The branches of philosophy - Essay Example

?Final paper assignment Knowledge regarding the essentials of philosophy and ethics is significant in one’s life as one’s personal philosophy, pointsof view and ethical perspectives exert great influence on one’s decisions and deeds. The content of the course has offered me fresh insights into various ethical approaches and perspectives and this also has immensely helped me to identify my own personal ethical lens, values and principles. Similarly, the learning experiences of the module also made me to evaluate such controversial issues as abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, homosexuality and environmental ethics from various ethical perspectives such as deontological teleological, aretological, utilitarian, retributive, abolitionist and egoist approaches. This paper explores these ethical perspectives, reviews relevant perspectives on ethics as an academic discipline, reflects the relevance of ethics among individuals and society, and identifies the key ethical perspectives, values and principles that would most benefit individuals and society. The course content convinced me of the relationship between philosophy and ethics as well as their components. While philosophy deals with the analysis of fundamental ideas and logical examination of the basic concepts of life ethics deals with justification of morality in determining what is right and wrong. In fact, ethics is only one of the branches of philosophy while the other three branches are metaphysics (deals with the ultimate reality and structure of existence), epistemology (branch of philosophy that examines the nature, types, and limits of knowledge) and aesthetics (branch of philosophy that explores the nature of beauty). The course also showed me how metaphysics, epistemology, and aesthetics contribute towards the making of one’s ethical perspectives. Similarly, ethics can also be divided into such subcategories as meta ethics, normative ethics and applied ethics. The course has also thrown light on the major ethical perspectives such as deontological teleological, aretological. It is worthwhile to analyze and apply these ethical perspectives and their sub categories into ethical questions related to homosexuality, capital punishment, environmental ethics, euthanasia, and abortion. For instance, it is worthwhile to evaluate the ethics regarding the issue of homosexuality from utilitarian as well as egoist ethical perspectives. There are for and against utilitarian ethical arguments with regard to homosexuality. Utilitarian ethical theories ask what brings the greatest benefit or least harm for the greatest number, they look at how the effects of homosexuality either increase benefits or minimize harms for the greatest number of those affected. As such, utilitarians who argue for homosexuality regard it as an orientation rather than a choice. They also hold that once the society accepts homosexuals the homophobia of the society will diminish. On the other hand, utilitarians who are against homosexuality argue that it contributes to problems such as addiction and suicide and that greater societal acceptance of homosexuality will not bring about greater happiness to the homosexuals. Similarly, one can find considerable differences in the deontological perspectives towards ethical issues surrounding capital punishments while comparing the deontological perspectives with that of teleological, utilitarian, retributive, abolitionist and egoist approaches. In the same way, the content of the course has been instrumental in providing me insights into environmental ethics which very often go underreported and unnoticed. I came to understand that the conflict between anthropocentric concerns and bio-centric concerns are quite evident in environmental ethics. Similarly, the issues of euthanasia and abortion discussed in the module also raise many ethical questions based on ethical perspectives. While utilitarian ethics tend to recognize the patient’s autonomy in taking decisions as to what will benefit them most the deontological ethicists rely on moral rules. Similarly, various ethical perspectives have different postulation regarding the issue of abortion. While the divine command theory and covenantal ethics oppose all sorts of abortions on moral and religious grounds the natural law condemns only intentional killing of innocent lives as it permits abortion in rare cases. While the fetus has the right to live there are many who emphasize on the choice of the woman as well. Similarly, utilitarian ethicists are against abortion as it causes both physical and psychological harms whereas ethical egoists either support or reject it depending upon whether abortion would serve one’s interests. Thus, the module has shown me how the ethics behind controversial issues such as homosexuality, capital punishment, environmental ethics, euthanasia, and abortion can be understood differently from various ethical perspectives. It is also worthwhile to analyze my own and the society’s ethical perspectives with reference to the theoretical formulations over deontological teleological, and aretological perspectives. Teleological ethical perspectives are very much dominant in any society. Both egoism and utilitarianism are at work while people live in communities. I strongly feel that every moral human being will think of the consequences of one’s action on himself as well as on the society. From a utilitarian point of view one always needs to think how one’s actions are going to do good to the greatest number. However, there are many who hold that the utilitarian perspectives undermine one’s individual rights as the focus is on the well being of all those affected. On the other hand, from an egoistic perspective one’s self-interests are significant predictors of one’s ethical perspectives. Aretological ethics also play a significant role in the community as it holds that one’s virtues and character are shaped by the society. Individuals who are virtuous are more likely to be moved by morality and ethics. Religion and morality contribute immensely towards one’s ethical perspectives. The divine command theory and covenantal ethics are based on man’s relationship with God. There is no doubt that religious ethics shapes ethical perspectives among people and the religious community. Similarly, natural law principles of rights and duties, conflicts of duties and the principles of forfeiture or double effect also affect individuals’ ethical perspectives. As individual