An ethical dilemma is a situation in which two or more courses of action are presented to a person who acts as an agent of change. In order to be categorized as an ethical dilemma, a choice is made between unappealing and equal courses of action (McCarthy 7). Consider the following scenario: a person on a dock with two individuals drowning in front of him/her. There are numerous ways a person may react in the above scenario. They may jump into the water and attempt a rescue of one or both of the individuals. In contrast, they may choose to remain on the dock. Which choice is the “ethical” choice? Classifying decisions as ethical or non-ethical is determinate on the person’s and/or their society’s preferred theory of ethics. Their decision
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Is there a strong rip current, a shark in the water, a sinking boat, or another misfortune? In this case, if the person or a summoned professional rescuer (i.e. life guard) jumps into the water to attempt a rescue, then their wellbeing is also at risk and may result in four casualties (the two individuals, the person/lifeguard, and the hypothetical shark/sea creature). So, a Utilitarian person would attempt to save the most number of beings by jumping into the water to save both individuals and themselves (it is unclear if the person is capable of swimming). Thus, three alive/non-drowned individuals are a good consequence. A similar result may be reached if the person calls for (perhaps professional) assistance in rescuing the two individuals.
Deontology is an Enlightenment theory developed by German philosopher, Immanuel Kant. Deontos (“duty”) is the root word of this theory. Thus, deontology is an intent-centered ethics. In other words, ethical people are obligated to do the right thing. According to Kant, right actions have corresponding universal maxims and “treats other humans as ‘ends-in-themselves’, never as a ‘mere means’” (Pence 11). Furthermore, these actions are driven by an autonomous understanding of rightness and a subsequent commitment to adhering to the right rules and …show more content…
It is characterized by a bottom up (specific facts) resolution (McCarthy 19). Moreover, similar, but simpler, cases are considered first. In regards to the aforementioned scenario, a person employing case-based reasoning, for instance, may first consider their possible course of actions in a scenario in which only one individual drowning and apply those acts via a moral reasoning tool, principle, or theory. Then, the person may consider the scenario in which two drowning individuals are present. In addition, more details are needed about the aforementioned scenario. For instance, is the person capable of swimming? Relevant details about the scenario and all parties involved aides the person in making an ethical decision. Lastly, pro and contras lists are gathered for each variation of the original scenario. A person employing case-based reasoning will select the resolution with either the greatest number of supporting theories/principles or in which violates the fewest number of
Is there a strong rip current, a shark in the water, a sinking boat, or another misfortune? In this case, if the person or a summoned professional rescuer (i.e. life guard) jumps into the water to attempt a rescue, then their wellbeing is also at risk and may result in four casualties (the two individuals, the person/lifeguard, and the hypothetical shark/sea creature). So, a Utilitarian person would attempt to save the most number of beings by jumping into the water to save both individuals and themselves (it is unclear if the person is capable of swimming). Thus, three alive/non-drowned individuals are a good consequence. A similar result may be reached if the person calls for (perhaps professional) assistance in rescuing the two individuals.
Deontology is an Enlightenment theory developed by German philosopher, Immanuel Kant. Deontos (“duty”) is the root word of this theory. Thus, deontology is an intent-centered ethics. In other words, ethical people are obligated to do the right thing. According to Kant, right actions have corresponding universal maxims and “treats other humans as ‘ends-in-themselves’, never as a ‘mere means’” (Pence 11). Furthermore, these actions are driven by an autonomous understanding of rightness and a subsequent commitment to adhering to the right rules and …show more content…
It is characterized by a bottom up (specific facts) resolution (McCarthy 19). Moreover, similar, but simpler, cases are considered first. In regards to the aforementioned scenario, a person employing case-based reasoning, for instance, may first consider their possible course of actions in a scenario in which only one individual drowning and apply those acts via a moral reasoning tool, principle, or theory. Then, the person may consider the scenario in which two drowning individuals are present. In addition, more details are needed about the aforementioned scenario. For instance, is the person capable of swimming? Relevant details about the scenario and all parties involved aides the person in making an ethical decision. Lastly, pro and contras lists are gathered for each variation of the original scenario. A person employing case-based reasoning will select the resolution with either the greatest number of supporting theories/principles or in which violates the fewest number of