Explain what course of action would you take and why

Assignment Help Other Subject
Reference no: EM131349454

Assignment

What is more important? what you intend to happen or what actually happens?

Mill's Utilitarianism is based on the notion that actions in themselves have no moral value and that it is only when we see the results (i.e., the "consequences") that we can say that the action we chose was the right one, meaning that it led to an increase in happiness for the majority of people affected by a particular decision to act. In other words, the Ends (results) justify the Means (the action); and, for a Utilitarian, the intent is always to maximize happiness, but the consequences determine whether the actions and intentions were morally justifiable. For example, if a lie maximizes the happiness of everyone affected by the lie, then the lie was justifiable and the morally right thing to do.

Kant, on the other hand, says that our intentions to make moral choices are more important than the end results. For Kant, the only thing that matters is our intention to do the right thing, simply (and for no other reason) because it is the right thing to do. For example, if we intend to do the right thing by telling the truth but get bad results, we cannot be blamed for the bad results, because we did the right thing-we told the truth; but, if we do the wrong thing and lie and then get bad results, that is entirely our fault, because we chose to do the wrong thing to begin with.

As you do this assignment, keep Kant's Categorical Imperative in mind, since most of us are pretty aware of how we would not like to be treated by other people. Pick one of the following scenarios, and then answer the questions at the end.

Scenario #1:

You are a soldier in a battle zone. Your commanding officer has told your unit that you are to take a small village and that the orders are to shoot any combatants who might interfere with the mission. He says that the intel from above insists that the majority of the villagers either are or are harboring insurgent leaders. But, by accident (and unknown by your CO) you have a contact in the village who has been sharing confidential information, and your contact has indicated that the soldiers slipped out a week ago and that only women and children remain in the village. You already tried three days ago to explain what you have been learning from the unofficial source, but your CO seems to be more interesting in perfectly following the orders from HIS commander rather than pay much attention to just "one more pair of boots on the ground."

Scenario #2:

You have a bad gambling addiction, and over the weekend, you thought you had a "sure thing"; so, you bet double or nothing against the $50,000 that you already owed the bookie. You lost (again), and Bruiser (the bookie's "collector") is coming in two days with a baseball bat to "remind" you of the importance of paying off your debts. You don't have even a thousand dollars in the bank, so your only real choice is to contact your rich Uncle Bob, who loved you dearly when you were eight years old (which was also about the time you learned how to play Black Jack). You are hoping that even though Uncle Bob will not be happy, he will still give you the money before Bruiser comes to your house. As you are driving to Uncle Bob's house, you realize that you have two choices: you can lie about why you need the money (for example, your child will die without an expensive operation not covered by insurance) and promise to pay Uncle Bob back as soon as you can, OR, you can admit your addiction and explain the situation, listen to his lecture about the evils of gambling, and admit that the odds are pretty good that he may never see the money again (but, at least your knee caps will remain intact). In all truth, you are a much better liar than gambler, so Uncle Bob would probably believe whatever lie you told.

For either Scenario #1 OR Scenario #2, answer the following questions in your well-developed and thoughtful essay.

• First, which scenario did you pick?

• Pretend you are good Utilitarian who is more interested in the results than in the intention to do the right thing, what course of action would you take and why? Please be specific with your answers and refer to the principles of the Utilitarian ethical theory as you explain your reasoning.

• Next, using the same scenario, pretend you are good Kantian who is more interested in the intention to do the right thing than in the consequences, what course of action would you take and why? Please be specific with your answers and refer to the principles of Kant's ethical theory as you explain your reasoning.

• Finally, which of these two theories feels the most "comfortable" for you, when you are thinking about the moral rightness and wrongness of some action. Explain in detail why you prefer one of these ethical theories more than the other one.

Please use standard American grammar and follow APA formatting guidelines. Keep in mind that the essay should be between 600 words and as 900 words. Also, please do not use anything other than your textbook as a source for this paper.

Reference no: EM131349454

Questions Cloud

Choose careers or activities that served the community : Dimensions of Culture document located in this week's Learning Resources to identify personal values related to social responsibility. Consider the direct or indirect influences that may have shaped your own orientation to social responsibility.
Covariance between the minimum variance portfolio : Prove the covariance between the minimum variance portfolio and any other portfolio is the variance of the minimum variance portfolio.
What would you want your friend who found out to do to you : What would you do, and why? If you were the person cheating on his or her spouse, what would you want your friend who found out to do to you, and why?
Bertrand equilibrium in prices in market : Calculate the Bertrand equilibrium in prices in this market.
Explain what course of action would you take and why : Next, using the same scenario, pretend you are good Kantian who is more interested in the intention to do the right thing than in the consequences, what course of action would you take and why?
Oligopoly and monopoly markets : "The only way to succeed in a market with homogeneous products is to produce more efficiently than most other firms." Comment. Does this imply that efficiency is less important in oligopoly and monopoly markets?
Calculate the probability of finding an electron : Calculate the probability of finding an electron in the lowest bound state inside the 4 nm well, using equation (4.21).
Systematic relationship between concentration and price : Numerous studies have shown that there is usually a systematic relationship between concentration and price. What is this relationship? Offer two brief explanations for this relationship.
Describe the history and process of nursing research : NRS-433V: Introduction to Nursing Research - History and Process of Nursing Research, Evidence-Based Nursing Practice, Quantitative and Qualitative Research Process.What similarities and differences can you identify between the nursing process and ..

Reviews

Write a Review

 

Other Subject Questions & Answers

  How has technology changed the role of retail managers

How has technology changed the role of retail managers

  Comparison of at least two types of specialized databases

A comparison of at least two types of specialized databases, such as the following-Mobile data terminals,AFIS,Live scan,Facial recognition,Iris scan

  Discuss how state programs and the federal osh act interact

Explain and discuss how State programs and the Federal OSH Act interact when the conduct of employers caused serious injury or even death to employees. Cite specific cases to support your discussion.

  Identify at what point you should start drafting

If you don't currently have a resume and/or CV, explain why. Then identify at what point you should start drafting and preparing a resume and/or CV for your eventual job search.

  What evidence does this film present for the possibility

hat attributions do people tend to make regarding those who are overweight? What evidence does this film present for the possibility of weight prejudice?

  Identify quality parameters in a healthcare setting

Describe the environment, the organization, and the department or program within the organization that is the basis for your project. Describe the selected healthcare setting, specifically its service, staff, equipment, and patients. Identify and ..

  The evolution of 20th century liberalism

The evolution of 20th century liberalism,Need the definition of 20th century liberalism, the context in which it emerged, and factors that contributed to its unraveling,

  Explained the purpose of chaebols

Explained the purpose of chaebols. Provided an appropriate explanation of how chaebols correlate the strategies of South Korean business.

  Is the use of religion functional or dysfunctional

Diane is a thirty-six year old white female. Currently she is divorced with two children and is employed as a daycare worker. Is the use of religion functional or dysfunctional

  From a religious or spiritual perspective

For those who do not profess a faith (from a religious or spiritual perspective), upon what do they build their worldview?

  Reflect the value of diversity

Diversity is very important, it is always good to be different in every way, some strategies we can use to reflect the value of diversity in our written work is to always point out important facts in our own words, we can also use our own creativity ..

  Economics terms and health care history

Economics Terms and Health Care History

Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd