Identify And Explain One Scenario In Which

Scenario Descriptionidentify And Explain One Scenario In Which Someon

Identify and explain one scenario in which someone breaks a promise. (Respond in your own words; you are not required to cite a resource for this response. Recommended response length is 1-3 sentences.)

Virtue Ethics (You are required to cite a resource from Units 2, 3, and 4 readings and presentations for these responses.) Identify what a virtue ethicist will say is morally right or wrong to do in the example of breaking a promise you provided. Should you break the promise from a virtue ethics perspective? (1-2 sentence response recommended) Explain what reasoning a follower of virtue ethics would use to determine the right thing to do based on that system's core principles (e.g., telos, virtue, and eudaimonia). (4-6 sentence response recommended)

Kantian Ethics (You are required to cite a resource from Units 2, 3, and 4 readings and presentations for these responses.) Identify what a Kantian ethicist will say is morally right or wrong to do in the example of breaking a promise you provided. Should you break the promise from a Kantian ethics perspective? (1-2 sentence response recommended) Explain what reasoning a follower of Kantian would use to determine the right thing to do based on that system's core principles (e.g., goodwill, duty, impartiality, and reciprocity). (4-6 sentence response recommended)

Utilitarian Ethics (You are required to cite a resource from Units 2, 3, and 4 readings and presentations for these responses.) Identify what a utilitarian will say is morally right or wrong to do in the example of breaking a promise you provided. Should you break the promise from a utilitarian perspective? (1-2 sentence response recommended) Explain what reasoning a follower of utilitarian ethics would use to determine the right thing to do based on that system's core principles (e.g., welfarism, impartiality, sum-ranking, consequentialism). (4-6 sentence response recommended)

Paper For Above instruction

Breaking promises is a common scenario that reveals deep moral considerations. Suppose an individual promises a friend to attend their wedding but then receives an urgent work obligation that conflicts with this commitment. The person faces the dilemma of whether to honor the promise or prioritize work responsibilities, which might significantly impact their career or job security.

Virtue Ethics Perspective

From a virtue ethics standpoint, breaking the promise may be viewed as morally wrong because it compromises virtues such as honesty, integrity, and fidelity. A virtue ethicist would argue that one should aim to cultivate virtues that promote trustworthiness and loyalty, which are essential for personal and societal harmony (Hursthouse, 1999). Therefore, from this perspective, breaking the promise would generally be considered immoral unless doing so aligns with virtues like compassion or prudence in exceptional circumstances. The reasoning hinges on the idea that acting virtuously involves developing a character that fosters eudaimonia, or human flourishing, which entails honoring commitments unless doing so directly conflicts with the cultivation of virtuous traits or the greater good.

Kantian Ethics Perspective

Kantian ethics emphasizes duty and the moral law as dictated by rational will. According to Kant, breaking a promise is morally wrong because it violates the principle of universalizability—if everyone were to break promises, trust would collapse (Kant, 1785). Kantian ethics advocates that individuals should act according to maxims they can will to become universal laws, which necessitates keeping promises out of duty and respect for persons as ends in themselves. Therefore, even if breaking a promise might lead to greater outcomes, a Kantian would argue that one must fulfill commitments because duty requires unwavering adherence to moral law, including honesty and fidelity—independent of consequences.

Utilitarian Ethics Perspective

Utilitarianism assesses morality based on the consequences of actions, seeking to maximize overall happiness and reduce suffering (Mill, 1863). From this viewpoint, breaking a promise could be justified if doing so results in greater happiness—for example, if breaking the promise alleviates a significant burden, prevents harm, or promotes the well-being of many. Conversely, if honoring the promise fosters trust and leads to more long-term happiness, then keeping it would be morally correct. A utilitarian would analyze which action produces the greater balance of pleasure over pain, considering all affected parties (Singer, 2011). Thus, whether to break the promise depends on a careful calculation of the likely outcomes and which choice maximizes happiness in the broader context.

References

• Hursthouse, R. (1999). On Virtue Ethics. Oxford University Press.
• Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals. (translated by Mary Gregor, 2002). Cambridge University Press.
• Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism. Parker, Son, and Bourn.
• Singer, P. (2011). Practical Ethics. Cambridge University Press.