LAUSR

Hallie explains that his mother dreaded a planned trip to Germany, fearing for his safety, even in 1979. He quotes a letter to her “beloved and precious child” warning him of the peril. “Innocent blood was spilled there,” she wrote. And it wouldn’t matter, “because a hand-full of Christians helped some Jews, Jewish people are happy. Not so with God...” Reflecting on those words, Hallie confesses, “I am horrified at this monster, myself” wondering “... if I had been making copy out of your feelings.” He doesn’t think so but is not totally sure: “I am almost certain that I have not been using you as a foil for my “concrete ethics...” It is classic Hallie, probing his motivations and ambivalence through narrative. As a medical ethicist, I too struggle with using cases as a foil for my concrete ethics. Yes, we have rules about confidentiality. It’s not that. Instead it’s the interplay of ethical choices and real people, like Phil Hallie and his mom.