...true moral dilemma because it is applicable to 3 out of 5 tests: the legal test, the professional standards test, the gut feeling test, the front-page test, the role-mode test. According to the professional standards test, I should report the knob. According to the gut feeling test and role model test, I should not report him...
Words: 765 - Pages: 4
...The Moral Dilemma – Euthanasia I have chosen to evaluate the Terri Schiavo ‘right to die’ case. This case dealt with the decision whether or not to remove her life support (feeding tube). In Terri’s situation she was in a persistent vegetative state (PVS). Therefore, Terri could not make the decision to remove her feeding tube for herself. The decision, therefore, was left to her husband who decided it would be best to remove her life support (feeding tube) which was opposed by her parents. Thus, the moral dilemma to evaluate, should human beings have the choice to die (right to die)? Moreover, should others have the right to make the decision for you? In this case, the type of euthanasia in practice is non-voluntary. Her particular case involved a combination of euthanasia types, meaning, nonvoluntary and passive with no extraordinary measures. Nonvoluntary because Terri could not make the decision for herself and passive because the removal of her feeding tube would eventually allow her to die. Lastly, with no extraordinary means, meaning, no additional measures or treatments applied to her condition that has no way of helping her state. Therefore, the burden of her situation outweighs any benefit (Mackinnon & Fiala, 2015). To evaluate this ‘right to die’ issue, we must consider the consequentialist and nonconsequentialist considerations. ‘Rule utilitarianism (RU) is the primary factor since ‘act’ utilitarianism (AU) would not work as a consideration in this case...
Words: 773 - Pages: 4
...One of the most difficult trials I face in my life are ethical and moral dilemmas. They can be soul-wrenching and searching experiences that tax my character and cause me to really "put my money where my mouth is." Sometimes I'm quick to see ethical faults in others, but slow to see them in myself. Other times I see all to clearly my mistakes and wonder why I don't measure up. I believe one purpose for this life is to learn to act for ourselves. Learn to see a situation correctly and act righteously. In this paper I wish to discuss many of the thoughts I have had recently on setting a pattern for making ethical decisions throughout my life. I will present many of the traps I have fallen into or observed in others. Everyday I'm faced with decisions of right and wrong, most of which are easily and correctly dealt with. Sometimes however, decisions need to be made that are not easy or clear-cut. They require thought and often prayer. I like to draw on past experience to make comparisons that help give insight to new problems. Many times, however past experiences cannot be related to present problems and can confuse and obscure possibilities. Even the opinions or actions of friends faced with similar dilemmas may not be helpful. Often you feel pressured by piers that say, "it's no big deal", or "you'll understand later". It's important that I understand why a particular action or resolution is correct or incorrect. If I can't or don't it's difficult to feel I've been honest with...
Words: 282 - Pages: 2
...Euthanasia: A Moral Dilemma The word euthanasia is derived from two Greek words, “eu” which means “good” and “thanatos” which means “death,” thus, you have the translation “good death.” For many, when faced with a terminal disease or injury, it is all they truly want. That is, the ability to choose the right to die, in lieu of, a slow and painful death. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Euthanasia as, “The act or practice of killing hopelessly sick or injured individuals in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy,” and also, “The act of or practice of allowing a hopelessly sick or injured patient to die by taking less than complete medical measures to prolong life – mercy killing.” In those two separate definitions, you have the words that define the difference between active and passive euthanasia. “The act or practice of killing…” is what is termed as active euthanasia, in that it involves a person physically “doing” something to bring about the death of an individual. Whereas, “the act or practice of allowing…” is considered passive euthanasia, in that it allows a person to die. Normally, this entails the withholding or withdrawal of necessary medical equipment or medicine. Historically, both methods have evoked great emotional turmoil throughout society. Why? Because, it puts into dispute moral, cultural, social, and religious values that individual’s hold regarding their right to live, aswell as their right to die. Furthermore, individuals want to be able...
