Ethical Theories of Existence - Essay Example

Ethical Analysis Introduction Ethics and morality are diminishing from the current world as the struggle for existence intensifies. Competition is visible in all the segments of human life and the sins in the past are considered as sacred things at present. Human actions are justified on the basis of short term goals at present rather than the long term goals. The given case study reveals up to what extent, the business competition can go. AFP and VyT were two rival Australian television companies which were engaged in fierce competition between each other. The telecasting of Australian day celebrations right has been gained by AFP which found an advertising sign of the rival VyT Company at the filming location. AFP solved the issue by superimposing a digitally created AFP logo over the VyT sign, thereby blocking it out. This paper analyses the above case study with respect to different ethical theories, like Kantianism, Utilitarianism and Social contract theory. Analysis of the given case based on Kantianism Kantian views of ethics can be summarized as follows; “What a person should do and what a person wants to do are often not compatible. Doing what one wants to do would usually bring immediate gratification/happiness, but might not benefit the person in the long run. On the other hand, doing what one should do may cause immediate discomfort/unhappiness, even if it is good for the person” (Maccarelli, 2006) Kant identifies imagination as the very root of finite reason. He believed that reasons are subjective in most of the cases. (Rockmore, 2000) It is not necessary that the “rights” of a person might be the “right” of other as well. We are living in a society which consists of different people engaged in different activities having different beliefs as well. But in order to live in a society, man should follow certain norms of the society. These norms may not be always viable for a person for his own selfish interests. The society can think in terms of the general well-being of the communities rather than the individual comfort. In the given case study, AFP’s action may bring immediate success to the company. But in the long run such things may not provide any goods either to the company or to the society in which the company is operating. AFP has given the right of telecasting the actual things happened on the specific location during the occasion. In a live show, they have no moral right to alter things or the environment. Editing can be done in television programs but not is reality shows or live programs. If the television companies try to manipulate things in their live programs, that might affect their reliability acceptance badly, in the society, in the long run. It is possible that another television company might shoot something in the same location and demonstrate the advertising signage of the VyT in their program which will reveal the unethical behaviour of AFP and AFP’s acceptance will be questioned then. Analysis of the given case based on Utilitarianism “In assessing the consequences of actions, Utilitarianism relies upon some theory of intrinsic value: something is held to be good in itself, apart from further consequences, and all other values are believed to derive their worth from their relation to this intrinsic good as a means to an end” (West, n.d) As pert he arguments of utilitarian, actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness (Mill, p.6) Utilitarianism is an effort to provide an answer to the practical question “What ought a man to do?” Its answer is that he ought to act so as to produce the best consequences possible (Utilitarianism, 2009) In the given case study, AFP’s actions were aimed for the immediate gains and the future consequences were not analysed properly by AFP. Utilitarianism believes in the utility of an action irrespective of the consequences. It argues that morality has nothing to do with the utility of an action and every action must be analysed based on the intrinsic value associated with it. AFP’s action can be justified if we analyse it in terms of utilitarianism. Analysis of the given case based on Social Contract Theory As per the Social Contract theory, our choice is either to abide by the terms of the contract, or return to the State of Nature. Social Contract Theory has the view that persons’ moral obligations are dependent upon a contract or agreement between them to form society. Majority of the humans are self interested and they will work for preserving their interest. But the law of nature ask commands that each man be willing to pursue peace when others are willing to do the same. (Social Contract Theory, 2004) In the given case, AFP’s action cannot be justified if we analyse it through the eyes of social contract theory. AFP failed to respect their moral agreement to the society by hiding the natural thing while telecasting a live show. As per social contract theory principle, every action is justified only if it is in accordance with the norms of the society or nature. AFP failed to fulfil their commitments either to the society or to the nature. As per the norms of the society, every person or the organization has equal rights functioning in the society. It is wrong to cause any problems to the function of a person or an organization which is functioning for the wellbeing of the society or nature. Under that perspective, AFP’s actions was a deliberate attempt to block the rights of another organization which was not right as per the social contract theory. Conclusions The actions of AFP can be justified if we analyse the incident in terms of utilitarianism since utilitarian analyse actions entirely based on the utility associated with it. On the other hand, AFP’s actions were unjustified as per the ethical principles of Kantianism and social contract theory since it failed to look for long term goals and their commitment to the society and nature. References 1. Rockmore Tom,(2000), Heidegger, German Idealism, and Neo-Kantianism Publisher: Humanity Books (May 2000) http://www.amazon.com/Heidegger-German-Idealism-Neo-Kantianism-Rockmore/dp/1573927376/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1250516689&sr=1-2# 2. Maccarelli Sarah, (2006), The Ethical Theory of Kantianism, Retrieved on 18 August 2009 from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/20668/the_ethical_theory_of_kantianism.html?cat=9 3. West Henry R., (n.d) Utilitarianism, Encyclopædia Britannica, Retrieved on 18 August from http://www.utilitarianism.com/utilitarianism.html 4. Mill John Stuart, Utilitarianism,(2004), Retrieved on 18 August 2009 from http://books.google.com/books?id=9PE1LARQNV8C&dq=Utilitarianism&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=54VwimSZ8i&sig=7f2q1be-7t6ih4pHPFsnmXT0qTs&hl=en&ei=kSeKSsL-G8OOkQXzv6gr&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5#v=onepage&q=&f=false 5. Social Contract Theory, (2004), Retrieved on 18 August 2009 from http://www.iep.utm.edu/soc-cont/ 6. Utilitarianism (2009), In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved August 17, 2009, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/620682/Utilitarianism Read More