Striking Responsibilities

Abstract

Brecher rejects that argument that health workers are under a special moral obligation not to strike because doing so may result in needless suffering or death. He analyzes this extreme situation and concludes that, unless it is agreed that human life in all circumstances is a completely overriding value, or unless it is accepted that everyone has a moral responsibility for suffering or death in proportion to his or her power to affect it, the argument of the special obligation is untenable. Cannell disagrees, maintaining that health personnel who voluntarily undertake to provide emergency services are morally obligated to honor their commitment. (KIE abstract)