Words: 3345 - Pages: 14
...The Louisiana Purchase posed several significant moral dilemmas for President Thomas Jefferson; among these were his republican ideals, the unconstitutionality of the acquisition of foreign land, and the nation’s growth and economic prosperity. Thomas Jefferson challenged his own political ideology with the purchase of the Louisiana territory. This was an internal moral dilemma that Jefferson would have to sacrifice for the advancement of the young country. Thomas Jefferson was a republicans republican; he was a true antifederalist to the bone who was a strict interpreter of the United States Constitution. What really ripped him in two was that he was about to regurgitate the same argument Alexander Hamilton used to justify the establishment...
Words: 941 - Pages: 4
...Lincoln’s Political and Moral Slavery Dilemma The sixteenth President of the United States of America, the Great Emancipator, Abraham Lincoln casts quite a historical shadow over any other competing figure. Lincoln was brought into the world on February 12th, 1809 to an incredibly modest upbringing in which he would mold himself into a successful lawyer and later a politician. Abraham received little formal education during his childhood, eventually acquainting himself with the law through the apprenticeship system. After rising through the Illinois legislature structure, Lincoln went on to serve in the House of Representatives on behalf of the state of Illinois before gaining widespread recognition from his debates with competing Senate candidate Stephen A. Douglas in 1858.The expansion of slavery into the United States new territories was the hotly contested issue of these debates, Lincoln’s stance would eventually propel him into the national spotlight and later the Presidency. Abraham Lincoln’s views on slavery were split between his political obligations and his moral beliefs, his political actions were influenced by his desire to preserve the Union, and his moral stance on the issue largely stemmed from his deep-seeded belief in the power of the Constitution, not the political or social equality of another race. Abraham Lincoln’s view on slavery was segregated in itself, between how he perceived the issue on a political level and as a moral dilemma facing the United States...
Words: 1471 - Pages: 6
...Teen Pregnancy and Catholic Social Teaching: A Social and Moral Dilemma Imagine being in a multi-dimensional crisis of utmost magnitude. You are 16 and you are pregnant. You have disgraced your family, been physically abandoned by the father of the child, and you lost your faith in God. Who do you turn to for help? Is it even worth the fight? You lie there with nothing but blackness and wait for a glimmer of hope… Although early pregnancy and childbearing is an issue of concern, Catholic social teaching can offer that glimmer of hope in a number of ways. Some of the teachings that can help combat some of the ills of teen pregnancy include promotion of human dignity, option for the poor and vulnerable, faith in the common good, active participation in society, and whole contribution in the rights and responsibilities. The Child Saving Institute is a direct charitable group that is working to support this population, largely through these values. According to Ventura, “Experts estimate that about 760,000 teenagers become pregnant every year.” In addition, “Those experts estimate that only about one percent consider adoption” (as cited in Windley-Daoust, 2008, p. 136). While being a public health, social and moral dilemma, it has been a rising epidemic that has consumed our nation and captured media attention. What many people fail to recognize is that the aftermath of a teenage pregnancy goes far beyond the birth of the child. According to Checkland and Wong (2000), “Not only...
Words: 2328 - Pages: 10
...Name: Institution: Subject: Date: Moral Dilemma: Is it in Order to Breach an Ethical Standard to benevolently Offer Altruistic Support to the Destitute? Introduction The social diversity that is evident in the society pose great challenges to peaceful coexistence and harmony. Humans are varied both in nature and their actions and activities. In many instances, people have been faced with myriad moral/ethical dilemma concerning what actions to take in order to serve two conflicting interests. It is inarguable that the social order and stability is set and maintained by both the written and the unwritten laws as well ethical/moral code of conducts. Courses of actions and conduct amongst humans are set and overseen by these standards (Daly, Debra and Sandra, p.100). The fact is that, every society that seeks to maintain harmony and create an enabling environment has to be safeguarded by social rules and ethical standards. In the professional arena, ethical standards are no stranger. In different professional fields, workers are expected strictly to observe the rules and regulations that have been set by an organization so as to deliver best performances. However, there are instances when the organizational ethical code of conducts skirmish with the social moral standards and an individual may be torn in between fulfilling the moral obligation or staying loyalty to the company they work for. The question that arises therefore is whether it is proper...
