...In any type of moral class, the topic of ethics is always a topic of choice early on in the semester because it is the back bone of most discussions. In the lecture regarding utilitarianism, we spoke about life boat ethics and how essentially, humans, want to chose the outcome with the greatest good for the greatest number of subjects. This example of life boat ethics, or utilitarianism, is a more sophisticated form of hedonism, but it shows that the term hedonism relates to simply the positive or negative outcomes. On a more higher level scale, Bentham states that value hedonism is, “only states of pleasure have positive intrinsic value and only states of pain have intrinsic negative value; anything else of value is mere extrinsic value”...
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...child, he seems small and malnourished. The child says that he has not eaten for two days. You are a little skeptical of the situation and ask where his parents are and he says, that they are homeless and that are living in a field nearby. As for you, you have just enough food to make it to your next payday yourself. You know that you could survive skipping a meal during the week to give up the child, surely the child is still alive after not eating for two days. A thought enters your mind, why should I give up my food or resources to this child. It’s not your fault that he has not eaten and why should you make yourself uncomfortable by giving up a meal. You send the child on his way. Garrett Hardin an ecologist and author wrote, “Lifeboat Ethics: the Case Against Helping the Poor” for Psychology Today (1974 Sept).Hardin would have also undoubtedly sent the child on his way. Hardin would argue that it not your fault and that you would not be helping the child by giving your recourses or food to help him. On the other hand an Australian philosopher and author Peter Singer wrote, “The Singer Solution to World Poverty” for The New Times Magazine, (1999 Sept) would have certainly given up the food and more to help the child and his family. Different as it may seem both Hardin and Singer are using the same philosophy just from opposite view points. Utilitarianism is defined as promoting the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Both...
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...Personal Ethics Development Paper Ellen Crockett Ethics in Management February 10, 2013 Robert Deemer Personal Ethics Development Paper In researching for this paper I find there are many arguments of weather personal ethics can be taught or not, from what I have read they can be taught. According to Trevino and Nelson (2011) “Ethical behavior relies on more than good character” (p. 17). A person can have the best upbringing where they are provided with a moral compass which does help one to determine the right direction, as well as helping them to determine the correct direction and follow through with a decision to do what is right (Trevino and Nelson, 2011). Trevino and Nelson (2011) state “The principles, norms, and standards of conduct governing and individual or organization” ethics form the basis for determining the correct action, or moral behavior, in a particular situation (p. 17). In order for any group or organization to be a success, whether it is a community, family unit or business they need to set and agree with, ethics and rules of behavior. When anyone shares the same ethical standards builds a harmonious situation for all involved. Among our culture and other cultures there are ethical codes that are alike and are agreed upon. For example within our nation and others dishonesty is frowned upon, steeling, abusing individuals or animals in not tolerated and is believed to be unethical. When you think of what makes a person ethical in your eyes you...
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...unnecessary business challenges that may arise. In this book, he classifies six areas of character and qualities that he believes creates integrity. He posits that people with integrity have the capability to do the following: 1.) Creates and maintains trust 2.) Is able to see and face reality 3.) Works in a way that bring results 4.) Embraces negative realities and solves them 5.) Causes growth and increase 6.) Achieves transcendence and meaning in life. Having lack of knowledge and uncertainty of one particular element can definitely lead to a company’s nonperformance. The disparity in anyone who lacks the fullness of character is only bound to end in failing in three specific ways as Dr. Cloud stated, “1. Hitting a performance ceiling that is much lower than one’s aptitude 2. Hitting an obstacle or situation that derails you 3. Reaching great success only to self-destruct and lose it all” (pg. 38). Dr. Cloud emphasizes as we move throughout the waters of life, leave behind a wake, like that left by boats as they pass through the ocean. He mentioned two parts of wakes, the tasks we have completed and the relationships we have built. Most leaders in this era don’t take SWOT very seriously; they usually capitalize on their strengths while simply disregarding their weakness....
