chief Brody is speaking with the mayor, city fathers, and the doctor about the alleged boating incident. At one point the doctor even states that he will amend the report to say that the swimmer died from a boating accident as opposed to a shark attack. In a later scene, Chief Brody is confronted by the mother of the little boy who was eaten by the shark and she slaps him. She also informed the Chief that she learned that a girl was killed a week earlier and that he knew about it, but didn’t do anything. What concerns do the mayor and city fathers have? What ethical issues are there by the doctor changing the report? List the implications, consequences, and issues that result if Chief Brody is right and the beaches stay open. List the implications, consequences, and issues that result if Chief Brody is wrong and the beaches are closed.

Explanation / Answer

The mayor's concern with closing down the beach is his ability to maintain a cities profits and the reputation of the town. A shark attack during a holiday weekend at a tourist location would halt financial growth. The city fathers are concerned for the safety of their families, ways to eliminate the shark and job-stability. The doctor that examines the dead body went against the morals of his job title. He lacked integrity, trustworthiness and discredited himself from natural law as a leader.

If Chief Brody is right and the beaches stay open, then the town would be at a higher risk causing harm to others and integrity of the major drop.

Chief Brody shows characteristics of a moral relativist and a utilitarian when it comes to protecting the community. I believe the protection of the public health, safety, and morals of the community can be difficult to maintain but if Chief Brody is wrong, the community could risk great economic loss.

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