Create A Personal Ethical Philosophy And Explanation ✓ Solved

Create a personal ethical philosophy and explain from whi

Required Resources: Read/review the following resources for this activity: Textbook: Chapter 13, Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook).

Initial Post Instructions: Create a personal ethical philosophy and explain from which philosophy or philosophies (it must include at least one of the following: virtue ethics, Kantian ethics, utilitarianism, virtue ethics, or social contract ethics) you created it and why the contents are important and meaningful for you. List its precepts. Take your personal ethical philosophy statement and use it to work through John Doe's case. What is moral and immoral per your theory? How would the veil of ignorance or a different theory of justice address John Doe's case?

Reference: Rachels, S., & Rachels, J. (2019). The elements of moral philosophy (9th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

Paper For Above Instructions

Ethical philosophy is a reflection of our values and beliefs, guiding our behavior and decision-making processes. In this paper, I will craft a personal ethical philosophy rooted in utilitarianism and virtue ethics, exploring how these frameworks influence moral judgments. I will delineate the core precepts of my ethical philosophy and apply it to John Doe's case to determine what is moral and immoral based on my definitions. Furthermore, I will analyze how the concept of the veil of ignorance, proposed by John Rawls, can provide additional insights into John Doe's situation.

Personal Ethical Philosophy

Utilitarianism, primarily associated with philosophers like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, posits that the morality of an action is determined by its consequences. The central tenet of utilitarianism is the "greatest happiness principle," which asserts that actions should aim to maximize overall happiness while minimizing suffering. In conjunction, virtue ethics emphasizes the importance of character and virtues in moral philosophy. Associated with Aristotle, virtue ethics teaches that cultivating personal virtues leads to a flourishing life.

My personal ethical philosophy is synthesized from both utilitarian and virtue ethical frameworks. The precepts of my philosophy are:

1. The consequences of an action are paramount in assessing its moral value.
2. Actions should aim to maximize happiness and minimize suffering for the greatest number of people.
3. The development of personal virtues such as honesty, compassion, and integrity is essential for moral decision-making.
4. Individuals have a responsibility to act in accordance with their virtues in all areas of life.

This dual approach is significant to me because it recognizes both the outcomes of actions and the importance of moral character. While I believe that the end can justify the means in certain situations, I also value the transformative power of virtues in fostering ethical behavior and personal growth.

Application to John Doe's Case

In applying my ethical philosophy to John Doe's case, a predetermined set of moral questions must be addressed. John Doe is faced with a moral dilemma involving a decision that could result in significant harm or benefit to several parties. Utilizing the utilitarian approach, I would analyze the consequences of his action to determine whether it leads to the greatest happiness. If John Doe's choice minimizes suffering for the majority while promoting overall well-being, it would be deemed moral within this framework.

Simultaneously, applying virtue ethics, I evaluate the character traits that John exemplifies through his decision-making process. If he acts with virtues such as compassion and integrity, it reinforces the morality of his choice, regardless of the potential consequences. Therefore, my determination of moral or immoral actions depends on a balance between outcomes and virtue.

The Veil of Ignorance and Justice

The veil of ignorance is a concept introduced by John Rawls in his work on political philosophy, arguing that when designing a just society, one must do so without knowledge of their own social status, abilities, or personal interests. This thought experiment compels individuals to develop principles of justice that ensure fairness and equity for all members of society.

When applying the veil of ignorance to John Doe's case, it requires us to suspend personal biases and evaluate the situation objectively, considering how diverse stakeholders might be affected by the course of action. If John Doe were making decisions from behind the veil, he would consider the implications of his actions on all those involved, aiming to create an outcome that ensures fairness and equality among all parties, rather than catering to his self-interest or the interest of a select few.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my personal ethical philosophy, forged from utilitarianism and virtue ethics, serves as a robust framework for moral reasoning. By applying these principles to John Doe's case, I'm able to assess the moral landscape effectively while prioritizing character and virtues alongside consequences. Incorporating the veil of ignorance further enhances the ethical consideration of justice, demanding impartiality and fairness in decision-making. This multifaceted approach highlights the complexity of moral dilemmas while underscoring the importance of crafting ethics that pursue both personal growth and collective welfare.

References

• Rachels, S., & Rachels, J. (2019). The elements of moral philosophy (9th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
• Bentham, J. (1789). An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation.
• Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism.
• Aristotle. (2009). Nicomachean Ethics (M. Ostwald, Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
• Rawls, J. (1971). A Theory of Justice. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.
• Hursthouse, R., & Pettigrove, G. (2016). Virtue Ethics. In E. N. Zalta (Ed.), The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2016 Edition).
• Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals.
• Nussbaum, M. C. (2011). Creating capabilities: The human development approach. Harvard University Press.
• Sandel, M. J. (2009). Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do? New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
• Scanlon, T. M. (2003). What We Owe to Each Other. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.