An ethical question

[Darth Wong]

When one of the two parties chooses life, and the other chooses death, life wins.

[Andrew J.]

This guy sounds like a total psycho. You should report him at once, or else he'll probably try to kill you in your sleep.

[The Dark]

A 'friend' of mine studying medicine has an attitude which I find questionable. He believes that doctors should be able to do 'whatever it takes' to cure a patient, even if the patient has not consent or has refused consent. <snip>

Sounds like he needs a medical ethics course. If he already took one, it didn't take on him, and he needs a heavy refresher course. Or he just needs to be kicked out because he's an ethically irresponsible medical (future) practitioner who will drive up everyone else's malpractice insurance.

(1) Am I right in thinking his view on curing patients with methods against their wishes is morally wrong?

Against their wishes, yes. If they have not expressed a concern either way (brought in unconscious and bleeding to death, has blood transfusion, turns out to be JW), that is moral, since the intention was right, and not all circumstances were known (and could not be waited for). Basically, the means justify the ends.

(2)Assuming (1) is true, what would be some good aruments to use to convince him?

"First do no harm". While he may think he's helping, hypnotic programming can cause psychological damage within patients. Kreskin has demonstrated how easy it is to make hypnotized subjects feel paralyzing terror, and it would not be impossible for nlp to cause such phobias to manifest.

(3)What action should I take given his attempted use of nlp/hypnotism on people without their knowledge, for personal gain? If I am right about (1) what action should I take about that? (Remember he is studying to be a doctor (about to start 4th year medicine) and if he actually was to his nlp to work I think that he would definately cause people harm)

Refer to what I said above about medical ethics courses and going to the admin.

(4)Am I just making a mountain out of a mole hill?

No. This could be a very bad thing to let slide. No medical practitioner whose friends have doubts about their competence should be allowed to practice medicine.

[Mr Flibble]

When one of the two parties chooses life, and the other chooses death, life wins.

I couldn't have said it better.

Thanks to everyone for your advice, it is hard to make objective judgements about the actions of someone who used to be a friend. I will take all the advice on board. It is much appreciated.