Ethical dilemma:
Respecting someone's final wishes
September 2005
Your closest friend has recently passed away after a long illness. She was a prolific writer throughout her lifetime, but she never sought to have her work published and had supported herself by way of paid employment. Your friend had never allowed you or any of her other acquaintances to read her work.
Before her death your friend made it very clear to you that she wished you to destroy all of her writing.
However, as you are clearing out her possessions you start to read the various manuscripts piled up around her home. You realise that your friend was actually an incredibly talented writer and that her works have the potential to be regarded as major works of literature for generations to come.
Ethical questions:
- What are the issues?
- Who are the stakeholders?
- What should you do?
- What would you do?
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