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...to the case - argues that Geragos violated a key ethic rules forbidding communication with jurors. According to Thompson, Geragos did so by putting a replica of Scott Peterson's boat two blocks from the courthouse. Geragos, who remains under a under a gag order preventing him from discussing the case with the media, has not been able to respond to the allegations. Thompson says that Geragos's alleged boat display not only broke the California ethics rule barring juror communication, but also broke the California ethics rule against extrajudicial communications about a case. (As a recent column by Jonna Spilbor for this site noted, the penalty phase of this case - in which a death sentence could be imposed - has yet to occur.) Reportedly, the boat contained homemade concrete anchors - such as those the prosecution alleged Scott used to weigh down Laci Peterson's body - and a dummy representing the body. The defense's theory was that Scott could not have thrown Laci's heavily pregnant body over the side of the tiny, anchor-filled boat without swamping the boat with water and tipping it over. The display was apparently intended to illustrate just how tippable and tiny the boat actually was. During the trial, the judge had refused to allow the defense to mount a similar display for jurors - a display that was intended to prove that very theory. According to Thompson, however, Geragos circumvented that ruling by placing the boat near the courthouse. By doing so, Thompson argues...
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...PSE 402 Leadership and Ethics By Craig Tomlinson 2 C.F.F.T.S, Dept of National Defense 25 March, 2011 Assignment # 2 When we try to define ethical decision, we usually associate it with one’s perspective or type of decision-making that affects the situation at hand. We usually associate ethical or moral decision based on how it influences the emotional or personal well being of individual(s). Rarely do we associate ethical and moral decisions that affect the physical well being of the individual(s) or potentially the ending of ones life. This example of a C.O.B. authorizing the closing the hatch on 3 individuals challenges our type of ethical and moral decision making from several different perspectives. We will try and illustrate several different reasoning’s to how and why morally, one would decide to close the hatch knowing that it will cost three people their lives Jones’ Model of Moral Intensity is divided into 6 different categories that could potentially influence my ability in making a moral decision. 1) Magnitude of Consequences: The sum of the harms (benefits) done to victims (or beneficiaries) of the moral act in question. 2) Social Consensus: The degree of social agreement that a proposed act is evil or good. 3) Probability of Effect: The probability that the act in question will actually take place and the act in question will actually cause the harm or benefit predicted. 4) Temporal Immediacy: The length of time between the present...
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...Ship Wreck Ethics Life is all about the challenges you face and the choices you make. There are many situations where tough decisions need to be made and you must decide what is right, what is wrong, what is ethically sound, what is moral, or unmoral. But how does a person decide what is the “right” or “ethical” thing to do; especially when considering topics such as abortion, euthanasia, animal rights, or, in this case, the ship wreck. A brief synopsis of the situation; a ship wrecked in a remote area with no chance of help arriving soon. There are a 100 people in the water and 75 people in the only lifeboat available, which is meant to hold 50 people. There are men, women, and children, and a mix of old, young, rich, and poor. The 100 people in the water will drown if you do not put them in the boat and the boat will eventually sink because there are too many people in it. You are voted to be the leader based on your courage, intelligence, and experience with ethics and you must decide what to do, if you don’t, no one else will. How does an individual decide whom gets to stay in the boat, basically, who gets to live or die? To help make a decision on controversial issues, such as this one, there are many theories and standpoints to consider. A few of the theories and strategies that are going to be discussed are: Egoism, The Divine Command Theory, Utilitarianism, Kantian Ethics, and Natural Law. The main thesis of psychological egoism is that people either always act in...
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...girl named Aurora lived on the bank of this river, and on the opposite bank lived Greg. Aurora and Greg were much in love with each other, and wanted very much to see each other. But there was one slight complication: No boat, and an alligator-filled river stood between them. Aurora decided to seek help so that she could see her friend Greg. So she approached Bong, who owned a boat. Now this was very fortunate for Aurora, because Bong’s boat was what exactly she needed to get across the river. She explained her situation to Bong, who then replied: “Sure you can borrow my boat, but only under one condition. The condition is that you sleep with me tonight. Now this startled Aurora, because she didn’t want to sleep with Bong. She just wanted to borrow his boat so she could see Greg. After Aurora had told Bong “Nothing doing”, she wandered down the road until she came upon Henry. Aurora explained her predicament (her desire to see Greg and Bong’s response) to Henry. He replied: “That’s not my concern I’ve got other things to do. Leave me alone”. A despondent Aurora, her options exhausted, finally decided to go back to Bong. She slept with him that night. The next morning, Bong, true to his word, loaned his boat to Aurora. Aurora sailed across the river and saw her beloved Greg. After spending a few delightful hours together, Aurora felt compelled to tell Greg what has happened. After she had related her whole story...
