Normative Ethics

People from all walks of life face many ethical dilemmas. These dilemmas have consequences. Our worldview determines how we deal with these dilemmas, and guides us to the right decisions. In this essay, I will examine an ethical issues through my Christian worldview. I will also present other viewpoints, and compare them to mine.

It is important to look at ethical dilemmas in a systematic way, thus increasing the chance of achieving a solution that gives the best possible outcome. An ethical problem solving model taken from American sources (Paradise and Siegelwaks, 1982; Austin et al., 1990) was used to develop a six-step process to follow, in order to achieve this (Bond 2010, pg. 227). This process informs this paper, and I am in the role of counsellor.

1. Even with the fact that cultural values are very important in determining a person's understanding of morality, it is only safe to assume that all people have a general system of laws that they use with the purpose of differentiating between moral acts and immoral acts. In order to determine what this difference actually is, one would need to focus on the nature of his or her acts and to the consequences that these respective activities have on others. If others are negatively affected as a result of one's behavior, the respective person is responsible for being immoral.

Personal values, beliefs, and principles are important for individuals to know about themselves. However, when asked the question, “what are your personal values, beliefs, and principles?” The first response is often a laundry list of characteristics with the assumption that those three words are synonymous. From my experience when posed this question the laundry list became long and in retrospect, I began to wonder what the differences were between each of these terms. As a teacher, employee, mother, and Christian knowing these differences and how to answer the question is an important component of determining how I make decisions when faced with ethical dilemmas. Hence, began the investigation of how the terms relate, their meaning and what my answer is to this question. Since my laundry list was quite long for this essay, I will share and explain the top two elements for each category, how they relate to one another and how the knowledge influences tough decisions.

In Ruggiero’s book, Thinking Critically about Ethical Issues, he explains that there are three basic criteria for making ethical decision and aiding in moral actions. A moral action is, “one that demonstrates respect for persons by honoring the relevant obligations and ideals and by producing favorable consequences.” (Ruggiero, 81) The three basic criteria are obligations, the moral ideals and consequences. Ruggiero believes that when making a decision, one should first understand the details. Second, one needs to understand the obligations, the moral ideal and the consequences of his or her action. We will furthermore go into each criterion

Regardless of what to use, it is important to create a compelling and reasonable approach in making ethical decisions by following on the actions necessary when applying moral analysis. It is only necessary to use all possible methods and actions to support an argument.

Many of us want to be the best version of ourselves and we strive to achieve this by doing what we believe is right. However, doing the right thing is much harder than what we think. When faced with difficult situations in life, we often find ourselves at war between choosing what we believe is right versus what the society think we should do. We all have different life perspectives, hence what’s right for us may not be right for others. When dealing with ethical dilemma, it’s important to weigh the good and the bad in order to be effective in decision-making. It’s also important to see things from other peoples’ point of view to avoid making assumptions and using unbiased judgment. These things are not easy to do, but they’re the best approach to

sound principles of morality. How can the principles of fit and a moral evaluation be

This exercise identified how individuals prioritize values when making ethical decisions. During this exercise I was able to understand my personal values in relation to the values of other associated with my decisions. I was able to understand my blind spot and how they impact others when making decisions. For example, I learned that sometimes I fail to be accountable to those who are depending on me. Also, I am satisfied with my own needs and become complacent with leaving problems unresolved in the long-term and everyone else to fend for themselves. I also run the risk of developing unrealistic role expectations. I tend to rely too much on the virtues associated with a particular role, forgetting that individuals are fallible regardless of their role. By understanding what values are most important to me and what values are most important to the other parties involved in an ethical situation, I can minimize unnecessary conflict, make better ethical decisions, and live my values with confidence and

The three main ethical theories that will be compared in this paper are: virtue, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics. Similarities and differences between each theory will be pointed out to further understand the concept as well as address ethics and morality between all three. To wrap things up, a personal experience will be shared to explain the relationship among virtue, values, and moral concepts as they relate to one of the three theories that will be outlined.

Often times we are in the middle of making a moral decision that will affect either you or me. Especially during a moral dilemmas, we are forced to response with either immediate reaction or logical thinking. Making a moral decision might be hard, and can be explained, however what is right and wrong when making a moral decision that is still a question today. This essay outlines how virtue ethics is not helpful as we hope when making a moral decision.

Our objective is not to preach, but rather to raise your consciousness of ethical issues as the basis for class discussion. Consider now several situations that require you to render an ethical decision. List the pros and cons for each scenario, and then state the ethical principle(s) that most influenced your decision.

ETHICAL DILEMMAS ARE ALSO KNOWN AS MORAL DILEMMAS WHERE A SITUATION PRESENTS ITSELF AND ONE HAS TO CHOOSE BETWEEN DIFFERENT OPTIONS, NEITHER OF WHICH RESOLVES THE SITUATION IN A VERY ACCEPTABLE ETHICAL MANNER. IN SITUATIONS WHERE ETHICAL DILEMMAS PRESENT THEMSELVES, THEY ASSUME THAT THE CHOOSER WILL ABIDE BY SOCIETAL NORMS SUCH AS RELIGIOUS TEACHINGS OR THE RULING LAW. ETHICAL DILEMMAS CAN OCCUR IN THE VARIOUS DIFFERENT SITUATIONS OF LIFE, FROM THE WORK PLACE, SCHOOL AND FAMILY TO EVEN PERSONAL FRIENDSHIPS (HUI, 2002). IN THE CASE OF A DILEMMA, ONE IS EXPECTED TO FOLLOW THE SOCIETAL NORMS THAT GOVERN PERSONAL BEHAVIOR AND RELATIONSHIPS.

My method of approaching moral dilemmas has evolved as this course has progressed. Initially, I based almost every moral decision on my personal code, a set of beliefs shaped by my experiences and upbringing. While this has remained the case, my frame of reference has expanded. Instead of relying only on my experiences and of those I agree with, this course has taught me to take every perspective into consideration. These are often just as valid as my own, and my cultural and cognizant biases should be checked before a judgement is made.

Ethics is the area of study that deals with morality and how we make decisions about how we behave as individuals and how our actions reflect our values and conduct towards one another. This class focused on two viewpoints that helped us define morality and how to apply it in new ways of thinking and reasoning when dealing with issues in our lives: consequential reasoning and non-consequential reasoning. Through an evaluation of my collected works, I will attempt to show an improvement in the areas of analytical skill building, knowledge acquisition, and practical application that are the