Tag: Utilitarianism

Kantian Deontology, Utilitarianism, Nozick’s theory, virtue ethics

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Choose 5 of the included case studies, and analyze all 5 using one of the following ethical theories: Kantian Deontology, Utilitarianism, Nozick’s theory, virtue ethics, Rawls’ theory, or Marxism.

Provide a paragraph that accurately describes the theory you will be using.
Describe the case study before you apply the theory.
Provide a conclusion.

Avoid using phrases like: “In my opinion,” “I believe,” “Ethics is difficult and not certain, so it is hard to tell if this ethical theory is right or not,” since these ethical arguments undermine ethics as a discipline. Present these opinions and feelings as statements of fact.

Utilitarianism

Posted on | by Brian Leakey

The principle of utility involves maximizing happiness as a desirable outcome of decisions. Although it does not get directly said, there is an inverse intention to minimize the undesirable outcome of disaster. Utilitarian decisions are directed toward outcomes—that is, the consequences of decisions.

We need to look at results. We first look at the actual results of an action. We judge if it was the best possible result. We can judge the actual results in comparison to other results that reasonably could be said to have been possible.

If we do not yet have the actual results of an action, we do not know if it is moral or not. We can talk hypothetically about what might happen, and then what that would show about the morality of an action. However, if we do not know what the action had as its consequences, we cannot yet say if it is moral or not.

For the initial post of this week’s discussion respond to one of the following options, and label the beginning of your post indicating either Option 1, Option 2, or Option 3:

Option 1: You are a nurse on a floor with only elderly patients. Every day, each patient tells you about how much pain they are in and asks you to help them. They want you to inject them with something to end their lives. If the patients die, the beds on that floor would be freed up for other patients. The hospital is at 100 percent capacity. There is no other hospital for 30 miles. Other patients may be not receiving care due to a lack of free beds. What is the moral thing to do here? Why is that the moral thing to do? What would an utilitarian say is the moral thing to do? Why would they say that? Compare and contrast the utilitarian approach with that of an ethical egoist or social contact theorist

Option 2: A new social media app is offering itself to you for free. If you upload a picture to it, the app will show how you will look at 10 years. John Doe, a friend of yours, says not to use the app as it will then possess your biometric facial data. Jane Doe, another friend of yours, says that she heard the app shares the facial data with a security firm that helps the government detect terrorists at airports. Should you use this app? Why or why not? If John Doe is right, would an utilitarian say it is right to use the app? Why or why not? If Jane Doe is right, would a social contract theorists say it is right to use the app? Consider the role the Fourth Amendment at play here.

Option 3: You are a nursing student at the XYZ College. It has a 50 percent acceptance rate (half the applicants do not get in). XYZ is a public college. XYZ has decided to implement an affirmative action policy. The college has few students over the age of 50. To encourage more students of that age, every student 50 or older will receive a bonus point. A student’s admission is dependent on having 11 points. One earns points for a GPA above a certain score, ACT/SAT score above a certain number, having a letter of recommendation, etc. XYZ also lacks LGBT students, Muslim, and African-American students and is considering offering a bonus point for any student fitting those categories. What is the key moral conflict for XYZ? What social values should XYZ promote here? What diverse populations are involved here, and what are their interests? Do you think XYZ’s social action is the correct solution to lack of diversity? Why or why not? Factor the ethics of egoism and utilitarianism into your answer.

Utilitarianism, Kantian Deontology, Virtue Theory

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Choose two of the three ethical theories that we have engaged with (Utilitarianism, Kantian Deontology, Virtue Theory). Which of the two that you have
chosen is most philosophically and morally persuasive? Provide at least three philosophical reasons that your preferred theory is the stronger of the two.
Detail at least one philosophical flaw in the theory that you are rejecting. Include an example (either real-world or hypothetical) to support your position and
analyze it thoroughly. Quote and cite Sandel at least twice in the paper.
This term paper should respond to one of several optional multi-part prompts provided on Moodle on the date noted in the schedule. The student is expected
to discuss at least two philosophical perspectives or approaches in the paper and make an argument for the superiority of one over the other. The student is
expected to critique the positions discussed insightfully, articulately, and coherently. Students should make a well-reasoned argument for one perspective or
position over the other.