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...“It represented the last word in luxury ocean liners.” Built to accommodate millionaires, the Titanic was the world’s largest ship and illustrated its superlative maritime technology. In addition to being fast, the ship was considered to be invincible. But, why and how did the Titanic ultimately sink on its first and last expedition? Neither the design nor the structure of the Titanic was accountable for the Titanic’s unforeseen demise. Rather the main reason was a lack of understanding of the limitations of technology on the part of those who should have known better. Radio had been invented in 1901. Titanic was equipped with Marconi's (Inventor of radio telegraph system) new wireless telegraph system and her two Marconi operators kept the wireless room running 24 hours a day. The telegraph system was vital to the Titanic’s communication success. Without it the ship probably wouldn’t have set sail to begin with as the telegraphs linked three vital areas of the Titanic: Station 1: The Captain’s Bridge, Station 2: The Starting Platform, Station 3: The After Docking Bridge. Both the Captain’s Bridge and the After Docking Bridge were responsible for the ships maneuvering, docking/steering. The Captain’s Bridge was responsible for the emergency and main engine. The construction of the Titanic would have been possible without the telegraph system but would have been almost impossible to actually set sail with any kind of efficiency. The Titanic being built with some of the advanced...
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...Ethics Objectives: 1. What are ethics? 2. What ethical theories and frameworks can impact our analysis of ethical behavior examples to demonstrate these frameworks you are already learning 3. Professional ethics “Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public in the performance of their professional duties.” ASCE Code of Ethics 1. What are ethics? Ethics: a set of values or group of moral principles that are right and good a code or principles of behavior or conduct governing an individual or group Engineering Ethics: activity or discipline aimed at understanding the moral values that should guide engineering practice (only since late 1970s has systematic attention to ethics been devoted by engineers and others, as spurred by a national engineering ethics project sponsored by the U.S. Government (NSF, NEH) in 1978-1980) Why study ethics? to increase your ability as engineers to responsibly confront moral issues raised by technological activity not always in short term best interest, and bring long-term into decision making ethics are imprecise, complex, and in a given situation may conflict vague = which moral considerations to apply to a situation and in what “hierarchy” conflicting moral reasons are common, resulting in a moral dilemma disagreement over how to interpret, apply, and balance moral reasons in particular situations Illustrative “Thinking” Exercise You and your best friend graduate...
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...Although the four characters on the boat worked as a team to survive, the character most responsible for the ending is the oiler because he is hardworking, realistic, and loyal. To begin with, the oiler, sometimes referred to as Billie, demonstrates the ability and willingness to work hard. Even before the steamer sunk, the narrator reveals that the oiler "had worked double-watch in the engine-room"(363), proving the oiler a dedicated worker. The oiler helps the correspondent row the boat, not complaining when it is his turn to take up this tiring labor. He rows on even after "overpowering sleep blinded him"(369). Without his work ethic, the survivors may not have been able to keep their boat afloat. Second, the oiler is realistic about the men's chances of survival. He never loses sight of the difficulties the crew will have to face. While the correspondent and the cook are arguing about the difference between a life-saving station and a house of refuge, the oiler points out that they are "not there yet, anyhow"(360). His realistic interpretation of the situation does not provide false hope, but rather paints his companions a more accurate picture of the workload ahead of them. At one point, the captain tries to reassure the men that they will "get ashore all right"(361), but the men are not convinced due to the tone in his voice. The oiler is the first one to add to the captain's comment with a realistic sense of optimism that they will make it "if this wind holds!"(361). Lastly...