moral agents one’s ethics is shaped through one or more of the above mentioned ethical perspectives. The eight weeks course has convinced me of the significance of having a thorough knowledge regarding one’s personal code of ethics-a self-discovery of what one’s primary ethical lens is. One’s values and ethical decisions form the basis of one’s behavior and as such knowledge regarding one’s personal code of ethics is essential. The Ethical Lens Inventory is sure to assist one to identify one’s own core values and preferred approach to solving ethical dilemmas. Every society has its own norms, rules and principles and one’s behavior and ethical principles are affected by these norms. The ELI helps one to evaluate the core values that determine one’s primary ethical lens. One’s ethical choices and decisions in complex situations stem from one’s dominant ethical perspectives. The ELI has facilitated my self-discovery of the underlying values that help me to solve ethical dilemmas. I have also realized that one needs to maintain both personal and professional ethical codes while living in society. One also needs to identify the conflicting values which arise from differences between one’s personal and community values, conflicts as to which personal value should take priority in a given situation, and the disparity between one’s best and worst selves. It was Baird’s ethical lens inventory that showed me the four basic values that form one’s ethical behavior and determine one’s primary ethical lens- rationality, sensibility, autonomy and equality. Among these, rationality stresses on reason, principles, critical thinking and analysis; sensibility emphasizes empathy and compassion where the individual follows his heart or intuition in ethical decisions; autonomy favors personal rights and responsibilities in ethical behavior whereas equality takes into account the needs of the community in ethical choices (Baird & Niacaris 11). It is therefore imperative that one identifies one’s personal preferences between the competing values of autonomy and equality as well as between those of rationality and sensibility. It is also significant to identify those ethical values that are in tension in one’s ethical perspectives. In the same way the congruencies or incongruence between one’s personal core values and that of the community norms are to be identified. Analyzing my own ethical values it is evident that rationality stands at the core of my ethical statement. I strongly believe in the power of reason, principles, critical thinking and analysis in making ethical choices. Baird categorizes the ethical lenses into four: rights and responsibility lens, results lens, relationship lens, and reputation lens. The Rights and Responsibility Lens emphasizes the core values of autonomy and rationality and it holds that the individual is capable of making his own ethical choices through critical thinking and analysis. On the other hand, the Results Lens emphasizes the core values of autonomy and sensibility and the focus of the individual is on the results or consequences of his actions. The third ethical perspective is the Relationship Lens that emphasizes the core values of equality and rationality which has its roots in the deontological tradition. On the other hand, the Reputation Lens emphasizes the values of equality and sensibility and the lens focuses on what virtues the community believes should be cultivated by those in positions of responsibility. The course has assisted me to identify my two dominant ethical lenses-the rights and responsibility lens and the relationship lens. I have also realized that a balanced lens with a combination of strong rationality and balanced autonomy/equality best defines my ethical perspective. However, all these four ethical lenses are at work in the society and one should be capable of employing the best ethical lens that suits the situation. Any probe into the future of ethics calls for the need to understand whether ethics can be taught. It has been argued that studying ethics can contribute towards better ethical thinking as it prompts one to think of the morality of the actions that one undertakes. One needs to think of the possible ethical issues that human beings will face in the future such as environmental degradation, global warming, poverty, malnutrition, and war. The biotechnological developments and expansion of the modern man has increased the significance of bioethics. The ethical issues resulting from biotechnological advancements vary from pre-determining the sex of children and their genetic make-up, genetically derived therapies, programming human genes, hormonal and genetic tuning of body growth and function, creation of artificial hearts, transplanting human organs with that of animal ones, and eliminating aging in humans. All these issues raise ethical considerations as these undermine the dignity of human beings and challenge religious ethics. It is therefore essential for the modern man to review these future ethical issues from various ethical perspectives. To conclude, the content of the course has helped me to identify my dominant ethical perspectives and lenses and I strongly feel that studying ethics will equip one better to be more of ethical. The individuals in particular and the society in general need to incorporate these ethical perspectives and values in society. It is a fact that studying ethics can help us to be more ethical in several ways: by helping us think more clearly about ethical issues that affect our lives; by changing our minds about ethical issues; by helping us understand others who have different ethical views so that we might find resolutions to those differences; and by inspiring us to emulate persons who model virtuous lives. Factors such as environmental degradation, poverty and malnutrition, war, and transnational corporations are likely to influence future ethics and controversial issues. Issues such as cloning humans, pre-determining the sex of children and their genetic make-up, genetically driven therapies and eliminating ageing among humans are likely to trigger future ethical debates. The course content has in fact made me competent enough to evaluate these issues from the multifaceted ethical perspectives. Works Cited Bube, Paul Custodio. Revealing Applied Ethics 3.0. Thinking Strings. 2012. DVD. Baird, C. A., & Niacaris, J. (2010). The Person-In-Community; Using The Ethical Lens Inventory to Enhance Your Personal Ethical Agility. Denver: Ethics Games Press. Read More