Words: 987 - Pages: 4
...Ethical Worksheet Sample Incident Review |What is the ethical issue or problem? Identify the issue succinctly. | |The moral agent is a criminal defense attorney. The attorney knows of another criminal defense attorney who is an alcoholic and | |ignores his client obligations. What should the moral agent do? | |What are the most important facts? Which facts have the most bearing on the ethical decision presented? Include any important | |potential economic, social, or political pressures, and exclude inconsequential facts. | |The attorney often appears in court intoxicated. He ignores his cases and does not file appropriate motions before deadlines | |expire. His clients, who are court-appointed, usually end up with convictions and heavy sentences due to his incompetence. In | |trial, he is unprepared and unprofessional. Defendants have complained. Defense attorneys, prosecutors, and judges are aware of his| |incompetence and have done nothing. The attorney’s disbarment would likely cause drastic economic consequences for the attorney. If| |the moral agent is responsible for his disbarment, the moral agent may face the social stigma and pressure of being labeled a | |snitch. With emphasis on stiffer penalties for defendants, there is political pressure to ignore the situation...
Words: 1433 - Pages: 6
...more pragmatic approach. They review research designed to evaluate Kohlberg’s model, describe how they revised the model to accommodate discrepant findings, and explain why they concluded that it is poorly equipped to account for the ways in which people make moral decisions in their everyday lives. The authors outline in 11 propositions a framework for a new approach that is more attentive to the purposes that people use morality to achieve. People make moral judgments and engage in moral behaviors to induce themselves and others to uphold systems of cooperative exchange that help them achieve their goals and advance their interests. Keywords: moral development, cognitive development, cooperation, moral judgment After two decades of research on Kohlberg’s (1984) cognitive– developmental model of morality, we abandoned it in favor of a more pragmatic approach. In this article, we explain why. We identify problems with Kohlberg’s model, describe revisions aimed at solving them, and offer reasons why a new approach is necessary. We end with a new beginning, introducing a more pragmatic approach in a set of propositions that, we argue, is better equipped than Kohlberg’s model to account for the ways in which people make moral decisions in their everyday lives. This approach rests on the assumption that individuals invoke a variety of affectively and cognitively-based strategies to pursue goals and advance their...
Words: 20773 - Pages: 84
...ECOCENTRISM AND ANTHROPOCENTRISM: MORAL REASONING ABOUT ECOLOGICAL COMMONS DILEMMAS KATHERINE V. KORTENKAMP AND COLLEEN F. MOORE University of WisconsinMadison Abstract When do humans extend their ethical scope to include nature? Anthropocentrism and ecocentrism are two ways of understanding an extension of ethics to nature. In an anthropocentric ethic nature deserves moral consideration because how nature is treated a¡ects humans. In an ecocentric ethic nature deserves moral consideration because nature has intrinsic value. In two experiments participants (n=91 and 84) generated moral reasoning responses to ecological moral dilemmas. The reasoning was coded as ecocentric, anthropocentric, or nonenvironmental (i.e., social contracts, truthfulness). Individual di¡erences and situational variables were examined in relation to moral reasoning about ecological dilemmas. Pro-environmental attitudes were related to more ecocentrica nd anthropocentrica nd less nonenvironmental reasoning. The presence of information about the impact of ecological damage on the environment, especially a more ‘‘wild’’ environment, elicited more ecocentric reasoning, while the presence of a social commitment elicited more nonenvironmental moral reasoning. The implications of the research for con£icts over environmental commons dilemmas are discussed. # 2001 Academic Press Ecocentrism and Anthropocentrism: Moral Reasoning about Ecological Dilemmas There is as yet no ethicd ealing with...
