The Dilemma of Moral Ethics

When we contemplate about ethics we typically think of that which is right versus what is wrong; however, we need to take into account what is morally correct as well. Many of us have a moral view that we opt to live by and that we utilize to predicate the majority of our decisions. Some are clearly ethical while others questionably ethical. How do we tell? We need to examine the whole picture and base our actions off of informed decisions and fact. In an example of a Mayor of a large city who is accepting gifts from those who have received several city contracts and those who might be conducting business with the City in the future? Would we consider this appropriate? In essence the Mayor is practicing what is called a conflict of interest and presenting himself as someone who is able to be bought if the price is right. The consequences for his actions could result in negative media relations as evidence of the acceptance of the gifts are leaked to the press, the embarrassment of colleagues and family at his actions, the fact that it may show that there were more qualified contractors that should have been given the work and even his potential removal from office. What good would have come from his actions? Obviously, the Mayor would have gained financial benefit in the form of the gifts. The City could potentially benefit from a regular contractor that knows the business. However, other than the Mayor directly, very few benefit. The big picture suggests that his actions have a grander negative effect. Those within the political arena are then viewed as a whole with the assumption that all politicians are accepting bribes at the expense of the people. Another ethical dilemma comes in the form of a college professor who is p... ... middle of paper ... ...t, the mother could sober up and admit herself into a rehab program, due to the child they could find the happiness and fill the emptiness they have been filling with self destructive actions thus far. These possibilities are highly remote of coming to fruition. In fact the resulting actions would not be morally fair to the child and in the eyes of the majority of the civilized world be viewed as wrong. From these examples what have we found? Is there a true right and wrong to every situation? The probability of the positive over the negative outcomes needs to be weighed. We need to stop and assess whether our actions will create a ripple effect with greater potential for negative outcome. While none of the scenarios posed present themselves as what most would consider an maleficent act, most would consider the actions as morally wrong and deem them as unethical.