Ethical Dilemmas in Disaster Response: A Case Study of Thai Cave

This essay explores the ethical dimensions of the Thai cave rescue incident, specifically focusing on Elon Musk's involvement and the subsequent ethical dilemmas that arose. It examines the sequence of events, from the team's entry into the cave to their eventual rescue, highlighting Musk's proposal to send a mini-submarine and the friction it created with the existing rescue operations. The analysis delves into the ethical considerations behind Musk's actions, considering arguments both for and against his decisions, and evaluates them through various ethical frameworks, including virtue-based, common good, and duty and right-based approaches. The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of ethical frameworks in navigating complex situations and making sound decisions, especially in high-pressure scenarios like disaster response.

Running head: PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT
PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author’s Note

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Module 1..........................................................................................................................................2
Module 2..........................................................................................................................................3
Module 3..........................................................................................................................................4
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................4
References........................................................................................................................................5

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Introduction
The purpose of this assignment focuses on the ethical dilemma that is centered on ‘Thai
Cave Disaster that occurred this year and subsequent responses from across the globe specially
the famous tech enterprise Elon Musk. This study provides an overview on the response to
disaster by Eon Musk and ethical bounds upon which to assess it.
Module 1
1. Sequence of events from when the group entered the cave to when they are rescued
Eon Musk has sent the team to caves but this created friction as the rescue operation went
underway. The head of investigative process has released Space X and CEO Tesla on social
networks regarding visiting this site where the operation center stated that mini- submarine was
on left that has been designed to ferry trapped football team members (Shapiro and Stefkovich
2016). Eon Musk first suggested that he might aid to spare captured children as well as their
football coach. After few days, he confirmed that Space X engineers and his enterprise would be
sent to Thailand. Mr Musk then chose to change Space X Falcon rocket into small submarine and
then reveal it online during test period (Bbc.com 2018). After few days, he said that submarine
might not assists in circumstances as teams that took rescue were impractical. While rescuing the
team, a driver died while repairing air tanks. As the underwater caves do not have escape routes,
it created difficulties for rescue operations in rescuing the team.
2. i) The people trapped within cave were team of twelve boys who visited the cave during their
expedition. They were recognized to be local football team members known as Wild Boars. The
football coach was also trapped with the team.

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ii) The reason behind entry of football coach and its team was due to expedition. The children
along with the team went into cave for participating in adventurous expedition. They got trapped
when levels of water increased in given tract (Morales-Sánchez and Cabello-Medina 2013).
iii) The major figures in international community and government that responded to this event
were the Navy Seals who had been working in Thailand for the last few years. The government
of this country had also undertaken initiatives for rescuing these people. The rescue team had
consisted of around 110 Thai Navy Seals. Moreover, the foreign bodies that were mainly liable
for rescue mission was the British Cave Rescue Council (Copeland 2013).
What did Eon Musk propose
Eon Musk proposed in sending small submarine for rescuing children and coach who
were trapped in this cave. Due to increase in water level, the children entered this cave got
trapped in the passage that connected cave to mainland.
Module 2
1. The ethical dilemma was that Eon Musk primarily choosing Space X engineers for rescuing
the team but later on chose to change over Space X Falcon rocket into small submarine. It has
been perceived by researchers that Musk has been doing it for self promotion.
a) To support Musk decision, the three sources are- Musk efforts helped to rescue team trapped,
he celebrated rescue mission, the operation took less hours.
b) To argue against decisions of Musk are- Rescue team not ending up in success of rescuing
using Eon’s intention, the cave was narrow for submarine, solo rhythm was annoying.

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Module 3
1. Eon Musk had the proper intention to be successful in rescuing the team. But his change
in decision led to increase in difficulties of operations. As a result, the rescue operation
had seen a victim where driver died in repairing air tanks.
2. The three ethical framework are- virtue based, common good and duty and right- based.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be concluded ethical dilemmas are problematic as it
often needs to select between right and not right. Having proper ethical framework is vital for an
individual to follow as it aid to select between ethical decision.

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References
Bbc.com 2018. The full story of Thailand’s extraordinary cave rescue. [online] BBC News.
Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44791998 [Accessed 7th Oct 2018].
Copeland, S., 2013. Counselling supervision in organisations: Professional and ethical
dilemmas explored. Routledge.
Morales-Sánchez, R. and Cabello-Medina, C., 2013. The role of four universal moral
competencies in ethical decision-making. Journal of Business Ethics, 116(4), pp.717-734.
Shapiro, J.P. and Stefkovich, J.A., 2016. Ethical leadership and decision making in education:
Applying theoretical perspectives to complex dilemmas. Routledge.