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...000 people. This paper identifies social and political problems relating to asylum seekers and refugees. It examines the biblical teaching on a responsible Christian approach to asylum seekers and refugees, and discusses some of the ways in which Australian Baptists have responded to the challenges of immigration and asylum seekers. It concludes with a new policy proposal for the consideration of Australian Baptist Ministries, the various State and Territory Baptist Unions, and local churches. There is also a guide to further information. The situation facing Australia today Immigration policy is one of the two most bitterly contested issues in Australian politics, and has been for more than ten years. People who seek asylum by boat, and various policy instruments designed to deter both asylum seekers and people smugglers, have been at the heart of an increasingly contentious public and political discussion in Australia for more than a decade. The debate has polarised large sections of the Australian community and prevented many politicians from engaging in a constructive policy dialogue. With little to differentiate their product, especially on economic and employment issues, the two major political parties have resorted to defining their voter appeal on the basis of pragmatic and regressive policies with respect to asylum seekers. It is the poor and vulnerable who stand to lose most from this. In addition, there is an extraordinary volume of misinformation and...
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...Mirella Villa Professor Potratz English 100 10/2/2013 Sinking Lifeboat Garrett Hardin was an American Ecologist who wrote the article “Lifeboat Ethics” in Psychology Today in 1974. Garrett Hardin is a neoconservative with a Doctorate in Biology from Stanford University and has written about how human life is sustained on our planet. By using metaphors, statistics, and cause and effect, Hardin attempts to sway the audience opinion on the world food bank but fails to do so. Hardin uses metaphors such as a lifeboat and a spaceship to represent the U.S. and planet earth. A lifeboat can only hold so many people and before it exceeds the capacity and a spaceship does not exclude anyone but limits the resources for everybody. In the lifeboat are many of the rich nations such as the U.S. and the United Nations and outside in the water are many of the poor countries like Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Pakistan. Since the U.S. is considered one of the rich nations they are considered the rich passengers among the boat which will be able to stay, the poorer countries will remain outside and only allowed if there is any room in the lifeboat. If the boat has enough space for fifty passengers then only fifty passengers will be allowed but if our “conscience stricken” side comes out then we possibly may allow more passengers. Suppose we allow ten more passengers we have now lost the safety factor on the lifeboat just as if we allow the country to overpopulate then we can lose the safety...
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...begins with the crisis that World War 3 could soon be started. A Russian leader Radchenko, has gained control of a missile base and threatens to start bombing the United States of America. The USS Alabama is armed with nuclear missiles and sets out to stop this attack. As the submarine travels toward Russia many ethical dilemmas unfold. The overall dilemma of the Crimson Tide is that the Alabama receives an Emergency Action Message, ordering the launch of its missiles. Intel from satellites show that the Russian missiles are being fueled for deployment. The boat begins the process to launch ten missiles. During this time a second radio message begins to be received, but is cut off by the attack of a Russian...
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...Ethics Midterm Tia Chrzanowski While Aristotle takes a virtuous approach to most subjects by saying there is a “mean” to all extremes he feels that evil has no mean. All acts of evil are bad in every way. If I saw my best friends husband cheating on her I would absolutely tell her. While he admits that not every action nor every passion has a mean, some have names that already imply badness, these are bad and never right. I agree, adultery is adultery there is no right time or right circumstance that this would be ok. If this was the first time they had ever kissed or the one hundredth time it’s wrong. It can never be seen as being ok, cheating is seen as an extreme. If he felt the need to cheat he should go to her and maybe they need to separate or try and talk it out. Using Mill’s Utilitarian approach I would not tell my best friend I saw her husband cheating on her. Under Mill’s theory I would need my actions to promote happiness as happiness is the absence of pain. It would be painful for me to tell her as I would be hurting her, listening to her cry and wonder what may have happened. I would be causing pain to everyone involved. Morally the right thing would be to tell her what I witnessed but for the “Good” of everyone involved I would not be able too. It could possible break up their family and cause more turmoil. Hobbes theory of ethical egoism is based on self-interest. We should do what’s best for us at all times. If I’m on a sinking boat with 29 other...
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