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Ethical Theories & Dilemmas

Examine different frameworks for moral reasoning (e.g., utilitarianism, deontology) and apply them to complex ethical problems.

Study Notes

Navigating Right and Wrong: Ethical Theories & Dilemmas

Ethical Theories and Dilemmas examines different frameworks for moral reasoning, such as utilitarianism and deontology, and applies them to complex ethical problems to guide decision-making. It explores how these theories provide distinct approaches to determining right and wrong, and tests their application in real-world scenarios, fostering a deeper understanding of moral philosophy and its practical implications.

Components of Ethical Theories & Dilemmas

This section breaks down the core frameworks and applications of ethical reasoning:

Utilitarianism: A consequentialist theory that evaluates actions based on their outcomes, aiming to maximize overall happiness.
Deontology: A duty-based theory that focuses on the morality of actions themselves, emphasizing rules and obligations.
Virtue Ethics: A character-based approach that prioritizes moral virtues, like courage and honesty, in decision-making.
Ethical Dilemmas: Complex moral problems where theories are applied to weigh conflicting values and determine the best course of action.

Examples of Ethical Theories & Dilemmas

Utilitarianism Examples

A utilitarian approach to a city’s budget might prioritize public healthcare over a new park, as it benefits more people’s well-being.
In a trolley problem, a utilitarian would pull the lever to save five lives at the cost of one, maximizing overall happiness.
A company decides to reduce emissions, as the long-term benefit to the environment outweighs short-term profit losses for stakeholders.

Deontology Examples

A deontologist refuses to lie, even to protect a friend, because honesty is a moral duty, regardless of the consequences.
In a medical scenario, a doctor follows patient confidentiality rules, not disclosing information, as it’s their ethical obligation.
A person returns a lost wallet, adhering to the principle of respecting others’ property, even if no one would know they kept it.

Virtue Ethics Examples

A virtue ethicist acts with compassion, volunteering at a shelter, because it reflects their character trait of kindness.
Facing a moral choice, a leader demonstrates courage, speaking out against injustice despite personal risk, embodying virtuous behavior.
A friend practices honesty, admitting a mistake to a colleague, as it aligns with their commitment to virtuous living.

Ethical Dilemmas Examples

In a self-driving car dilemma, should the car save the driver or a group of pedestrians? Utilitarianism might prioritize the group, while deontology might focus on the driver’s rights.
A journalist faces a dilemma: publish a story that exposes corruption but endangers a source, or withhold it? Deontology emphasizes source protection, while utilitarianism weighs public good.
A doctor must decide whether to allocate a scarce organ to a young patient or an older one with a better match. Virtue ethics might prioritize fairness, while utilitarianism considers overall life years saved.

Worksheet Exercises

Ready to practice Ethical Theories and Dilemmas concepts? These prompts are crafted for our worksheet tools, with varied formats to keep learning engaging:

Generate a quiz with multiple-choice questions to identify theories, like 'What theory prioritizes overall happiness? (Utilitarianism/Deontology).'

Generate a fill-in-the-blank worksheet with ethical scenarios, e.g., 'A deontologist refuses to lie because honesty is a ___ (moral duty).'

Create a word sort activity categorizing examples like 'pulling the lever in a trolley problem' and 'acting with compassion at a shelter' into utilitarianism or virtue ethics.

Make flashcards pairing concepts like 'deontology' and 'ethical dilemmas' with examples, such as 'doctor following confidentiality' and 'self-driving car saving driver or pedestrians.'

Create a crossword puzzle with clues for terms like 'maximizing happiness in utilitarianism' and 'courage in virtue ethics,' tied to their roles in ethical reasoning.

Ethical Theories & Dilemmas

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