How doing good works in America : a case study of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

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Authors
Metz, Loren J.
Advisor
Agnew, Elizabeth N.
Issue Date
2008
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (B.?.)
Department
Honors College
Other Identifiers
Abstract

This project was written in order to discuss some of the moral issues that arise when individuals desire to give time and money to a philanthropic cause. I began studying these issues in an undergraduate class titled, "Love and Justice: Moral Issues in Doing Good," taught by the advisor to this project, Dr. Elizabeth Agnew, in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies. Drawing heavily on Patricia Werhane's article titled, "Focused Fairness in Philanthropy," I discuss how individuals can make educated decisions when donating their time and money so that the most "good" can be achieved. I also discuss how a large philanthropic organization like the National Multiple Sclerosis Society can address these issues as well, in order to ensure their donors that the Society is a worthy recipient.I chose the NMSS as sample philanthropy to explore these issues because of my personal ties to Multiple Sclerosis. My maternal grandmother, after whom I am named, died eleven years before my birth because of complications related to MS. My mother was diagnosed with MS herself twenty-six years ago, after the birth of my older brother. So not only does this project explore the moral issues in "doing good," but it also explores what Multiple Sclerosis is and how the NMSS came to be.As a way to do my own good, I set up a Memorial Fund through the NMSS Website to honor my late grandmother and attempt to raise some money for the cause. I sent a letter to family and friends explaining my project and asking them to join me in donating money for a cause they are all affected by, to an organization that was reliable. In addition to the letter, I provided a "Guide to Giving," which summarizes the findings of this project, explains why the NMSS is a worthy recipient of their donations, and gives examples of questions individuals could ask themselves when considering where to give in the future. These two documents, the letter and "Guide to Giving," can be found in the Appendices.