 

 

Utilitarianism

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Review this short video on utilitarianism as well as the background readings:
Then & Now. (2017, May 30). Utilitarianism – John Stuart Mill [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Dr9954kaFBs
Once you have a firm understanding of utilitarian ethics, review the following scenario and address the corresponding questions:
A new virus is rapidly spreading, causing a worldwide pandemic. Millions of people have died or have been hospitalized. Low-income communities, communities of color, the elderly, and those with health conditions have been disproportionately affected. Healthcare systems are crippled in many communities. Millions of people have lost their jobs. Entire business industries are devastated and/or sent into disarray as a result of the pandemic.

A vaccine was recently developed which proves highly effective in preventing the spread of the virus. Government officials are strongly encouraging people to take the vaccine, and many other organizations are even mandating a vaccine. Many people are skeptical of the long-term effects of the vaccine and/or feel pressure from the government, individuals, and other entities to receive the vaccine. Although data exists that supports the need for a vaccine in response to the damage being caused by the virus, a sizeable part of the population believe the numbers to be inflated; that people are overreacting; and that their personal rights are being infringed upon.

You are a leader in your organization, and you have a responsibility to turn profits and achieve organizational outcomes in addition to acting responsibly to protect your colleagues, employees, and external stakeholders, and maintain the health of your organization. You need to make a decision on how, or whether, you should implement a vaccine policy at your organization. As a leader, you need to consider the demographics, backgrounds, and beliefs that make up the internal and external stakeholders of your organization, and make a decision that is in the best interest for all internal and external stakeholders within your organization.

Complete an essay that addresses the following:

Describe and explain the key principles of utilitarian ethics, including ideas like higher-ordered pleasures and pains, act and rule utilitarianism, etc.. What is the role of utilitarian ethics in contemporary business?
Describe and explain the key principles of stakeholder management theory. What is the role of stakeholder management theory in contemporary business?
Explain how, or whether, managers/business leaders should implement a vaccination policy in response to the pandemic. Explain how your position positively and negatively affects those of different demographics (e.g., race, religion, sex, politics, age, ability, culture, values, etc.). Provide in-text citations from objective resources to support your approach.
How does your position positively and negatively affect individuals and certain groups of employees within the organization? Provide in-text citations from objective resources to support your approach.
How does your position positively and negatively affect the organization as a whole? Provide in-text citations from objective resources to support your approach.
How does your position positively and negatively affect the external stakeholders of the organization? Provide in-text citations from objective resources to support your approach.

Take some time to review the materials and take a position on the issue. Write a 3- to 5-page assessment of the situation.

Utilitarianism

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Evaluate Utilitarianism in terms of what you think is right (if anything) about it and what you think is wrong (if anything) about it.

Evaluate the theory of Categorical Imperative in terms of what you think is right (if anything) about it and what you think is wrong (if anything) about it.

Conclude by describing how either, both, or neither fits into your personal life.

 

Utilitarianism

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Choose a contemporary moral issue in our society and apply the ethical principle of Utilitarianism to approve this moral issue. You must pick a moral issue that you strongly support and apply the utilitarian claims to back up your arguments. *You must apply the Four major points of Utilitarianism, apply Bentham’s Felicific Calculus 9 and apply the utilitarian claims.

List of Contemporary Moral Issues (choose one)
• Euthanasia • Gun Control • Infanticide • Child Labor • Gay Marriage • Capital Punishment • Stem Cells • Genocide • War, Terrorism, and Counterterrorism • Race and Ethnicity • Gender • Transgender using Public Bathrooms • World Hunger and Poverty • Environmental Ethics • Animal Rights • Animal Testing • Sexual Harassment • Abortion (as a result of rape, incest, or mother/baby health at risk) • Drug Legalization • Media/Entertainment • Voluntary Prostitution • Forced Prostitution • Health Care Costs • Education Cost