Weeks 6-7 Worksheet - Haley Morris
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Wilmington University *
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Philosophy
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Feb 20, 2024
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PHI 300 Weeks 6-7 Worksheet: Developing Your Moral Code
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Developing Your Moral Code by Applying Moral Theory in Real Life
In your textbook, Ethics for Life
, by Judith A. Boss, the author points out that “morality is not a simple concept that can be captured in a nice tidy theory; it is a multifaceted concept.” Neither is morality “merely consequences [as in Utilitarianism] or merely duty [as in Deontology] or merely having good intentions.” (Boss 2019, p. 10). We also must use reason and creativity
in decision-making which, as W. D. Ross claimed, is “more
like creating a work of art than solving a mathematical equation” (p. 432).
In this assignment, you will demonstrate that you understand moral theories, and will describe how you might
apply them to your moral development and decision-making. You will also analyze and discuss your moral development, using “stage theory,” and will explore both your greatest strength and greatest weakness in terms of the “doctrine of the mean.”
Read the Afterword on pages 430-432 in the textbook.
Review the definitions of the nine moral theories.
Please save this document to your computer so that you can type directly into the chart below.
1)
Chapters 4-12 of your textbook each present one of nine distinct moral theories. Name each theory, and
in your own words
, write a brief explanation (2-3 sentences) for each theory
:
1.
Ethical Subjectivism: Ethical Subjectivism is the idea that our moral opinions are based on our feelings and nothing more. On this view, there is no such thing as "objective" right or wrong.
2.
Divine Command Theory: Divine Command Theory includes the claim that morality is ultimately based on the commands or character of God or God’s Will. The morally right action in this case would be the one God commands or requires. 3.
Cultural Relativism: It is the view that ethical and social standards reflect the cultural context from which they are derived. Cultural relativists uphold that cultures differ fundamentally from one another, and so do the moral frameworks that structure relations within different societies.
4.
Ethical Egoism: It is the normative theory that the promotion of one's own good is in accordance with morality. In the strong version, it is held that it is always moral to promote one's own good, and
it is never moral not to promote it.
5.
Utilitarianism: It
is an ethical theory that determines right from wrong by focusing on outcomes. Utilitarianism holds that the most ethical choice is the one that will produce the greatest good for the greatest number.
6.
Natural Law Theory: It is a theory of ethics that says that human beings possess intrinsic values that govern our reasoning and behavior. It states that there are universal moral standards that are seen across time periods and societies because these standards form the basis of a just society.
7.
Deontology: It
is an ethical theory that says actions are good or bad according to a clear set of rules. Its name comes from the Greek word Deon, meaning duty. Actions that align with these rules are ethical, while actions that don't aren’t.
8.
Rights Ethics: They are ethics most important to human rights. human rights are the ultimate appeal, and it should be respected. Human rights are entirely different from legal rights. A few examples of human rights are freedom of speech, freedom of expression and right to privacy.
9.
Virtue Ethics: One of the oldest ethics in the world, with origins dating back to Ancient Greece. It defines good actions as ones that display embody virtuous character traits, like courage, loyalty, or wisdom. A virtue itself is a disposition to act, think and feel in certain ways.
PHI 300 Weeks 6-7 Worksheet: Developing Your Moral Code
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2)
Pick ONE
of the theories above that you think has the greatest number of weaknesses. In 3-
5 sentences
, describe what you see as the problems or weaknesses with that particular theory.
The theory that I believe to have the greatest number of weaknesses is The Divine Command Theory. Divine
command supports the possibility of God being able to command abhorrent acts if he so chooses, which would mean for example murder, rape, and genocide would be morally acceptable and can simply be excused as Gods will. Then there is the question that many have if God if exist. If God does not exist, then morality would not exist on the basis of the Divine command theory. This theory has always been the most problematic to me since learning about it. 3)
Pick the TWO
moral theories that most appeal to you. Describe why
and how
you believe each of those theories might be workable for you. Write one paragraph of 3-5 sentences for each
of your two choices
.
The two moral theories that most appeal to me would be Utilitarianism and Virtue Theory. Why Utilitarianism appeals to me so much is because its core idea is that whether actions are morally right or wrong depends on their effects. More specifically, the only effects of actions that are relevant are the good and bad results that they produce. Utilitarianism is more society centered and has more value care for the greatest welfare for the greatest number of human beings. Why Virtue Theory is so appealing to me is because it helps us understand what it means to be a virtuous human being. it also gives us a guide for living
life without giving us specific rules for resolving ethical dilemmas. 4)
Describe a scenario that you are in currently (or have been in recently) that requires moral judgment. This might be something major (like whether to leave your spouse) or relatively minor (like how to handle a friend who texts you too much). Describe the situation in 3-5 sentences.
