Philosophy of Ethics final exam - Essay Example

Final Exam Essay Questions Case scenario: You are a doctor who is treating a patient who is in tears. Should you hug this patient? Using two ethical approaches provide arguments of the pros and cons of this action. A hug between a doctor and patient must be in an appropriate context, and there must be a sense of eagerness between the recipient and the giver of a hug (Clark, 2012). In the utilitarian approach, an action “with the greatest good for the greatest number” is ethical (Velasquez, Andre, Shanks, & Meyer, 1996).

From this stance, the pros can be associated to the possibility that the patient is categorised as one with an incremental feedback out of such an act, but the cons can be associated to inverse notion of the aforementioned stance, and the possibility that the patient can be one of those who do not appreciate the act can receive negative feeling (Clark, 2012). In the virtue approach, an ethical action is one that is grounded with virtues, such as honesty, fairness, compassion, and integrity, and once they become a habit, they transform into traits of a person (Velasquez et al., 1996). From this notion, it can be said that a hug from a medical practitioner can be positive if the doctor and the patient both have virtues with pertinence to such an act (Baum, 2011), but the negative aspect about this act is that patients may not receive the feeling of comfort if they are not used to this kind of action with anyone else.

Similarly, doctors may not give the right comfort the patient wants if it is not in their disposition to hug (Clark, 2012). 2. How important are the consequences of our actions when making moral decisions? The consequences of one’s actions are very significant when making moral decisions to the extent that one must assess divergent forms of actions by getting the facts, or through the different forms of results of such an action. It is noteworthy to consider the moral rights of a person when making a moral decision, its fairness and with consideration of moral principles.

Otherwise stated, one must assess all alternative actions and choose the one with the best overall outcomes, one that best respects the rights of the person, with sense of equality, draws for the common good, and with moral virtues (Velasquez et al., 1996). 3. Does adherence to virtues offer a complete solution to everyday moral dilemmas? Moral dilemmas can only be settled when a person is virtuous; thus, adherence to virtues makes a person become ethical. Virtues are traits or behaviours that reinforce oneself to become and act in approaches that will enhance highest potential.

They will enable one to fulfill the ideals one has adapted. Exemplaries of virtues may include courage, fidelity, prudence, and fairness. These virtues become traits of a person when required. It must be noted that once persons have enhanced virtues, they will naturally act in different approaches constant with moral principles (Velasquez et al., 1996). Therefore, in the virtue approach, moral dilemmas can be easily resolved by a virtuous person. 4. Using two ethical approaches, give 2 arguments in favor of, and 2 arguments against the death penalty.

Death penalty has been used as a tool for crime deterrent and divergent conflicting stances have emerged to discuss such a schematic approach of punishment. In fairness or justice approach, an action should be fair, must treat everyone in similar manner, and should not show discrimination and favoritism. On the other hand, the rights approach proffers everyone with the right to the truth and of privacy, the right not to be injured, and to what is agreed (Velasquez et al., 1996). Moreover, death penalty publicly authenticates the ultimate act of taking a human life.

In the hope of emancipation by those who could have been proven innocent, death penalty tends to deter one from hoping and the right to live (“N.H. Church Leaders,” 2013). This act hinders one the right to the truth making death penalty a disadvantage. Death penalty must be stopped because there is a dearth of adequate protection to impede innocent persons from being executed (Clark, 2013). It must be noted that such an act is undeniably unethical because the possibility of taking an innocent person to jail with capital punishment posits injustice and is very unfair (Velasquez et al., 1996). Furthermore, death penalty can offer positive effects to the society at large because it can be a significant deterrent to keep a moral community and vicious offense at a minimum (Castro-Crist, 2013).

The rights of everyone not to be injured are depiction that an act can become ethical when it protects the society at large from the possible injuries out of violent crimes (Velasquez et al., 1996). However, a death penalty can also be applicable only for some valid cases that fit a death penalty, one that has good evidence (Balko, 2013). In this notion, fairness and justice is highly considered, making such an act an ethical approach (Velasquez et al., 1996). 5. We have seen connections between various moral issues (for example, connections between abortion and the death penalty, abortion and euthanasia, death penalty and violence, terrorism and war, environmentalism and globalization.) Pick two related issues and write about the connection between the two and about whether adopting a stance on one forces you to take a certain stance on the other.

Environmentalism and globalisation are interconnected. Globalisation, which can be perceived through economic progress, proffers adverse affects to the natural environment; significantly, an environmental change can also proffer detrimental effect to the economy (Jupiter, 2013). In particular, when globalisation is consolidated by the government, the likelihood of incremental urban zones is highly indisputable. This can facilitate the rise of tall buildings due to technological advances and improved infrastructures.

Therefore, when the government chooses to adapt globalisation, the natural environment will be adversely affected. For instance, when the government wants to preserve the environment, economic development will be hindered. This can be perceived from the green surrounding--without factories and improved transportation facilities, and other infrastructures. Therefore, preserving the natural environment hinders economic progress in the long run. References Baum, N. (2011). Patients could use more group hugs from their doctors. KevinMD.com.

Retrieved from http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/06/patients-group-hugs-doctors.html Balko, R. (2013). U.S. countries killing the most people are good at getting death penalty, not so good at justice. Huffingtonpost. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ 2013/11/19/death-penalty_n_4275323.html Castro-Crist, A. (2013, November 22). Local experts debate death penalty. Amarillo.com. Retrieved from http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2013-11-22/ death-penalty-comparable-nazi-genocide-officials-debate-issue-ac-event Clark, M.

(2013, November 13). Analysis: Wrongful convictions sharpen focus on death penalty. USA Today. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/ nation/2013/11/13/stateline-death-penalty/3515071/ Clark, S. T. (2012, April 2). When it is ok for a doctor to hug a patient? Chicago Sun-Times.com. Retrieved from http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/health/11557385-423/when-is-it-ok-for-a-doctor-to-hug-a-patient.html Jupiter, H. (2013). 5 books about the economics and the environment. Ledger-Enquirer.

Retrieved from http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2013/12/03/2835272/ 5-books-about-economics-and-the.html N.H. church leaders issue a call to abolish the death penalty. (2013, November 12). Seacoastonline. Retrieved from http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/ 20131112-NEWS-131119956 Velasquez, M., Andre, C., Shanks, S. J., & Meyer, M. J. (1996). Thinking ethically: A framework for moral decision making. Retrieved from http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/thinking.html