Words: 8444 - Pages: 34
...developing a string of moral dilemmas that prevail within and among the characters to explore the conflict between ones own desires and the expectations of the restricted Jacobean society. Moral dilemmas are utilized to endeavor the individual human desires and passions and what society believes to be morally correct. Weare confronted with a main moral dilemma that splits the audience between societies views and modern perspectives of Susanna. Our consideration of the main thematic concerns of truth, love and duty are vested in Susanna as she is the dominant character in the play and through her knowledge and her actions, she is able to reconcile truth in love, passion and desire. The Jacobean setting and context of The Herbal Bed creates an amplified backdrop of conflict and illness. Illness is ever present to remind us of the fragility of life but also promotes a conscious reflection upon the necessary salvation and vitality of the soul, irrespective of religious beliefs, as you may not have control over death but you do have control of your soul. This sense of internal conflict experienced by the characters only acts to demonstrate the larger dilemmas at play, namely Susanna’s key dilemma which is whether to conform to the social and moral expectations of Jacobean society and being true to herself as an individual. The society of the time is shifting into puritan beliefs and the oppressive nature of this society is very much what has caused the moral dilemmas in most of the characters...
Words: 1198 - Pages: 5
...the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, numerous scholars have articulated their viewpoints concerning the positive and negatives impacts of this reflective teaching, in addition to its influence on the moral dilemmas faced by educators. One of these people, Elizabeth Campbell, asserts her perspectives throughout her text, The Ethical Teacher, wherein she describes the relationship between ethical knowledge and moral agency, the link between moral dilemmas and ethical knowledge, and the methods of lessening moral tensions in education. Within her book, Campbell (2003) maintains that “ethical knowledge relies on teachers’ understanding and acceptance of moral agency as professional expectations implicit in all aspects of their day-to-day practice” (p. 3). These demands of moral agency are important for students’ learning and development. Consequently, it is essential to understand moral agency. Campbell (2003) declares that moral agency “relates to the exacting ethical standards the teacher as a moral person and a moral professional hold himself or herself to” and “concerns the teacher as a moral educator, model, and exemplar” for students (p. 2). Throughout the text, Campbell explains that teachers must be aware of, understand and accept those demands of moral agency. Furthermore, Campbell (2003) opposes the notion that educators’ ethics “remain embedded in the background of [their] practices,” while endorsing the idea that ethics must “be brought forward, made visible...
Words: 1930 - Pages: 8
...Student Name Introduction to Biology Instructor Name 01 January 2000 The Three Dilemmas of Chimeras Abstract. Chimeras were initially known as mythological creatures consisting of traits from multiple animals. In recent times chimeras are with the realm of scientific. Recent advancements with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) therapies have helped increase scientific understanding in a previously unnoticed phenomenon. IVF increases the likely hood of multiple blastocysts merging to become one organism. Moreover, developments in cellular research stem cell research, and cross species transplants has brought the possibility of human-nonhuman into the forefront of scientific research for which we are ill prepared. There are three dilemmas that are shaping public policy, and constraining scientific research. These dilemmas are political, ethical, and moral. As we work to answer these dilemmas, we also stumble to maintain international leadership in scientific advancement. Chimeras are an interesting realization in modern science. A chimera was initially mentioned in ancient Greek literature as a beast consisting of a lion, a goat, and a snake. (Homer & Murray, 2012) This definitely sounds like an archaic depiction of a mythological creature, but the title also has some contemporary uses. In modern biology, a Chimera is simply an organism with...
Words: 1387 - Pages: 6
...Business leaders frequently face dilemmas, circumstances where whatever course of action they choose, something of important value will be offended. How can an organisation prepare its decision makers for such situations? This article presents a pedagogical approach to dilemma training for business leaders and managers. It has evolved through ten years of experience with human resource development, where ethics has been an integral part of programs designed to help individuals to become excellent in their professional roles. The core element in our approach is The Navigation Wheel, a figure used to keep track of relevant decision factors. Feedback from participants indicates that dilemma training has helped them to recognise the ethical dimension of leadership. They respond that the tools and concepts are highly relevant in relation to the challenges that occur in the working environment they return to after leadership training. Keywords: business ethics, leadership training, dilemma Introduction The purpose of this article is to present a pedagogical approach to dilemma training for business managers and leaders. In the past ten years we have been responsible for ethical training sessions in programs designed to help individuals develop their leadership skills. We have used elements from moral philosophy in attempts to cultivate the participants’ theoretical understanding of the morally challenging situations they can encounter in their practice as managers and...
Words: 7054 - Pages: 29
