ethical decision making

Question 1

define ethics

Answer 1

ethics is the study of principles and methods guiding how and why people make decisions about human behaviour

Question 2

explain what makes an issue an ethical issue

Answer 2

an ethical issue is an issue in which one must use their moral principles to make a decision

Question 3

give an example of a moral dilemma

Answer 3

the issue of whether or not the death penalty should be reintroduced for certain crimes.

Question 4

explain what deontology is

Answer 4

deontology is an ethical theory that the morality of an action should be based on whether that action itself is right or wrong under a set of rules, rather than based on the consequences of the action

Question 5

define categorical imperative

Answer 5

the categorical imperative is something that a person must do. an imperative is categorical when it is true at all times and in all situations

Question 6

what is a maxim? give an example

Answer 6

a maxim is a short statement that expresses a general truth or rule of conduct. an example of a maxim is “it is wrong to tell lies”

Question 7

how do deontologists determine acceptable behaviour?

Answer 7

deontologists determine acceptable behaviour using the categorical imperative, more specifically kant’s three formulations of the categorical imperative

Question 8

who was immanuel kant

Answer 8

immanuel kant was a german philosophy who is considered the founding father of deontology. he taught that every person has inherent dignity and it is wrong to treat a person as a resource or tool

Question 9

what were kant’s most important categorical imperatives

Answer 9

1. first formulation
   the formula of universality and the law of nature
   Can this action be applied to all of humanity?
2. second formulation
   the formula of humanity?
   always treat humanity, never simply as a means to an end,l but always at the same time as an end
3. third formulation
   the formula of autonomy
   we must will something, that we could at the same time freely will of ourselves

Question 10

what is kant’s formula of humanity

Answer 10

always treat humanity, never simply as a means to an end, but always at the same time as an end

Question 11

what is absolute moral worth

Answer 11

we are imbued with an absolute moral worth which means we shouldn’t be manipulated or manipulate other autonomous agents for our own benefit

Question 12

list 2 advantages of deontology

Answer 12

1. deontology doesnt require weighing the costs and benefits of a situation
2. the rigid structure of deontology means decision making isnt blurred by emotion

Question 13

list 2 disadvantages of deontology

Answer 13

1. the lack of concern for consequences can sometimes be disasterous
2. no two people can have the same sense of goodwill as their life experiences will be different

Question 14

name the individuals associated with utilitarianism

Answer 14

-jeremy bentham, english philosopher, founder of modern utilitarianism
-john stuart mill, english philosopher, member of parliament
-epicurus, ancient greek philosopherm hedonsit as he focused his life on maximising pleasure

Question 15

define utilitarianism

Answer 15

utilitarianism is the doctrine that actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of the majority, or that an action is right in so far as it promotes happiness

Question 16

how is utilitarianism different to deontology?

Answer 16

unlike deontology, where the morality of an action is evaluated by the nature of the action, not its consequences, in utilitarianism the justification for an action is decided by whetehr the action would bring the greatets happiness to the most people

Question 17

describe the principle of utility

Answer 17

Bentham’s principle of utility
1. recognises the fundamental role of pain and pleasure in human life
2. approves or disapproves of an action on the basis of the amount of pain or pleasure brought about by the consequences 3. equates good with pleasure an evil with pain and 4. asserts that pain and pleasure are capable of quantification slash measure

Question 18

state 2 positives of utilitarianism

Answer 18

1. the weighing of individual actions in terms of their consequences allows for meaningful and firm ethical rules without requiring that everyone be treated identically no matter how different the particular situation 2. it is very democratic as the society or collective supersedes the individual

Question 19

state 2 negatives of utilitarianism

Answer 19

1. it focuses on total utility and doesn’t consider how utility is distributed among the population and 2. because people have different notions of happiness comparisons between people don’t work well

Question 20

define rule utilitarianism

Answer 20

a form of utilitarianism that says an action is right as it conforms to a rule that leads to the greatest good

Question 21

give examples of act and rule utilitarianism

Answer 21

act
a pharmaceutical company releasing a drug that has been governmentally approved with known side effects because the drug is able to help more people that then bothered by the minus side effects

rule
airlines have business and economy class seats customers who fly first class pay higher rates but get more amenities the higher prices paid your business sit business seats help to ease the airlines financial burden created by making room for economy class seats

Question 22

reasoning

Answer 22

reasoning is the act of thinking about something in a logical sensible way

Question 23

conscience

Answer 23

conscience is the whole person body soul and intellect trying to make judgement about right and wrong

Question 24

conscience

Answer 24

intuition is the ability to understand something instinctively without the need for conscious reasoning

Question 25

common sense

Answer 25

common sense is sound practical judgement concerning everyday matters or a basic ability to perceive understand and judge in a manner that is shared by nearly all people

Question 26

assumptions

Answer 26

assumptions of things that are accepted as true or as certain to happen without proof

Question 27

authority

Answer 27

authoritie’s are the power or right to give orders make decisions an enforce obediance

Question 28

worldviews

Answer 28

worldviews are collectives collections of attitudes values stories and expectations about the world around us which in format every thought and action

Question 29

values

Answer 29

values are individual beliefs that manipulate motivate people to act one way or another they serve as a guide for human behaviour

Question 30

codes of behaviour

Answer 30

codes of behaviour a set of rules and Prince principles and expectations that are considered binding on any person who is a member of a particular group

Question 31

obligation

Answer 31

obligation is an act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound

Question 32

stakeholder

Answer 32

stakeholder is a person group or organisation with I’m interest or stake in the decisionmaking