Ethical decision making Flashcards
HOW DO WE MAKE ETHICAL DECISIONS?
Ethical decision making= how do we make decisions by considering ethical norms.
How do we make ethical decisions? A mental experiment: THE TROLLEY PROBLEM
- Ethical justification: the reasons that we use to justify how things are right and wrong. They can be reduced to some key elements or approaches, such as the utilitarian or the deontological one.
- Basic ethical decision making: the trolley problem- the person could pull the lever and change the direction of the tram. It is only logical to choose to kill 1 person instead of 5. Some might argue that not touching the lever would spare them the responsibility of the killing. On the other hand, if you choose not to intervene you are still making a moral decision, so you are not free of responsibility. It is ethically approved to kill 1 person. Justification: you are sparing 4 of them. This line of reasoning focuses on the consequences of the action: 1 dead man vs 5 dead men.
REASONING BASED ON CONSEQUENCES AND WELLBEING
Ethical justification can be categorized with 2 main approaches: utilitarianism and deontology.
Utilitarianism (reasoning based on consequences and wellbeing):
- Originated by Jeremy Bentham, utilitarianism evaluates actions based on their consequences. It prioritizes maximizing happiness and minimizing suffering for the greatest number of people. This approach argues that moral decisions should be aimed at achieving the greatest common good. Examples include controversial decisions such as the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, justified by the perceived greater good of ending WW2 quickly.
Deontology (reasoning based on principles and rights):
- Focuses on acting in harmony with universal principles and respecting human inherent dignity. Emphasizes duty, rights, and moral rules that are binding regardless of consequences. Considers actions right or wrong based on ethical principal adherence, not just on their outcomes. In scenarios such as the trolley problem, deontological ethics may argue against directly harming a person (pushing the person off the bridge), even if it saves more lives, because of a violation of moral principle or rights.
- Morality is acting based on universal principles: we should always act inspired by some principle which is not only valid for me but for everyone. Morality also means to respect the dignity of other people. In experiment 2 (where the person needs to decide to push the other one or not) I shouldn’t be the one deciding for the man to stop the tram, he should be the one choosing to sacrifice himself.
ELEMENTS OF CHOICE:
There are many aspects that influence our choices:
1. INTENTION: the purpose or meaning behind the action
2. MOTIVES: the emotional or ethical reasons influencing a decision.
3. BELIEFS: beliefs about reality, casual relationships, and norms
4. CONSEQUENCES: the expected results of actions
5. PRINCIPLES: normative rules that are considered universally valid regardless of the circumstances
These elements determine how people navigate ethical dilemmas by balancing considerations of consequences with principles and rights in their moral reasoning.
Case study: H&M and Cotton (deontological approach):
H&M has faced increasing controversy over its cotton sourcing practices, particularly claims of forced labor in regions such as Xingjian, China, home to Muslim minority. Reports point to exploitation and force labor, which has drawn scrutiny from international bodies such as the United Nations. The Chinese government rejects these claims as politically motivated. Ethical critics stress that companies such as H&M must ensure that cotton sourcing complies with human rights and sustainability standards, not simply react when profit margins are threatened. Deontology argues that respect for human rights is essential, regardless of the economic consequences, companies must prioritize ethical sourcing practices to protect workers, even if it means losing business from controversial regions.
Case study: MONSANTO AND GMO’S
Monsanto, a global corporation, specializes in pesticides, chemicals, and GMOs. Monsanto promotes the GMO industry as beneficial through media campaigns that portray GMOs and pesticides as safe and essential for food security. The public, including groups like “Millions against Monsanto”, protests against GMOs and pesticides, advocating for accountability and boycotting Monsanto products. Utilitarianism argues that despite potential risks, GMOs contribute to increased food production, addressing global hunger. Thus, the benefits of fighting hunger outweigh the possible dangers associated with the GMOs.
Case study: The trolley problem:
The trolley problem illustrates a moral dilemma where choosing between saving different groups, such as elderly individuals or children, raises questions about the value of human life, taking into account the experiences and vulnerabilities, especially if the more defenseless. Ethical theories such as Kantian ethics emphasizes human dignity, which complicates decisions about actions such as dropping atomic bombs or lying to protect life in times of crisis. Utilitarian approaches prioritize outcomes to maximize well-being, sometimes justifying difficult decisions such as torture or capital punishment. In contrast, deontological and ontological ethics focus on principles and rights, opposing actions that violate human dignity or universal moral laws. Aristotle’s virtue ethics advocate developing moral virtues and finding a balanced approach to ethical dilemmas, emphasizing the importance of character and thoughtful decision-making in complex situations.
