Assignment 1

ASSIGNMENT 1

04/15/2023

1. DEFINITION OF ETHICAL THEORIES

SUBJECTIVE RELATIVISM• We each create our own morality where we decide

our understanding on what is right and what is wrong• It is always about “me” but still considers others• Example: I think it’s immoral for a student to copying

the assignment from other student. I think it is an unethical. You don’t think that. That’s just your opinion; let’s agree or disagree.

Cultural Relativism

• What is right and what is wrong depends on the society’s guidelines.

• One society may say an action as right at one time and wrong in another society or in another time.

• Example: Family kills a women family member who is raped in Somalia, herein Malaysia it is totally wrong to kills someone

Divine Command Theory• Have their own moral guidelines to follow.• Obliged to follow God because they believe

that it holds morality according to God’s will.• Based on obedience not the reasons

Ethical Egoism• It is all about “me”, not considers about others• The community can benefit when individuals put their

well-being first• Example: A person starting up a bakery in town where

there is none. The individuals sees an opportunity to make profit, by selling bread, in a town with no, or very little competition. In effect he has captured the market and is able to make a lot of money by pursuing his own self-interest. The town however gains the resource of bread and through his specialisation into one field he can produce the goods more efficiently than other members of society could if they were to make it for only themselves

Kantianism• Moral action that is performed because of the sense of

duty which action that is based on “This is what I has to do”, not based upon feelings or pity.

• Motive is the most important thing in Kantianism in determining the morality.

• Everyone should be treated as an ends and never as a means.

• If you inclined to do something, your action is immoral.• Example: If a building is on fire, it is your duty to save

people inside even the people inside are murderers. You would save the people for the sake of saving them and no other reasons

Act Utilitarianism• Figure out the consequences and then

determine the action was right• It is a good action if it brings more benefit to

the majority of people• Concerned with short term consequences• Example: You go in to save someone and the

end up drowning. By following act utilitarianism, the action is wrong because the consequences was bad and give sorrow to majority of people

Rule Utilitarianism• Deals with the desire of actions to produce more pleasure and

the least amount of pain• The correctness of rules depends on the amount of good it

brings about when followed and vice versa. • Concerned with long term consequences• Example: A friend comes to your door and asked to be hidden

so they are not killed.• You then hide them in the basement and there is a knock at the

door and it is the person who is looking for you friend. They ask if your friend is hiding here. Based on rule utilitarianism, choosing to tell the truth even though it leads to bad consequences. Thinking long term because lying is always wrong to do and leads to negative consequences

Social Contract Theory• Is more on a government concept which is a

basic rules for a government where it is the consent given by the people.

• Persons morality is depends on a contract and agreement among them all to form the society

• Example: The first people in the area of North America that is now the US had to sign a social contract to start making laws.

2. If you as a group had to choose only one of the ethical theories and use it for all of your personal ethical decision-making, which theory would you choose? Why?

In our group we would follow Kantianism theory for decision making. This is due to action will be taken on underlying principle which the moral worth of any action is judged. According to this theory, universalizing a maxim or statement will lead to being valid. We will see on the whole and whats our duty. All we see is that on our action which is good or bad which purely depends on the reason. Through this theory we also show our common sense views on the good and bad depends on rational action.Regarding this theory,we a act in a way that we give priority to humanity be it in our own person or other person. Whatever decision or action taken must be rational as the act will be part of the universal so we will think widely upon any decision. We will have a goal when taking decision.

3. People give a variety of reasons for copying a music CD from a friend instead of buying it. Refute each of the reasons given below using one of the theories described.

a. Ethical Egoismb. Act Utilitarianismc. Subjectived. Kantianism Relativisme. Rule Utilitarianismf. Social Contract Theoryg. Cultural Relativism

4. The morality of Mary is wrong. At first they are supposed to do their own work but John was asking for the answer from Mary and she responded to John by giving him the answer. Mary influenced John by getting lazy to do his own work. Second, they are free to consult their lecture notes and the textbook while taking the quiz but they both breached the rules by discussing and exchanging the answers. Mary should not give John the answer as the instructor has explained the rules of the quiz. In conclusion, Mary's action is totally wrong and she should reject John's request for answer and let him to do the quiz by himself as the quiz can be repeated as many times as they wish.

04/15/2023