What Are Multiple Prima Facie Duty Responsibilities Of Roger Boisjoly

02/21/2018 PHIL 3103 – Homework 2 Aaron Long Roger Boisjoly, an engineer at Thiokol, attempted to save seven astronauts and the Challenger Space Shuttle before the January 28, 1986 disaster occurred. Boisjoly’s actions can be explained through Utilitarianism and Ross’ Prima Facie Duties. From a utilitarian standpoint, the engineer sought to maximize the “good” of the launch situation. Roger Boisjoly had two choices after discovering the O-ring dilemma: attempt to potentially save seven astronauts due to the predicted failure of the O-rings during cold weather, or not attempt. And, he chose the first option, which is the option or “action” which maximizes utility due to the foreseen consequences of seven lives taken. By an approach
Also, there are multiple Prima Facie Duty requirements which can be applied to the situation: fidelity (promising to keep the astronauts safe, build correctly), beneficence
He put the ring in ice water to prove cold temperatures’ effects on the material, challenging the NASA managers. Feynman’s actions can be explained through Kantianism and Utilitarianism. A Kantian approach for Feynman’s experiment exercises the Principle of Universalizability Test where the maxim would be: I will put the O-ring in ice water to make the ring harden and fail to seal. The universalization would be: If I put the O-ring in ice water, then the ring will harden and fail to seal. Then, the conditionalization: If everyone puts an O-ring in ice water, then everyone’s ring will harden and fail to seal. The result of this condition is true, so it passes the test. Feynman’s experiment showed how everyone should be able to try the experiment to see how the Challenger failed, in accordance with Kantianism. Feynman also maximized utility by showing a simple experiment to objectively achieve the result of the maximum good for those affected by the disaster and loss of astronauts’ lives; as well as money. Feynman objectively wanted to pass through all the “fluff” of politics as he hated shenanigans in D.C. and was suffering from cancer. He desired to maximize the utility of time as well in the situation where money and time were being lost in the trial itself. The superior theory justifying Feynman’s experiment in the Rogers