Q: I organized a trip to a pro basketball game for 20 friends, purchasing tickets up front, then collecting the cash from each person. On game night, several did not show up, only some of whom alerted me in advance. I sold those tickets at face value at the arena. Who should get that money? Should it be refunded to the no-shows? Spread evenly among all?
– P.J., Texas
A: When any of your friends told you that they wouldn’t make the game, that was your chance to get their OK for reselling their tickets. Consumed with shame for their no-show discourtesy, they should have offered you the proceeds as modest compensation before they moved to another town and changed their names to live down the ignominy – or simply sent you flowers. As for those churls who did not even bother to call, a tough guy could regard their tickets as abandoned property and keep the money.
But if you want to remain friends with all these folks, refund their money. You’ve already taken some pains on their behalf by arranging this outing. Why not go one step further and delight everyone?
UPDATE: It was a small amount of money, $50 total, so P.J. kept it, more a matter of convenience than profit-seeking. Nobody has objected.
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Q: I am an assistant physical therapist. A patient phoned to say that she was sick and might be late. My staff told her to stay home, get well and not expose others to her flulike symptoms. She insisted on coming in. I put her on a bicycle and without telling her set it at a higher level than previously, hoping she’d tire quickly and go home. In 10 minutes, she felt horrible and quit. Was it ethical to “deceive” her to safeguard others and herself?
– Jon Wingate, Reading, Pa.
A: It is wrong to deceive a patient. If patients can’t trust you, how can they be partners in their own care? Beyond this pragmatic concern, to manipulate your patient in this way robs her of her dignity (if there can be dignity on an exercise bike) and treats her as less than an adult. And your lie – sorry, “lie” – was so unnecessary. Why not simply establish a policy barring patients who might endanger themselves or others?
Send questions and comments for Randy Cohen to Universal Press Syndicate, 4520 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64111, or ethicist@nytimes.com.
