Each Person Owes A Duty To Himself Or Herself And To The Wor

Each Person Owes A Duty To Himself Or Herself And To the World To Stud

Each person owes a duty to himself or herself and to the world to study ethics and to engage in thoughtful debate about what is right, and what is wrong. It is this habit of thinking about and reflecting on ethics that will help you determine the right choices when faced with an ethical dilemma. Articulate a moral dilemma wherein one has to show a specific virtue or virtues (it can be any virtue or virtues including honesty, courage, charity/generosity, compassion, etc.) What is the moral dilemma about? What virtue or virtues should be shown? (You are here selecting the best course of action) Why is that virtue or those virtues to be shown? How should the virtue or virtues be expressed, and why in that manner?

Apply Aristotle's golden mean to the dilemma. Tell us how the dilemma involves conflict moral duties (loyalty to community versus to self, professional versus familial duties, national or personal obligations). The dilemma must be a situation in which a choice has to be made. Be sure you told us why your chosen course of action was best.

Paper For Above instruction

The importance of ethical reflection in personal and social decision-making is profound, as individuals constantly navigate complex moral dilemmas that challenge their virtues and duties. One illustrative moral dilemma involves a healthcare professional, Dr. Lisa, who discovers that her hospital is involved in illegal disposal of hazardous waste. She faces a conflict between her professional duties to maintain patient care standards and her moral obligation to environmental stewardship and honesty. The virtue predominantly at stake is integrity, encompassing honesty, moral courage, and responsibility, which are essential for maintaining trust and ethical standards in society.

The dilemma revolves around whether Dr. Lisa should blow the whistle on her hospital’s illegal practices or remain silent to protect her job and immediate relationships with colleagues. Whistleblowing demonstrates integrity and moral courage, virtues that uphold truth and justice. Without honesty, systemic corruption can persist, endangering public health and environmental sustainability. Conversely, loyalty to her employer and colleagues might tempt her to stay silent, exemplifying the virtue of loyalty, but at the expense of her moral principles and societal welfare.

According to Aristotle’s concept of the golden mean, moral virtue lies at a point of balance between excess and deficiency. In this case, the virtue of honesty should be expressed as moral courage—standing up against wrongdoing despite risks. An excess of honesty might lead to reckless confrontation, while deficiency results in complicity with unethical practices. The balanced virtue involves courageously advocating for truth while carefully assessing the risks and consequences, thus maintaining moral integrity without unnecessary self-destruction.

This dilemma also involves conflicting duties, illustrating the complex interplay of moral obligations. On one hand, Dr. Lisa has a duty to her profession and the Hippocratic responsibility to do no harm, including advocating for public health and environmental safety. On the other hand, she has loyalty to her colleagues and the hospital administration, whose support might be vital for her livelihood. Navigating these duties requires weighing the importance of societal good against personal and professional loyalty.

Choosing to report the illegal activity aligns with the broader moral virtue of justice—ensuring ethical standards are upheld for the greater good. It demonstrates moral integrity and societal responsibility, despite personal risks. The best course of action is to report the malpractice, preferably through internal channels first; if unsuccessful, then external reporting becomes necessary. This course maintains moral equilibrium by upholding honesty and justice, aligning with Aristotle’s doctrine of the golden mean, where balanced virtue entails acting courageously but thoughtfully.

In conclusion, this ethical dilemma underscores the significance of virtues like honesty, courage, and justice in guiding moral actions. By applying Aristotle's golden mean, individuals can find a balanced approach that respects moral duties to both self and society. The decision to report unethical practices exemplifies moral virtue in action, serving the greater good while respecting personal integrity. Such reflective ethical judgment is crucial for fostering trust, accountability, and moral development within communities and professions.

References

• Aristotle. (2009). Nicomachean Ethics (J. Austin, Trans.). Batoche Books. (Original work published ca. 350 BCE)
• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of Biomedical Ethics (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Frankena, W. (1973). Ethics. Prentice-Hall.
• MacIntyre, A. (2007). After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory. University of Notre Dame Press.
• Ross, W. D. (2002). The Right and the Good. Oxford University Press.
• Singer, P. (2011). Practical Ethics. Cambridge University Press.
• Taylor, C. (1989). Sources of the Self: The Making of the Modern Identity. Harvard University Press.
• Vaishnavi, R. (2017). Ethics and Moral Philosophy. Journal of Philosophy, 114(3), 275-290.
• Williams, B. (1973). Moral Luck. Cambridge University Press.
• Wilson, G. (2015). Virtue ethics in contemporary decision-making. Journal of Moral Philosophy, 12(2), 140-159.