Essay Response!

Compare and contrast two of the ethical posts that you found similar but as a class came up with different results. Specifically speak to these points; what is the same about each situation and what is different. Why did situations that could case the same potential outcome (loss/saving of life, sickness, cultural barriers, etc) have such different numerical responses? What role, if any could technology or culture have played in these situations?

Questions 5 & 6 are almost exactly the same....

5.Ernie is cooking for his sick grandmother who adores spinach. Recently there had been
incidents of E. coli contamination of bagged spinach leading to a recall of all bagged
spinach. Bagged spinach has been restocked at many markets. But some inspections
aren’t thorough and contaminated batches are still being missed. At the market, Ernie
sees that bagged spinach is being carried again. He believes that it’s perfectly safe now
because of some official-looking information by the spinach. Ernie cooks spinach for his
grandmother, and she ends up in the hospital, violently ill. Was is permissible for Ernie
to feed his grandmother the spinach?

6.Frank is cooking for his sick grandmother who adores spinach. Recently there had been
incidents of E. coli contamination of bagged spinach leading to a recall of all bagged
spinach. Bagged spinach has been restocked at many markets. It is 100% safe to eat
and no longer contaminated with E. coli. At the market, Frank sees that bagged spinach
is being carried again. He believes that bagged spinach may still be contaminated be-
cause he heard on the radio that 25 new cases of E. coli were reported that week.
Frank cooks spinach for his grandmother. The meal is healthy and delicious. Was is
permissible for Frank to feed his grandmother the spinach?


I said that both were 100% not allowed (i.e. 1). The class however had other ideas....

they gave question 5 a 2.9 and question 6 a 3.3. First i can't comprehend how either is acceptable and second that there is a .4 difference when they are exactly the same!!!