Group Number: 5

Group Members: Rain Leoncio, Martin Miral, Patrice Refuerzo, Mark Tinio, Jennette To

Ethical Decision-Making: The Parable of the Sadhu

1. Determine the facts of the situation.

Fact 1: People from different places have crossed paths on the way to the mountain pass
going to the village which was considered a holy place.

Fact 2: It is a treacherous journey passing through the mountains of Nepal.

Fact 3: After the Americans reached 15,500 feet, Stephen felt ill so the hikers stopped to
rest then one of the New Zealander found a sadhu who was cold, naked, suffering from
Hypothermia and in need of help.

Fact 4: All of the hikers did a little help for the Sadhu but no one assumed full
responsibility to help the sadhu.

Fact 5: All of the four groups met their goal getting to the holy village but no one found out
if the sadhu lived or died.

2. Identify the ethical issue(s).

Discussion of ethical issue 1

Mcoy and the others are on a journey towards a sacred village. They all had one goal and
destination in mind, but then a sadhu came across their path who needed help. Now there is
a conflict among them on who will help the sadhu.

Discussion of ethical issue 2

The passage is already treacherous to begin with and it would be unsafe and inconvenient
to anyone of them. The question now is who will help the sadhu? They all have their
agendas, but it would be less inconvenient for some to be the one(s) to help.

Discussion of ethical issue 3

Everyone helped to ease the suffering of the sadhu but no one took full responsibility to
ensure that the sadhu will be fully stable. Leaving the sadhu laid on a large rock in the sun
then continuing to get over the pass may be justifiable but the real question is where does
their ethical responsibility as an individual and as a group end?
 3. Identify and consider the stakeholders.

Stakeholder Why This Person or Group Is a Stakeholder

Mcoy Mcoy is a businessman on his way to the holy village

Stephen Stephen is the anthropologist Mcoy brought with him with the
same goal as his

New Zealanders, Japanese Mountain climbers who are going towards the same
Hiking Club, Two Swiss destination
Couples

Sadhu An old man suffering from hypothermia that was found by

one of the climbers

4. Consider the available alternatives.

Alternative 1: Use the horse of the Japanese

Using the horse to carry and bring the sadhu to the nearest village down the mountain
will save time for the porters or anyone in the group who will take responsibility to help
the sadhu. This way, he can return to the group faster and continue climbing the mountain.

Alternative 2: Take the sadhu with them

Continue the climb as a group and carry the sadhu on the horse until they reach the holy
village. Once they reach the destination, seek help for the sadhu so he can recover.

Alternative 3: Do nothing

5. Compare and weigh the impact of the alternatives on each stakeholder you
defined.

Alternative 1: Using the horse to carry and bring the sadhu to the nearest village down the
mountain will save time for the porters or anyone in the group who will take responsibility
to help the sadhu. This way, he can return to the group faster and continue climbing the
mountain.
Stakeholder Consequence(s) of this Alternative on the Stakeholder

Mcoy He will be able to get across the pass and reach the holy village

Stephen He could have enough time to rest and regain strength to climb
towards their destination

New Zealanders, Japanese They will be able to get across the pass and reach the holy village
Hiking Club, Two Swiss
Couples

Sadhu He will be taken to the village down the mountain and be taken
care of by the villagers as he recover

Alternative 2: Continue the climb as a group and carry the sadhu on the horse until they
reach the holy village. Once they reach the destination, seek help for the sadhu so he can
recover.

Stakeholder Consequence(s) of this Alternative on the Stakeholder

Mcoy He will be able to get to the holy village but at a slower

pace

Stephen The longer travel time would’ve probably meant that he

would’ve been sick and weak for a longer duration.

New Zealanders, They will be able to get to the holy village at a much fast
Japanese Hiking rate than Mccoy
Club, Two Swiss
Couples

Alternative 3: Do nothing

Stakeholder Consequence(s) of this Alternative on the

Stakeholder

Mcoy Not minding the Sadhu, would’ve meant that

 Mccoy would’ve arrived at his destination sooner.

Stephen Stephen would’ve been treated earlier.

New The rest would’ve made it to the top at a closer rate

Zealanders, to Mccoy and Stephen.
Japanese
Hiking Club,
Two Swiss
Couples

Other considerations: Principles, rights, or duties that may override the consequences

6. Make a decision.

We choose the 1st alternative, using the horse of the Japanese to carry and bring the sadhu
to the nearest village down the mountain. This will save time for the porters or anyone in
the group who will take responsibility to help the sadhu. This way, he can return to the
group faster and continue climbing the mountain. With this alternative, they get to help the
person in need and at the same time reach their goal which is get across the pass and reach
the holy village. It is quite common in society to have this very passive stance and view.
They would rather not be held accountable and assume and expect another person to do it
instead. The “bystander” mentality is so rampant nowadays that people do not realize their
inaction is as harmful as creating the problem itself. But for us, whatever challenge or
difficulty we face, our beliefs/ values can never be disregarded.