Ethics

Question 1

Describe what should be performed in each steps of the Ethical cycle

Answer 1

Moral problem statement
Problem analysis
Options for action
Ethical evaluation
Reflection

1. Moral problem statement
   o The start of the ethical cycle in an ethical analysis is to formulate a moral problem
   o The moral problem should be stated as precisely and clear as possible
   o Clearly state:
    The problem - “are there some ethical reasons for why this tech should be used or for why the use of this tech should be limited or avoided?”
    The actors who must act, for whom is it a problem
    The moral problem, moral nature of the problem
   o Often not possible to formulate the moral problem when the ethical cycle is started, but can start with a vague notion and then try to formulate the moral problem once it is more clear
2. Problem analysis
   o Includes
    Stakeholders and the stakeholders’ interests
    What values are there and values crashes
    Relevant, important, uncertain, and possible missing information
   o Potential consequences – both positive and negative – from the use of this technology
    Distinguish between the facts that are:
   • Well known, agreed upon
   • Disputed, uncertain or unknown
   o Who is suffering or profiting from the use
   o Interests of different stakeholders
   o Different people will make different assumptions
   o Potential consequences
    Positive
   • The service you get from the product
   • Other values
    Negative
   • Connected to the three sustainability constraints
   • Other ethical issues
   o Code of conduct – set of rules outlining the responsibilities of or proper practices for an individual, party, or organization
3. Options for action
   o Includes:
    Black and white strategy – acceptable to engage in a certain action or not, only two options considered
    Creative middle way strategy
    Co-operative strategy – consulting other stakeholders for a possible win-win
    Whistle-blowing – speaking out to the media or the public – last resort
   o Identify possible options for action:
    1. Use the product in a long-term and large scale
    2. Not use the product at all
    3. Use the product but with some restrictions or requirements
4. Ethical judgement
   o Include:
    Intuition
    Common sense – determining dominant values
    Ethical theories
   o The moral acceptability of the possible options for action is judged
   o This fourth phase results in moral judgements about the various options for action – there judgements need not be the same because different frameworks can result in different preferred options for action in a given situation
5. Reflection
   o Since the different ethical framework, no not necessarily lead to the same conclusion, a further reflection on the outcomes of the previous step is usually required
   o Goal of the reflection is to come to a well-argued choice among the various options for actions, using the outcomes of the earlier phases
   o Should primarily be based on the outcome of the ethical judgement in the previous phase
   o Includes:
    Criticism of ethical theories
    Moral relevance
    Comparison with intuition
    Wide reflective equilibrium
   o Reflection based on argumentation for an action
    General criticism of ethical theories
    Reflection on the concrete situation on which a certain option for action bas to be chosen

Question 2

How could you reason and which decision could you end up with for the following moral problem, when you use

i) utilitarianism or
ii) deontological ethics?

Answer 2

• Utilitarianism
  o An action is judged based on its consequences
  o One should choose the action that causes the maximum utility (good) for most people
  o The utility of all people counts equally
  o Utility (good) can be measure as, eg:
   Happiness
   Fulfilment of desire
   Welfare
  o Different weightings for different utilities
   Weighting different consequences against each other
  o Ex methods: cost-benefit analysis, risk analysis
• Deontologism
  o An action is right if it follows a moral duty (rule, principle)
  o Moral (ethical) dilemma: conflict between duties in a specific situation
  o Moral duties can vary between cultures and religion
  o Also weighting different moral aspects against one another