Normative Ethics - Essay Example

Normative Ethics Normative theory revolves around the philosophies of moral guidance. It comprises the moral standards of people, the general moral principles and the judgment that acts as a basis for how people behave. It is what we depend on when making moral judgment and acts as a critical thinking guideline towards understanding people’s behavior. There are dilemmas associated with normal daily living that cannot be avoided. To solve such dilemmas requires an appeal to the constructs related to existing theories. The normative theories are broken down and are three basic theories that guide on how people live. The consequential framework that speaks of the moral rightness of an action or wrongness of an action depends on the consequence of an individual’s actions or results. With the deontological duty framework, that determines its moral rightness/wrongness of an action basing on the intrinsic features of an action or rather the intention of an action (Thomas, 2011). For any action to be termed as morally good it is never enough that it should conform to the existing moral law; it has to be and must be done the moral laws sake. Then we have the virtue framework does it hold or stick to the available virtues and its bases are on the character. All the three are very vital when it comes to ethical decision-making process since they give some clear guidance. The problem comes in when these actions misalign with each other. What is expected of individuals when faced with this challenge? Decisions about doing the right thing and doing the wrong thing are part of the daily life. It is, therefore, the concern of ethics to ensure it covers all aspects of life. Decisions about right and wrong can be very critical and confusing causing a big dilemma on life aspects. The paper focuses on the dilemma that coincides with the duties, consequences and virtues articulating the issues that surrounds it and how one can go about it. Trained ethical individuals are in a better position to make the best ethical decision unlike others who may be faced with a dilemma makes an unethically informed decision. For instance, an incidence where you are supposed to make a decision but then it does not align with the duties virtues and consequences of your choices (Star, 2015). For example, if you are a teacher, and a student comes to you and confesses to written a letter of abuse to the authorities. The principal says the student one discovered will be expelled from the school. You being the class teacher the student come to you and report that he made the mistake and asked you not to tell the authorities lest he is expelled from school. The moral dilemma is that it is your duty as the teacher to report the student to the authorities and once you report the consequences will harm the student. As a class teacher and a guiding and counseling person, the student chose to confide in you because he knew that you would give him proper guidance. Should you report and cause harm to the student or will keep quiet yet it is your duty or will you betray the confidentiality of the boy and set him, interfering with the basic principles such as beneficence? Another good example, you are a doctor, and a patient’s caretaker requests you to withdraw a life support machine since they are unable to cater for the increasing bills. As a doctor, you know very well that the patient may not survive but have to keep him on the machine. It is your duty to respect the patients principle of autonomy yet the patient is not conscious to give consent, if you don’t withdraw life support it will do harm to the family since they are in financial crisis, your virtues cannot allow for the act. What do you do as a doctor? What you need to do is to recognize the ethical issue at hand considering the involved parties. You ensure you gather all the information needed then formulate an action considering all the available alternatives. Make a considerable decision and act on it reflecting on its outcome (Paley & Liberty Fund, 2002). Another scenario to consider is the ethical challenges with disasters. Some examples of these disasters include terrorist bombing like 911, school shootings like Virginia Tech, and natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina and Super Storm Sandy. There are many agencies in place to handle the disaster like the CDC, Federal Emergency Agency, American Red Cross and Homeland Security. Natural disasters are inevitable, so these disaster relief agencies have predefined protocols in place to keep the most efficient and effective resolution within reach. The healthcare system and the government have specific plans of action, but not all actions are accepted as ethical. Furthermore, opposing ethical viewpoints challenge these protocols in special regard to the process of disposal of the victims. There are advantages and disadvantages of the normative theories. The consequential framework can focus on the consequences of actions; therefore, preventing further mistakes. This structure is best suited for a larger group of people who benefit from these actions as a whole. Although it is an advantage sometimes, it is not easy to predict the consequences of particular actions. When considering most people, the action may favor one group and leave out the other, in other words,some may not benefit as much as the majority. The duty theories create an advantageous system of rules and responsibilities that are quite consistent with the people’s expectations (Star, 2015). Despite bad results, it provides the basis of one having acted morally, therefore, defending some individuals who may face a dilemma. It is limited since it does not provide a way of determining the kind of duty to be followed if presented with conflicting obligations. The virtue framework has its advantage in that it takes into account all human experience parts and edifies an individual’s character; therefore, meeting human’s expectations. It is limited when it comes to solving disputes since disagreements may arise concerning the virtue issue. The hedonism theory as a traditional theory focuses on the maximum good and happiness. If an action brings the maximum happiness to the greatest majority, then we should settle for it. If life support machine withdrawal brings relief to the family and maximizes happiness, then it can be applied. According to deontological theory rightness of any form of action depends on its consequences and as humans we have the duty to respect other people’s right and not to harm or kill them. We also have to stick to keeping promises and never to lie to other. The traditional theory poses a great challenge to society. For instance, the doctors action of withdrawing the machine is going against the moral duty of respecting life and assuming what the caregiver requests is disrespect of the rights of the caregiver hence a great dilemma for the doctor. Saving the family from a huge accumulation of bills is a great idea and saves not only the family but the society in which the patient comes from. The teacher has to stick to his promise of keeping the students secret as a moral duty yet he has to play his role as a teacher on duty. If the teacher keeps his promise it means the student is safe which a great positive consequence. Sometimes the theories are virtually in human, for example, the deontological theory that does not consider the aspect of other individuals but rather the positivity of consequences. References Paley, W., & Liberty Fund. (2002). The principles of moral and political philosophy. Indianapolis, IN: Liberty Fund. Star, D. (2015). Knowing better: Virtue, deliberation, and normative ethics. Thomas, A. (2011). Normative ethics. New York: Oxford University Press. Read More