C206 Task 1 – Ethical Theories, Leadership, and the Ethical Lens Inventory
Zainab Chandna
, Introduction
Ethical decision-making can often be secondary in today’s profit-driven world. Successful leaders
have a duty to balance personal integrity, contractual obligations, and public safety. Effective
ethical decision-making requires a close examination of existing leadership models, global
philosophical frameworks, and a deep self-awareness of one’s own ethical profile.
Dr. Vivek Murthy is an American physician and former US Surgeon General. In his role, Dr.
Murthy the national spokesperson on public health. His responsibilities primarily included
providing citizens with critical scientific information to promote health and safety and advising
senior government officials on public health matters. The role of US Surgeon General stands as a
great example of balancing personal integrity and contractual obligations.
A1 – Dr. Vivek Murthy’s Ethical Traits
As the former US Surgeon, Dr. Murthy exhibited two ethical traits – moral courage and integrity.
Dr. Murthy’s moral courage was evident in his outspokenness towards uncomfortable realities
including the opioid crisis, loneliness epidemic, and the harm that social medica can do for young
people. The opioid crisis was challenging due to the political and industry groups that were backing
the widespread sale of opioids despite the addiction and deaths the drugs were directly contributing
to. The loneliness epidemic is linked to increased risks of heart failure and stroke. It is largely
caused by the increased digitalization of social interaction. This is linked closely to the dangers of
social media for young people where digitalization has made bullying far more common resulting
in high rates of depression among young people.
Despite the US Surgeon General being appointed by the President, Dr. Murthy maintained
consistency of views throughout his tenure. Grounded in scientific evidence vs. political pressure,
Zainab Chandna
, Introduction
Ethical decision-making can often be secondary in today’s profit-driven world. Successful leaders
have a duty to balance personal integrity, contractual obligations, and public safety. Effective
ethical decision-making requires a close examination of existing leadership models, global
philosophical frameworks, and a deep self-awareness of one’s own ethical profile.
Dr. Vivek Murthy is an American physician and former US Surgeon General. In his role, Dr.
Murthy the national spokesperson on public health. His responsibilities primarily included
providing citizens with critical scientific information to promote health and safety and advising
senior government officials on public health matters. The role of US Surgeon General stands as a
great example of balancing personal integrity and contractual obligations.
A1 – Dr. Vivek Murthy’s Ethical Traits
As the former US Surgeon, Dr. Murthy exhibited two ethical traits – moral courage and integrity.
Dr. Murthy’s moral courage was evident in his outspokenness towards uncomfortable realities
including the opioid crisis, loneliness epidemic, and the harm that social medica can do for young
people. The opioid crisis was challenging due to the political and industry groups that were backing
the widespread sale of opioids despite the addiction and deaths the drugs were directly contributing
to. The loneliness epidemic is linked to increased risks of heart failure and stroke. It is largely
caused by the increased digitalization of social interaction. This is linked closely to the dangers of
social media for young people where digitalization has made bullying far more common resulting
in high rates of depression among young people.
Despite the US Surgeon General being appointed by the President, Dr. Murthy maintained
consistency of views throughout his tenure. Grounded in scientific evidence vs. political pressure,
