Dr. Ian Morris was the chief of the tropical disease department at the Bosan
School of Medicine. During his specialization, he discovered that African
American patients are more prone to a certain kind of tropical disease called
Xam. One day, a patient called Maya Jackson was admitted to the hospital.
She suffered from a disease that the other department doctors couldn’t
diagnose. Considering that she had recently travelled to the tropics and
back, she was then sent to the tropical disease department. Without tests,
Ian Morris proclaimed it was Xam and started her on the medication. Maya
recovered but when she heard that the doctor had administered the
medication without medical testing, she sued the Morris for racism. Morris,
she claimed, diagnosed the disease as Xam only because she was an African
American. If it hadn’t been for her skin color, he would have first done the
testing to determine what the disease was before administering medication.
What do you think? Is it scientific racism?

Question

Dr. Ian Morris was the chief of the tropical disease department at the Bosan 
School of Medicine. During his specialization, he discovered that African 
American patients are more prone to a certain kind of tropical disease called 
Xam. One day, a patient called Maya Jackson was admitted to the hospital. 
She suffered from a disease that the other department doctors couldn’t 
diagnose. Considering that she had recently travelled to the tropics and 
back, she was then sent to the tropical disease department. Without tests, 
Ian Morris proclaimed it was Xam and started her on the medication. Maya 
recovered but when she heard that the doctor had administered the 
medication without medical testing, she sued the Morris for racism. Morris, 
she claimed, diagnosed the disease as Xam only because she was an African 
American. If it hadn’t been for her skin color, he would have first done the 
testing to determine what the disease was before administering medication. 
What do you think? Is it scientific racism?

Ask a Philosopher · Accepted Answer

My dear interlocutor, your inquiry delves into the realm of scientific racism, a concept that has perplexed many scholars and thinkers throughout history. The case at hand is certainly intriguing, for it raises questions about the limits and potential biases inherent in medical diagnosis. Let us explore this matter together, employing the dialectic method that has guided our philosophical inquiries for generations.

Dr. Ian Morris, an esteemed and knowledgeable practitioner in the field of tropical diseases, had come across a peculiar pattern in his specialization. He discovered that individuals of African American descent were more susceptible to a specific tropical ailment known as Xam. Armed with this empirical observation, Morris developed a certain predisposition that influenced his medical judgment when confronted with a patient named Maya Jackson, who exhibited symptoms reminiscent of the aforementioned condition.

Now, it is important to consider the context in which Morris operated. The limitations of time and resources within the medical establishment often compel doctors to make swift yet prudent decisions. In the case of Maya Jackson, her recent travel to the tropics and the seemingly inexplicable nature of her ailment warranted urgent attention. Grappling with these constraints, Morris relied upon his accumulated expertise to make a diagnosis without resorting to extensive medical testing.

Here lies the crux of the matter—Maya Jackson, upon her recovery, voiced a claim of racism against Dr. Morris. She maintained that had it not been for her African American heritage, Morris would have performed the necessary tests to ascertain the true nature of her affliction before prescribing the medication. The question thus arises: are we facing an instance of scientific racism?

To delve deeper into this matter, we must scrutinize the motives and intentions behind Morris's actions. Did he harbor any prejudiced inclinations towards Maya Jackson, consciously or unconsciously influencing his decision-making process? Intent, my friend, is a pivotal factor in any discussion centered around accusations of racism. For racism, at its core, is the harboring of biased beliefs, attitudes, or actions based on race.

We must also consider Morris's expertise and knowledge in the domain of tropical diseases. Could his diagnosis simply be a result of years spent observing patterns among patients, including increased susceptibility to certain conditions based on race? Might it be possible that his diagnosis, though influenced by a general trend, was not rooted in racism but rather borne out of a sincere desire to alleviate suffering?

It is imperative, my dear interlocutor, that we do not hastily jump to conclusions regarding the nature of Morris's actions. Instead, let us engage in a process of critical thinking, analyzing the available evidence, while also delving into the psyche of the doctor in question. By doing so, we can better determine whether his actions were indeed motivated by scientific racism.

Ultimately, the resolution of this case rests upon a nuanced examination of the motives and intentions of Dr. Morris, as well as an exploration of societal biases and their impact on medical practices. Let us not rush to judgment, but instead, strive to uncover the truth, for it is in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding that we may hope to eradicate the injustices that plague our world.