Navigating Ethical Dilemmas: A Guide

Today, we venture into a realm filled with moral complexity and ethical dilemmas. We’ll take a close look at scenarios that test our moral compass and compel us to weigh the implications of our decisions.

Ethical Theories

Let’s start by acquainting ourselves with two significant philosophical theories: Utilitarianism and Deontological Ethics.

Utilitarianism

The Utilitarian theory, known for its consequentialist stance, posits that the morality of an action depends solely on its outcome. The philosophy “swallows” the idea that an action is right if it leads to the greatest amount of happiness overall, even if the action itself might seem objectionable at first glance. This theory often requires us to act in ways that may understate certain moral concerns in the pursuit of overall happiness.

Deontological Ethics

In contrast, Deontological Ethics adheres to a more rigid moral framework. It asserts that certain actions are inherently right or wrong, regardless of their outcomes. Deontological theory doesn’t easily accept actions that breach its principles, even if they may lead to greater happiness.

Applying Theories to Real-Life Situations

Now, let’s discuss two situations to test these theories.

Situation 1: The Bank Robbery

Suppose you hunt down information that a bank robber donated all stolen money to charity. You’re not personally acquainted with them, but you have their name and address. The utilitarian might argue that the robbery, while initially objectionable, resulted in a substantial increase in happiness as it benefited those in need. However, a deontologist would maintain that the act of robbery itself is unequivocally wrong, regardless of where the money ended up.

Situation 2: Office Honesty Box

Imagine an office scenario where a colleague persistently takes snacks from the ‘honesty box’ without paying. This situation is puzzling, but it’s not justifiable to let the individual continue without addressing the issue. A utilitarian might argue that directly confronting the colleague might lead to discomfort and decrease overall happiness. However, adopting a lax approach or choosing to understate the situation could pave the way for more such instances, undermining the system’s integrity.

From a deontological standpoint, the colleague’s conduct is clearly wrong and needs to be addressed, regardless of potential discomfort. This might involve a direct conversation, setting up a reminder, or discussing the matter with HR. Even if it momentarily causes distress, it reinforces the principle of honesty, which is of paramount importance.

Vocabulary

Let’s take root in our English-learning journey by understanding some key vocabulary used in this post:

  • Swallow (verb): To accept or tolerate something reluctantly.

  • Conduct (verb): To organize and carry out; to behave in a specified way.

  • Weigh (verb): To assess the nature or importance of, especially with a view to a decision or action.

  • Paternalism (noun): The policy or practice on the part of people in authority of restricting the freedom and responsibilities of those subordinate to or otherwise dependent on them in their supposed interest.

  • Objectionable (adjective): Arousing distaste or opposition; unpleasant or offensive.

  • Understate (verb): To describe or represent (something) as being smaller or less good or important than it really is.

  • Rigid (adjective): Unable to bend or be forced out of shape; not flexible; (of a person or system) unwilling or unable to change; fixed and invariable.

  • Hunt down (phrasal verb): To search determinedly for someone or something.

Conclusion

Understanding these ethical theories and applying them to real-life situations helps us navigate the complex terrain of moral dilemmas. In essence, neither utilitarianism nor deontological ethics are inherently superior; they simply provide different frameworks for moral reasoning.

Remember, ethical dilemmas are not meant to have clear-cut solutions, and it’s okay if your perspectives shift as you gain more insight and experience. The goal is not to always know the ‘right’ answer but to foster a robust understanding and respect for different viewpoints.

Do you have any real-life dilemmas you want to share? How do you think utilitarianism or deontological ethics would apply in those situations? Leave a comment and let us know!

Practice

Now let’s put these words into practice. Here are some sentences with missing words. Try to fill in the blanks using the words we’ve learned in this post:

  1. The company had to __ its pride and apologize for the error.
  2. The school aims to instill good __ in its students.
  3. It’s essential to __ the pros and cons before making a decision.
  4. The government’s __ is causing discontent among the citizens.
  5. Many people find his behavior __.
  6. The report seemed to __ the severity of the issue.
  7. His __ adherence to the rules sometimes made him unpopular.
  8. The police are trying to __ the missing evidence.

The words to use are: swallow, conduct, weigh, paternalism, objectionable, understate, rigid, hunt down. Try to match each word to the appropriate sentence.

Leave your completed sentences in the comments. We’re here to help you in your English-learning journey!

English Learning Journey is a blog dedicated to making English learning accessible, effective, and fun. It regularly posts tips, tricks, and strategies to improve language proficiency and cultural understanding.