Ethics and Self” Critical Thinking Project

The purpose of this project is for you to critically think about and gain insight into

yourself as a moral agent (an individual who makes moral choices). You will analyze yourself as a moral agent in the same way you analyzed the characters of Match Point as moral agents. Being more aware of your own moral reasoning will empower you to make more intelligent moral decisions.

Instructions:

Choose an ethical dilemma or problem that you CURRENTLY have and have not resolved. (i.e. Should I whistle blow at my job? Should I tell my best friend that her partner is cheating?  Should I steal office supplies from my job? Should I cheat on an exam? Should I steal to feed my family?) The more relevant and important the ethical dilemma is, the more you will get out of this assignment. 

Answer the following questions about your ethical dilemma or problem. Use the discussions about Match Point as your guide.

Your answer to each part— parts 1 – 4—must be a minimum of 125 words.

1.) Issues and Conclusions (30 points total)

What is your ethical dilemma or problem? Put it in the form of a question, making it an ethical issue question that is either prescriptive or hybrid. For instance—“Should I stop stealing legal pads from work?” Or, “Is stealing legal pads from work morally wrong?” Briefly describe the background of the ethical dilemma or problem. Make sure you explain why this is a dilemma for you.(25 points)

What are the two options (option A and option B) that could resolve the dilemma or problem? Put in the form of statement. For instance—-“I should stop stealing legal pads from work” (option A) and “I should not stop stealing legal pads from work.” (option B). Or, “Stealing legal pads from work is morally wrong.” (option A) and “Stealing legal pads from work is not morally wrong” (option B) Clearly state which is option A and which is option B. (5 points)

2.) Reasons (150 points total)

Think about your past ethical dilemmas. Which moral objectivist ethical theory studied do you seem to use and gravitate to? Choose one ethical theory. Use the information from the Reasons Ethics Activity discussion materials on the ethical theories

Take the ethical theory that you chose and apply it to your ethical dilemma/problem. How would a utilitarian, duty theorist, divine command theorist or virtue ethicist view your dilemma/problem? Would he/she choose option A or option B?

To properly apply the ethical theory you chose for your dilemma, you must do the following:

Divine Command

In your answer, you must explain the following:

1.) What is your religious tradition? (Jewish, Christian, Islamic, etc.??)

2.) What does the religious tradition state about the dilemma itself or similar dilemmas? Is there something explicitly stated in the Bible or Koran? Or, if the tradition doesn’t state anything explicitly, how would the religious tradition feel about the situation based on what it does state? Provide a URL with evidence (i.e. Bible verse/passage, quote from expert or authority, etc.) to back up your explanation (50 points)

3.) Explain why option A is or is not supported by divine command (50 points)

4.) Explain why option B is or is not supported by divine command (50 points)

Utilitarianism

In your answer, you must do the following:

1.) Define happiness/benefit: This can be defined physically, financially, politically, spiritually. etc. Choose one definition. Explain your definition (i.e. if you choose “physically,” explain what you mean by “physical happiness.” (20 points)

Note: Do not define happiness/benefit “emotionally” because one can assume that “emotional” happiness is already at the heart of the other definitions of happiness. For instance, if you define “physical happiness” in terms of good health in some specific sense, then one can assume that good health makes one emotionally happy.

2.) Identify groups/individuals affected: Name the top three groups and/or individuals who could be harmed or benefitted by a particular action. Of course, in a given situation, more than three groups or individuals might be affected, but isolate the top 3 to make things simpler. (20 points)

3.) Using your definition of happiness, explain why option A does or does not create the most happiness for your 3 affected groups or individuals (50 points)

Note: You must apply your ONE definition of happiness/benefit to ALL 3 groups/individuals affected

4.) Using your definition of happiness, explain why option B does or does not create the most happiness for your 3 affected groups or individuals. (50 points)

Note: You must apply your ONE definition of happiness/benefit to ALL 3 groups/individuals affected

5.) Give an example to illustrate any points in your answers. Provide a URL. (10 points)

Duty Theory

In your answer, you must do the following

1.) Explain whether option A does or does not treat people as an ends (honest, mutual benefit, and voluntary) in your situation (70 points)

2.) Explain whether option B does or does not treat people as an ends (honest, mutual benefit, and voluntary) in your situation (70 points)

Remember—For a person to be treated as an ends, all three elements of honesty, mutual benefit, and voluntariness must be present. If even one element is violated, then the person is being treated as a means.

3.) Give an example to illustrate any points in your answers. Provide a URL. (10 points)

Virtue Ethics

To apply virtue ethics to a dilemma, you must do the following:

1.) Think of your life as a pie with many slices that represent various aspects of your life—-social, spiritual, financial, physical, intellectual, psychological, etc. Choose ONE pie slice affected by your dilemma. (10 points)

2.) Explain how option A is or is not virtuous in that pie slice. Choose a particular mean (virtue) or excess/deficiency (vice) from the chart in the Module 4 discussion topic to support your position. (65 points)

3.) Explain how option B is or is not virtuous in that pie slice. Choose a particular mean (virtue) or excess/deficiency (vice) from the chart in the Module 4 discussion topic to support your position.(65 points)

4.) Give an example to illustrate any points in your answers. Provide a URL. (10 points)

3.) Ambiguity (60 points total)

On Maslow’s hierarchy, a moral felony will violate needs for physiological integrity and/or psychological security. On these levels, an option will harm someone  physiologically and/or psychologically

On Maslow’s hierarchy, a moral misdemeanor will violate needs for love/affection/belongingness, esteem and self-actualization. On these levels, an option will harm someone’s love, affection, belonginess, esteem and self-actualization needs

A moral felony is more harmful and more serious than a moral misdemeanor.

Are either of your options moral felonies? (Use Maslow’s hierarchy from the Ambiguity Ethics Activity discussion topic materials to help you define a moral felony) (30 points)

Are either of your options moral misdemeanors? (Use Maslow’s hierarchy from the Ambiguity Ethics Activity discussion materials to help you define a moral misdemeanor) (30 points)

4.) Values (60 points total)

Identify one core value that you hold. Use the box of common values on p. 58 of the PDF chapter to help you identify a value (though you can choose other values not in the common box) (10 points)

Does the value lead most to option A or option B? Why? (50 points)