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Pro/Con/Neutral Characteristics for Ethical or Conceptual Models
Three theories: A philosophical overview
Consequentialism (Egoism or Utilitarianism)
Pro: Often, individuals must choose between two imperfect alternatives. For example, in the current healthcare debate, inevitably there will be some limitations on access to healthcare, even if the system remains the same -- or whether the nation adopts a single-payer model. Choosing the best for the greatest number of people is one equitable way to make difficult moral decisions.
Con: Utilitarianism sacrifices minority rights for the sake of the majority. Simply because there is 'more' of a particular social group does not mean that the minority's interests are less legitimate than that of the majority's: consider the plight of African-Americans in the Southern states during most of American history.
Neutral: Utilitarianism was created by Jeremy Bentham as humane alternative to the more rigid moralistic codes that existed previously, as a rational way of organizing society and allocating punishment.
Rights theory (Social contract or Kant's moral imperative theory)
Pro: This encourages moral scrupulosity and fairness, by acting as if important moral actions set the law for all time, regardless of the situation or how many people are influenced by the action.
Con: This approach can be excessively rigid and fail to take into consideration social nuances
Neutral: Kant, the developer of the categorical imperative and the founding father of this ideology, saw his view as a kind of middle path -- he did not believe that all actions set moral laws for all time, but that some types of moral principles should remain inviolate.
Virtue ethics or human nature moral theory
Pro: This stresses the need to be a good person, to make good moral decisions. It focuses on the good that 'doing good' can provide both for the actor and the subject of moral decision-making.
Con: Good people, even when they believe they are doing the right thing, can engage in actions that have very negative moral consequences.
Neutral: Virtue ethics has come into prominence in recent decades, perhaps because of the increasing focus upon the 'self' in modern culture, and one's moral character being equated with one's psychology vs. The sum total of one's actions.
As a consequence, it is difficult to conclude that strict liabilities for gun owners (a la LaFollette) represent and appropriate and reasoned response. "Gun ownership fails to clearly possess any of the three characteristics of ultra-hazardous activities." It fails to be an activity that is not commonly done, that necessarily involves a risk of serious harm, and that cannot be made safe even with extreme care (Hunt, 2001: p.
Under these circumstances, an ethical dilemma is born. Should society control its development or leave it to chance? And in the case that it should control it, which categories should it help? If the person in the above mentioned example is helped, we could assume that in a certain way, the person who was not helped because he or she already disposed of the necessary means, the latter one might
SEXUALITY IN SCHOLARLY & POPULAR MEDIA Sexuality in Scholar & Popular Media The author of this report has been asked to review articles regarding sexuality. Two articles were selected in total with one appearing in a scholarly journal while the other appeared in a more mainstream and non-academic periodical. While one medium of communication and media is not necessarily superior to the other, is still beyond question that the standards, aims and
Genetic screening is one of the most controversial topics in the scientific arena today. The advent of the Human Genome Project, which maps the complete human genetic code, has brought this issue to the forefront. This paper will discuss the basic science that underlies genetic screening, applications of genetic screening, and investigate some of the common misconceptions and ethical questions about its use. Genetic screening itself is simply "the systematic search
Meta-Analysis Technique for Nuclear Energy and Waste Disposal and Create Social Sustainability A Dissertation Presented using the Meta-Analysis Technique Komi Emmanuel Fiagbe Gbedegan Christina AnastasiaPH-D, Chair [Committee Name], [Degree], Committee Member [Committee Name], [Degree], Committee Member Date Approved Komi Emmanuel Fiagbe Gbedegan, 2016 This research proposal explores the link between public perceptions of nuclear power, how those perceptions are formed, and what influence those opinions have on energy policy. These issues are important in light of two realities.
moriks58: Please Work on Chapter 1 and chapter 2 only "Management Strategy to utilize Meta-Analysis Technique for Nuclear Energy and Waste Disposal and create Social Sustainability A Dissertation Presented using the Meta-Analysis Technique Komi E Fiagbe Christina Anastasia PH-D Chair [Committee Name], [Degree], Committee Member [Committee Name], [Degree], Committee Member This research proposal explores the link between public perceptions of nuclear power, how those perceptions are formed, and what influence those opinions have on energy policy.