Ethical Arguments Issues - Essay Example

Bentham's theory is important because it promotes morally correct ethical actions that are designed to maximize happiness for a maximum number of people. According to Act Utilitarian by Jeremy Bentham, an action that results in the happiness of one and all is a good act. He said ‘when choosing a course of action, one should always pick the one that will maximize happiness and minimize unhappiness for the greatest number of people' (Bentham from Rosenstand, p.176). Thus it follows that actions which alleviate pain are morally right and every person must realize it. One can therefore assert that Sparky should not be put in the microwave.

Another very important aspect is that morality can only be defined by rationalizing ‘whether one is inflicting evil on others’. Emmanuel Kant has been emphatic that moral obligations are imperatives and his two Rules define the categorical imperatives: Rules of Universality; and Rules of Respect (Schneewind, 1990). The first one makes says that people at all time must act appropriately and the second rule promotes the value of respect and say that well being al all individuals is important and therefore, one should not use others for their vested interests or gratification. Putting the puppy in the microwave for one’s amusement is, therefore, morally and ethically wrong.

Last but not least important is the fact that ethical conduct is all about making choices and one’s value system and religious beliefs lend credence to one’s action in making those choices. Michael Josephson (1997), an eminent sociologist has proposed six values or ‘six pillars of characters' as the ground rules for ethical decision-making. Three of the six values that can be applied in the case are: respect which promotes honoring the worth and dignity of others, fairness supports equality and impartiality and caring encourages a caring attitude and genuine concern for the welfare of others. These values endorse that the defenseless creatures, weak and helpless beings must be protected by the stronger beings in a civilized society. Just as the mother protects her infant child from the dangers of the world, defenseless animals like puppies should also be protected from harm and painful acts and not put in the microwave.

Indeed the philosophy of using the Golden Rule for moral and ethical actions has long since been in existence. Various philosophers like Confucius, Aristotle, etc. have proposed that one should act only in a manner that one would expect others to act (ibid, p.21). Putting the puppy in the microwave is a heinous act that one would not like to experience and therefore, the puppy should not be put in the microwave.