Problem
In the movie "Dirty Pretty Things", a medical doctor from Nigeria by the name of Okwe is living illegally in London, England. In Africa, he was a medical doctor. But in England he works as a taxi driver by day and a hotel desk manager by night. He must keep a low profile to avoid being deported by the British authorities back to Nigeria where he would face some danger for something he did in his past.
Many strange things happen at the hotel where Okwe works. One night, Okwe discovers a human heart inside a toilet in one of the hotel rooms. He reports the disturbing matter to the hotel boss, Senior Juan. But Senior Juan makes clear to Okwe that he should keep silent. If he goes to report the matter to the police, Senior Juan will reveal that Okwe is in the country without proper papers.
It turns out that Senior Juan is the ringleader of a human kidney trafficking scheme. Poor migrants who are living in England illegally, like Okwe, sell Senior Juan their kidneys in exchange for false passports that will give them a new life. The operations are performed in the hotel. But sometimes people die in the operations and so their bodies have to be somehow disposed of.
Senior Juan discovers that Okwe is a highly trained doctor. He sees a win-win-win-win possiblity. In this scene (see link below), he tries to convince Okwe to join his kidney traffiking business. He explains to Okwe that this will result in the most happiness for the most people:
• The patients will be happy because they will get better medical care from Okwe, who is more skilled at operations than others and can help to save lives
• Senior Juan will be happy because his business will do well and he will make more money
• The people who purchase the kidneys will be happy because they need the kidneys in order to live
• Okwe will be happy because Senior Juan will provide him with a passport and excellent pay for his services.
What would you do if you were in Okwe's shoes? What moral or ethical vision would inform your decision the most? Base your response upon key concepts and ideas discussed in this course and contained in the book Justice by Michael Sandel.
YouTube Video: "Dirty Pretty Things | 'Happiness' (HD) - Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sergi Lopez | MIRAMAX".