A scenario that I am going through right now that has required my moral judgment is my friend owing me money. We went to Walmart, and she did not have her card and Apple Pay does not work there so I paid for
her stuff because she claimed she would pay me back. She only owes me $35 but I do not want to be taken for granted. 5)
The following response should be at least 8-10 sentences. (Write enough to demonstrate that you can use moral theory, combined with reason, logic, and creativity, to resolve a moral dilemma.)
Discuss how you handled
(or plan to handle) the situation you described above:
o
If the situation has already been resolved, think back and analyze
which moral theory (or theories) came into play
(whether you realized it or not) as you made your decision. What
were the strengths and weaknesses of your process? o
If the situation you described above has yet to be resolved, discuss which moral theory (or theories) might be useful in finding a resolution. What are the strengths and weaknesses to consider in the process you will use?
This situation has yet to be solved, it has been over two weeks since that day. I have texted her for the money and she told me she did not have it, but she will once she gets payed. I have no idea when that will be considering she is an unemployed full time college student. A moral theory that might help me resolve
PHI 300 Weeks 6-7 Worksheet: Developing Your Moral Code
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this situation is possibly Utilitarianism. If she is low on money, I can help her out and simply wait until she does get payed for her to pay me back. Once again it is only $35 so it won’t do much damage to me. Some strengths and weaknesses of using utilitarianism in this situation is a weakness could be I am putting my trust out there to potentially be broken. Another weakness is that it is going to take a lot of time till it is finally resolved, and I get my money back. A strength would be that I help my good friend out and we don’t get into an argument over money and how I might not trust her to pay me back. Another strength is that it seems to be the simplest option to just wait. 6)
In 8-10 sentences
, analyze your
moral development and decision-making in terms of Lawrence Kohlberg’s or
Carol Gilligan’s theories (Boss, 2019, Ch. 3, pp. 90-98)
At what stage do you see your moral development now or in the past?
What do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of your belief system now or in the past?
How can you address any weaknesses in your moral decision-making?
How can you build on your moral strengths?
I see myself in now would be Carol Gilligan’s theory call “care perspective”. Care perspective is one who concerned for themselves and others, accepting and responsibility within relationships, attachment, and self-sacrifice. The stage I see myself in now is the Post-conventual Stage which is described as mature care ethics and entails myself being able to care for my own needs and the needs of others. The strength of my belief system now is I do a lot for myself, I make sure at the end of the day I do what makes me happy and what benefits me all while still being able to care for other needs. A weakness of my belief system now is sometimes you can get very caught up in caring for another needs, like my boyfriend for example he has been going through a rough time, so I am there for him a lot, but I tend to forget my own needs such as putting off many important doctor’s appointments. How I can address any weakness is creating a balance between myself in others and that it is okay to not always be right there for someone. How I can build on my moral strengths is really focusing on what makes me happy and others. I have found that a good balance
of both and setting limits to each really help. 7)
Consider the “doctrine of the mean” (Boss 2019, Ch.12, pp. 400-402). Write 5-7 sentences
in response to the following:
What is your greatest virtue? Does this virtue fall somewhere between “deficit and excess”? (Refer to Ch. 12, Table 12.1, p. 401 for examples.) What is your greatest vice? Would you describe it as a deficit or an excess? How might you begin to change this vice into being more of a virtue (or at least, into less of a vice) by moving it closer to the mean? My greatest Virtue has always been honesty. Honesty falls between deficit and excess in the mean. My greatest vice can be laziness. I would describe Laziness as a deficit, but my “laziness” can sometime be because of my health issues and depression. I do not believe that I can change it into a virtue, but more of be less lazy. Some things I can do to be less lazy (which I am doing) is going to the doctors to get all my health issues fixed and simply to getting up and giving myself rewards like iced coffee for the small thing I do. 8. Which of the concepts that you learned in this course have made the greatest impact on the way you think about your moral reasoning and decision-making, your moral development, or your moral code in general? Explain and give examples. If the answer is “none,” explain why, and discuss what alternate concepts work for you. Write 8-10 sentences
.
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PHI 300 Weeks 6-7 Worksheet: Developing Your Moral Code
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I believe that all the concepts I have learned in this course has definitely made an impact on the way I think about my moral reasoning, decision making, moral development, and moral code. The one that stood out to
me the most was defiantly Utilitarianism. Before this course I knew of Utilitarianism but not what it entails, now learning about it I see that a lot of my decision making in the past and now has been very Utilitarianism. Why it is the one I use the most is because it determines right from wrong by focusing on the outcome. I am a person who is always thinking about outcomes and who or what it effects. I also want my actions to be good and not be a cause for unhappiness in myself or others. If I cause unhappiness in others, it deeply upset me and I start thinking about what I could have done better.