Sinking to the bottom for a solution: Ethical Paradigms
Sometimes in life there are instances in which and individual must make a decision that will question their moral fiber. These instances could vary from whether or not to help others in need, decide whether an action is right or wrong or even when deciding who should live and who must die. How does one logically reason to an ethnical conclusion to these situations?
A coast guard helicopter is responding to two mayday calls by two different ships that are sinking in the Pacific Ocean within a mile of each other. One ship carries a middle aged man, his wife and their two children under the age of ten. The other ship contains five middle aged men. The coast guard helicopter has the capacity to hold five survivors and the helicopter is equally likely to save either ship because it is an equal distance from each incident, but it only has enough fuel to make one trip. Which ship should the coast guard rescue?
By looking further into this dilemma using various ethical standpoints allows for a broad understanding of principles and complexity in a specific situation with these paradigms. The focuses are three prominent ethical paradigms such as: teleological utilitarianism, deontological duty theories and virtue based ethics. Each of these three paradigms will be applied to the aforementioned dilemma, each will be evaluated and the best option will be revealed.
"Ethical utilitarianism can most generally be described as the principle that states that the rightness or wrongness of action is determined by the goodness and badness of their consequences." (Utilitarianism EOP 9: 603.) Following this guide line the morally right decision to make is to rescue the group with five ...
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... of their personality then that guides to making a good or moral judgment in this situation. The negativity for this ethic is that the coast guards moral fibers might not be the same compared to other coast guard or even to the people that they are rescuing. Some may say that this kind of person would save the family of four that contains the children yet some would argue to save many lives as possible.
All three ethical paradigms have great principles to apply; however, the situation can be preferably designed to fall into the duty theory because there are certain laws and obligation that can not be disobeyed. Emotions and the concern for others mustn't interfere with one's job.
This specific situation can analyzed to any extent that it allows. Theories and ethics can be applied to any problem but it goes to show that one must apply them carefully and orderly.
Throughout this paper I will examine three different ethical views and interpret the ways in which one would respond to the scenario at hand. The initial ethical view is composed of cultural relativism. Another view is Kantian ethics. The final view involves utilitarianism. When presenting these views, I will describe each ethical view, and also I will speak abouts how a person who abides by the given ethical view would respond to the situation.
moral decisions, we will be analyzing why this scenario poses a dilemma, possible actions that
In this essay I will use ethical framework such as Kantian deontology and Kantian ethical theory along with key principles to argue the reason for my decision whilst justifying my decision.
There are two different approaches to ethical decision making which may be utilized separately or sometimes cohesively. The first approach of reviewing an ethical question is from a deontological approach. A deontological approach to ethics, focuses on the individual's responsibility to factors such as justice and freedom without the regard for consequences (Cooper, 2012). A teleological approach to ethics, places the focus upon the end result and the greater good which benefits the most within the ethical situation (Cooper, 2012).
The method of ethical decision making which was developed by Dr. Cathryn A. Baird presented two components contained in all ethical decisions which are; The Four ethical Lenses and the 4+1 Decision process. The Four Ethical Lenses issue claims that different ethical theories and the means in which we tend to approach the situations which form part of our ethical traditions are looked at in four different perspectives. From each perspective there are different values on which to decide whether the action taken is either ethical or not and each lens also lays emphasis on determining whether the decision made is of ethical requirement. In the 4+1 Decision Process, people who are responsible for making final decisions in an organization do it using four specific decision making steps and eventually will end up with one extra decision which gives a chance to reflect. The 4+1 decision process allows the decision makers to give solutions when faced with complicated ethical issues (John Muir Institute for Environmental Studies, 2000).
Many ethical dilemmas are philosophical in nature, an ethical issue can be described as a problem with no clear resolution. In order to solve the issue or dilemma a consensus between the parties involved must be reached. There are several reasons to come to an agreement over an ethical dilemma, it is the basis for all aspects of personal and professional dealings. Each one of us is part of a civilized society and as such it is our responsibility to be rational, honest and loyal in our dealings with others. (Alakavuklar, 2012) states that individuals make decisions for different situations in business life involving various ethical dilemmas. Each time either consciously or unconsciously individuals may follow some ethical approaches
Keep in mind that the goal of sound ethical reasoning is not to reach the “right” solution but rather to rationally and systematically consider the ethical aspects of a case and to be clear about the basis on which the decision was made.
The ethical issues involved in the case are: categorical imperative, utilitarianism on the behalf of all aspects of the evidence presented. Categorically two people decided to do the duty of killing one person so the other three would be able to survive until rescued (IEP). The utilitarianism would be that 3 of the four had friends and family that would miss them if they would have not survived (Lee, 2000).
In this section, I will be using the first six steps of the CPA (2000) ethical decision-making model, while also integrating a few standards and guidelines from the CCPA code of ethics (1999), to solve the following ethical dilemma:
This case is a very difficult one because it’s not just involving you but it is involving the people you love dearest. You are basically being given only two choices and that is to save your family or to watch them die. This essay will discuss the different take utilitarian’s have on the decision and the outlook deontologists have
In this assignment we will be identifying an ethical dilemma an individual has experienced. We will begin with a short introduction of what an ethical dilemma is, moving on to providing brief details of the dilemma an individual has experienced. We will then go on to selecting one ethical theory, to show how it can help an individual understand and deal with the situation when placed within, followed by a conclusion.
4. Unknown. Ethics. Santa Clara University Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. 29th March 2004. http://cseserv.engr.scu.edu/NQuinn/COEN288/EngrHandbook_Ethics.pdf
Ethical dilemmas create a challenge between two or more equally alternative problems requiring moral judgment. This creates both an obligation and dilemma for those involved. Living in such a globalized world with cross-cultural borders, races, and ideas; negotiating what is considered morally “right” can sometimes be very difficult. Both religion and laws have a major impact in ethical duties. What an individual may presume as right cannot be guaranteed by the government or political party. The Overcrowded Lifeboat is just one example in which all the ideas above come to play in ethical decisions.
Every day we are confronted with questions of right and wrong. These questions can appear to be very simple (Is it always wrong to lie?), as well as very complicated (Is it ever right to go to war?). Ethics is the study of those questions and suggests various ways we might solve them. Here we will look at three traditional theories that have a long history and that provide a great deal of guidance in struggling with moral problems; we will also see that each theory has its own difficulties. Ethics can offer a great deal of insight into the issues of right and wrong; however, we will also discover that ethics generally won’t provide a simple solution on which everyone can agree (Mosser, 2013).
Everyone in this world has experienced an ethical dilemma in different situations and this may arise between one or more individuals. Ethical dilemma is a situation where people have to make complex decisions and are influenced based on personal interests, social environment or norms, and religious beliefs (“Strategic Leadership”, n.d.). Leaders and managers in the company should set guidelines to ensure employees are aware and have a better chance to solve and make ethical decisions. Employees are also responsible for understanding their ethical obligations in order to maintain a positive work environment. The purpose of this case study is to identify the dilemma and analyze different decisions to find ways on how a person should act ethically when left with an ethical dilemma.