The existence of humanity and ethics

Humanity and Ethics

Humanity and ethics are inextricably linked. Every society must follow a specific code of ethics to preserve social peace, stability, and a set of regulations that are important for the comfort of all members. As additional rules have been established over history, ethics has become more diversified and sophisticated. For example, the subject of whether killing an enemy is justified has been debated for decades. Presently, the question being debated is whether euthanasia is morally correct. Many previously regarded unethical activities are gradually being tolerated. Nevertheless, the theories and approaches that govern ethical behavior and moral conduct are constant to date. In this paper, I will reflect on my ethical approaches with consideration of the ethical principles and illustrations.

Ethical Conduct and Human Behavior

Ethical conduct and human behavior can be described using various ethical approaches (Velasquez et al., “what is ethics?” par. 5). One approach state that ethics relates to the well-founded standards of the right and wrong that determine what people should do. People make decisions about right and wrong in different ways (McLean, par.4). Some people are concerned about the effect of the result. If the consequence of an action is wrong, then it is something unethical to do. If doing something is against the rules, then it is unethical to do it. Also, if doing something is against one’s personality, then doing it is unethical too. As the laws and social norms can differ from the ethical rules, there is a necessity to permanently examine one’s standards to be sure that they are reasonable and well-grounded. Additionally, ethics means the continuous efforts of studying our moral beliefs and moral conduct (Velasquez par.10). Also, it means the intention to ensure that people and their institutions are shaped up to the moral standards.

The Utilitarian Approach

The ethical approach I consider to be the one that suits best to me is utilitarianism. In this approach, the most ethical action is the one that causes more benefits over harms for all who are affected by a case (Calculating Consequences par.2). If an action produces the maximum benefits for all, utilitarianism does not mind if the means to achieve the goal negatively affect some people (Velasquez et al. “A Framework for Ethical Decision Making” 9). An example of utilitarian approach is when a lecture decides to use an equal distribution curve when most people have failed a business law exam. Recently, people cover their webcams and microphones to protect their privacy. They believe they are being watched and do not accept the fact that their privacy is disturbed. Let’s look at this opinion from the utilitarian approach. Utilitarian, including me, believe there is greater good which in cyber spying by the government, even if it comes at the cost of losing my privacy. The bigger picture of this action is the provision of security to all.

An Ethical Dilemma

I can remember one situation that happened to my family years ago. My Grandmother suffered from brain stroke which led her into a comma in Iran. The family was in a dilemma to let her off the medical ventilator machine. At this point, there was a conflict of ethical approaches. Our big family couldn’t come up with a final solution. There were times that we had arguments and fights caused by our different approaches for this situation. This was a situation that ethics and emotions were all intersected. Some of us with utilitarian approach had the idea of taking off her oxygen system. Our conclusion was drawn from several facts. First, my aunt was the only one in Iran who was taking care of her in the hospital. Second, she and everyone caring about her were suffering from this situation. On the opposite side, some relatives were calling us unemotional because of our decision from the ethical approach that we had that was pro-euthanasia. We did not take the oxygen system off from her due to the decision of the majority of or family members, but I upheld my stand.

Considering Different Ethical Approaches

If I put myself into other relatives’ shoes, thinking about this situation with other ethical approaches, I can understand them. There is no right or wrong decision making when it comes to ethics. I can see the different ethical approaches to this situation. If we look at this situation from a person with the right approach, it would be the idea that it is illegal to take someone else’s life in Iran, regardless of how sick that person is. On the fairness approach, it can be argued that it is not fair to take someone’s life with the assumption of no recovery.

Utilitarianism and Decision-Making

This ethical theory proposes a quite straightforward method to decide the morally right course of action for the entire situation a person may face. To decide what should be done and what is ethically right, the various courses of an action that can be performed should be identified. The next step is the estimation in which future benefits and harms the possible actions will result into for all people (“Calculating Consequences” par.4). Among them, the action that will provide the greatest benefits with the fewer costs should be performed. No doubt that every individual is a very valuable person in a society and has some rights, but making the decision that will bring the good for the majority is the core to this idea. An example of this can be the voting system in democracy countries. The president is elected by most votes, even though there might be people who will feel harmed by this system.

Complications and Considerations

There are several complications associated with this ethical theory. First, the utilitarian calculation demands that the estimation of the consequences that are derived from a person’s actions. This proceeded together with the comparison to the consequences resulting from other possible actions. It is a complicated process with a probable error. Another complication is that utilitarianism does not consider of justice for all (“Calculating Consequences” par.8-9). In this way, an action may bring the profit but, at the same time, violate the norms. This is where I support the principal of justice as well. The justice should not be forgotten in utilitarian. Even though the utilitarian approach may harm some people, but when there is justice present in a situation, others who are not utilitarian can accept the result easily.

The Combination of Utilitarianism and Rights Approach

Utilitarianism is a philosophy of decision-making that violates justice. I believe that the absence of restrictions in such a free approach increases the risk and probability of the various errors. Therefore, together with the utilitarian view, there are several points from the rights theory in my perspective. According to the rights approach, whatever is legal is ethical. The common belief is that not all the laws are essential to be fulfilled; moreover, the utilitarian approach avoids these norms. I have the personal list of the values and norms that I am not going to violate in any case. For example, even if it is to save ten lives, I would never kill a child. Such limits enable the right decision-making in the utilitarian model and prevent from turning to into an immoral person, hence making decisions that benefit the society.

Conclusion

I consider utilitarianism as the ethical concept that reflects my ideas and notions about the decision-making process. One of the most popular philosophical questions is whether it is justifiable to kill one person to save more. According to other ethical approaches, for example, the rights approach, human life is the priceless thing, and no absolute law forbids taking someone’s life. To my mind, and to utilitarianism, it is unethical to lose many people than one. There would experience more loss if many society members were lost. A society can easily cope with losing one family member. Undoubtedly, the quality of the subjects and objects of a situation where the decision is being made is important.

Applying Ethics in Real-Life Situations

Examining the reality around me, the issues demanding to solve ethical questions arise in all areas. I noticed that it is far more challenging to find the right decision when the closest people are involved in the situation. In real estate, where disclosing all the materials have the highest value, I faced the cases when it was not preferable to disclose this information or the personal relationship to the opposite side. In such situations, the rights approach looks like a weightier argument, and this restricted me from not disclosing the relationship.

A Balanced Ethical Perspective

My ethics is a model that combines the utilitarian and rights approaches. I firmly believe that decisions should be made after the accessing of the consequences of the planned action. The utilitarian theory allows violating the laws and other norms if the result worth it. Despite the total freedom that exists in utilitarian approach, there should be checked that ensures morality and conducts stated in the right approach are respected.

Works Cited

“Calculating Consequences: The Utilitarian Approach to Ethics”, 1989, https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/calculating- consequences-the-utilitarian-approach/, Accessed 17 Apr. 2017.

McLean, Margaret. Making Decisions about Right and Wrong. Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, 2015, https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision- making/making-decisions-about-right-and-wrong/. Accessed 17 Apr. 2017

Velasquez, Manuel et al. A Framework for Ethical Decision Making. Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, 2009, https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision- making/a-framework-for-ethical-decision-making/. Accessed 17 Apr. 2017.

Velasquez, Manuel, Andre, Claire, Shanks, Thomas S.J., and Meyer, Michael J. “What is Ethics?”. Issues in Ethics, IIE, V.1, N.1, Fall 1987, Revised in 2010, https://www.scu.edu/ethics/ethics-resources/ethical-decision-making/what-is-ethics/, Accessed 17 Apr. 2017.