Mephisto discusses conscience clauses with Faust
Mephisto : Faust, my dear boy, am I correct in thinking you were once a doctor?
Faust : Yes, dear Mephisto, I was indeed.
M : Ah, then, might I ask you a question?
F : Why, of course.
M : Did you ever refuse to carry out certain clinical duties on moral grounds?
F : Ah, dear Mephisto, I was not that kind of doctor but I do take your point of course.
M : I see. I feel that today we are very warm indeed, do you not feel the heat also?
F : Why yes, now you come to mention it, I do feel a little warm.
M : There are some doctors, you know, who refuse to carry out termination of pregnancies, they have even been known to refuse to offer advice on family planning.
F : Really? And why would they do this dear Mephisto?
M : Because they have moral objections.
F : Ah, I see. And this is legal?
M : Why yes dear colleague, it is more than legal, it is written into their contracts.
F : But, dear Mephisto, I am guessing that you are talking about the policeman refusing to guard the Israeli Embassy, surely the police are in a different position?
M : And why is that esteemed colleague?
F : Because their raison d'etre is to uphold law and order at all times.
M : And what of the racist officers who allow their feelings to become involved?
F : But surely, that is a different argument dear Mephisto.
M : I don't see why it is Faust, dear chap. Would it not have been so much better if they had asked their superiors for guidance?
F : Well, that would all depend on how racist their superiors were I suppose.
M : Indeed, dear friend, indeed. But, if I understand you correctly, you are saying that policemen and women do have feelings?
F : Why, of course they must. Mustn't they?
M : Yes, I imagine they have. But, still, irrespective of this, isn't it always better to brush certain things under the carpet whilst highlighting others?
F : I suppose that is the way it has always been dear Mephisto.
M : As it was then, so is it now?
F : In a word, yes.
M : That was eight words but I do take your point.
F : A cup of lavender tea dear Mephisto?
M : Yes, I am rather thirsty.
Faust : Yes, dear Mephisto, I was indeed.
M : Ah, then, might I ask you a question?
F : Why, of course.
M : Did you ever refuse to carry out certain clinical duties on moral grounds?
F : Ah, dear Mephisto, I was not that kind of doctor but I do take your point of course.
M : I see. I feel that today we are very warm indeed, do you not feel the heat also?
F : Why yes, now you come to mention it, I do feel a little warm.
M : There are some doctors, you know, who refuse to carry out termination of pregnancies, they have even been known to refuse to offer advice on family planning.
F : Really? And why would they do this dear Mephisto?
M : Because they have moral objections.
F : Ah, I see. And this is legal?
M : Why yes dear colleague, it is more than legal, it is written into their contracts.
F : But, dear Mephisto, I am guessing that you are talking about the policeman refusing to guard the Israeli Embassy, surely the police are in a different position?
M : And why is that esteemed colleague?
F : Because their raison d'etre is to uphold law and order at all times.
M : And what of the racist officers who allow their feelings to become involved?
F : But surely, that is a different argument dear Mephisto.
M : I don't see why it is Faust, dear chap. Would it not have been so much better if they had asked their superiors for guidance?
F : Well, that would all depend on how racist their superiors were I suppose.
M : Indeed, dear friend, indeed. But, if I understand you correctly, you are saying that policemen and women do have feelings?
F : Why, of course they must. Mustn't they?
M : Yes, I imagine they have. But, still, irrespective of this, isn't it always better to brush certain things under the carpet whilst highlighting others?
F : I suppose that is the way it has always been dear Mephisto.
M : As it was then, so is it now?
F : In a word, yes.
M : That was eight words but I do take your point.
F : A cup of lavender tea dear Mephisto?
M : Yes, I am rather thirsty.
posted by Mephisto at 3:23 AM
<< Home