The Good Life: The Final Graded Assignment Is An 8-10 033519

The Good Life The final graded assignment is an 8-10 page paper on the question: what is the good life?

The final graded assignment is an 8-10 page paper on the question: what is the good life? This assignment will be completed in four parts, so you may want to use section headers to organize your paper. This paper is somewhat cumulative, so you may need to review material from previous weeks to prepare for this essay. Remember to explain the theories you reference with supporting citations to the textbook and online lectures before contrasting them in correct APA format. You may want to use examples to illustrate your understanding of key ideas in each theory.

Use this APA Citation Helper as a convenient reference for properly citing resources. Address the following in your paper: The Consequentialism Debate: Compare and Contrast deontology and utilitarianism. Briefly discuss the differences between Bentham and Mill’s versions of utilitarianism. Discuss the political and ethical implications of utilitarianism. Explain virtue ethics and care ethics and discuss how these approaches offer an alternative to the deontological and utilitarian focus on how we should act. Explain existential ethics and briefly discuss the role of free will in ethical decision making. The explanation of existentialism should discuss the following ideas: authenticity, ambiguity, freedom, anxiety, and bad faith. Illustrate the theories discussed with examples, including situations relevant to your current or future career. Use the following textbook as your main reference: Mitchell, H. B. (2015). Roots of Wisdom: A Tapestry of Philosophical Traditions, 7th edition. Cengage Learning, ISBN

Paper For Above instruction

The quest to understand "the good life" has been central to philosophical inquiry across ages, encompassing diverse perspectives that examine what constitutes a meaningful, ethical, and fulfilled existence. In this paper, we explore several ethical theories and debates—namely consequentialism, deontology, virtue ethics, care ethics, and existential ethics—to articulate a comprehensive understanding of what it means to live well. These approaches are analyzed critically, with emphasis on their foundational principles, implications, and practical applications, especially in contexts related to current or future careers.

Consequentialism: Utilitarianism Versus Deontology

Consequentialism is an ethical framework that judges actions based on their outcomes or consequences. The most prominent form of consequentialism is utilitarianism, which posits that the morally right action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or utility (Mitchell, 2015). This approach is often contrasted with deontology, a normative perspective that emphasizes the inherent morality of actions themselves, regardless of their consequences.

Utilitarianism, as articulated by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, differs primarily in their conceptualization of utility and the scope of what counts as happiness. Bentham’s version is hedonistic, focusing on the balance of pleasure over pain, viewing happiness as a quantifiable and measurable state (Mitchell, 2015). Bentham’s utilitarian calculus aims for the greatest happiness for the greatest number, often emphasizing collective welfare. Mill, however, distinguishes higher and lower pleasures, arguing that intellectual and moral pleasures are superior to physical pleasures and advocating for a qualitative approach to utility (Mitchell, 2015). Mill also emphasizes individual rights, which can sometimes conflict with aggregate happiness.

The political and ethical implications of utilitarianism include its influence on public policy, emphasizing utilitarian calculus in decisions such as healthcare, criminal justice, and economic reforms. However, critics argue that utilitarianism can justify actions that infringe on individual rights if they produce a greater overall happiness, raising concerns about justice and minority rights (Singer, 2011).

Virtue Ethics and Care Ethics: Alternatives to Act-Based Ethics

Virtue ethics, rooted in Aristotelian philosophy, centers on the development of moral character rather than adherence to rules or calculation of outcomes. It emphasizes virtues such as courage, temperance, and wisdom, which enable individuals to flourish and lead fulfilling lives (Mitchell, 2015). Unlike deontology and utilitarianism, virtue ethics focuses on what kind of person one should be, fostering moral development over time.

Care ethics, emerging from feminist philosophical thought, emphasizes relationality, empathy, and caring as fundamental moral considerations (Mitchell, 2015). Care ethics criticizes the impersonal nature of utilitarianism and deontology, advocating instead for a morality rooted in relationships and contextual understanding. This approach highlights the importance of attentiveness and responsibility to others, offering an alternative that prioritizes human interconnectedness and emotional engagement.

Existential Ethics: Freedom, Authenticity, and Anxiety

Existential ethics examines the individual's role in defining their own values and moral responsibilities amid life's inherent ambiguity. Central to existentialism are concepts such as authenticity, freedom, and anxiety. Authenticity involves living in accordance with one’s true self and values, resisting societal pressures (Mitchell, 2015). The idea of freedom is pivotal, emphasizing that individuals possess the capacity and responsibility to choose their paths, even amid uncertainty.

However, this freedom can induce anxiety—a recognition of the immense responsibility and the unpredictable nature of existence—which existentialists term "existential anxiety" (Heidegger, 1962). Bad faith refers to self-deception or denial of this freedom, often manifesting in conforming to societal expectations at the expense of authentic living (Sartre, 1943).

In practical terms, existential ethics invites individuals to confront life's ambiguities deliberately and responsibly. For example, a future healthcare professional might face decisions about patient autonomy, balancing medical advice with respect for individual choices—their moral responsibility entails authentic engagement and acknowledgment of life's inherent uncertainties.

Illustrative Examples and Practical Implications

Applying these theories to real-life situations underscores their relevance. In healthcare, utilitarian principles might prioritize interventions that save the most lives, while virtue ethics would emphasize the moral character and compassion of healthcare providers. Care ethics could focus on building empathetic relationships with patients, prioritizing relational well-being over strict rules (Mitchell, 2015). An existential approach might inspire professionals to reflect deeply on their motives and authenticity in difficult ethical dilemmas, such as end-of-life decisions, emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility and sincerity.

Conclusion

The exploration of these diverse ethical frameworks reveals that the concept of "the good life" is multifaceted, integrating outcomes, character, relationships, and existential authenticity. While consequentialist approaches like utilitarianism focus on societal welfare, virtue and care ethics highlight moral development and relational responsibilities. Existential ethics, meanwhile, challenges individuals to confront life's inherent ambiguities with authenticity and freedom. Together, these perspectives enrich our understanding of ethical living and offer valuable insights for personal and professional conduct.

References

• Heidegger, M. (1962). Being and Time. Harper & Row.
• Sartre, J.-P. (1943). Being and Nothingness. Routledge.
• Mitchell, H. B. (2015). Roots of Wisdom: A Tapestry of Philosophical Traditions (7th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Singer, P. (2011). Practical Ethics (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
• Annas, J. (2011). The Morality of Happiness. Oxford University Press.
• Williams, B. (1973). Utilitarianism: For and Against. Cambridge University Press.
• Nussbaum, M. (2001). Upheavals of Thought: The Intelligence of Emotions. Cambridge University Press.
• Held, V. (2006). The Ethics of Care: Personal, Political, and Global. Oxford University Press.
• MacIntyre, A. (2007). After Virtue. University of Notre Dame Press.
• O’Neill, O. (2002). Boundaries of Trust: Methods, Markets and the Social Phantasm. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 8(3), 567–579.