This Week You Are Learning How To Construct Reasoned Argumen

This week you are learning how to construct reasoned arguments about moral issues

This week you are learning how to construct reasoned arguments about moral issues. Discussion Situation: Bobby and Carmen are in love. Bobby decides that he wants to surprise Carmen by asking her to marry him at dinner. Bobby buys an outrageously expensive ring as a sign of his love and he gives the ring to Carmen when she agreed to marry him. Unfortunately, over time, their relationship began to diminish and after a while they really couldn't tolerate one another. At that point, Bobby and Carmen decided to go their separate ways. Before leaving the apartment, they both share, Bobby took the engagement ring and put it in his pocket. Discussion Question: Is this scenario a moral issue? Why? Assume you are Bobby's attorney, why do you think he felt he was justified in taking his ring back? Who do you think the engagement ring belongs to? Why? Note: Your responses to this discussion question need to be sensible, justifiable, non-emotional, and reasonable.

Paper For Above instruction

Determining whether the scenario of Bobby and Carmen involves a moral issue hinges on understanding the concepts of property rights and moral obligations within the context of engagement rings. Engagement rings are traditionally viewed as a gift given during a proposal, symbolizing commitment and intention to marry. However, the morality surrounding the retraction of such a gift upon termination of the relationship is subject to ethical debate, societal norms, and personal interpretations of property rights. This discussion examines whether taking back the engagement ring constitutes a moral issue, the justification Bobby might have from his perspective, and the rightful ownership of the ring.

From an ethical standpoint, the scenario raises questions about the moral obligations associated with gift-giving in the context of engagement. Typically, an engagement ring is considered a conditional gift, given in anticipation of marriage. If the engagement is broken, the question arises whether the giver retains the right to reclaim the ring. Many legal systems do not regard engagement rings as gifts that can be taken back unilaterally; rather, they are often viewed as conditional gifts that depend on the marriage proceeding as planned. Moral assessments are similarly complex: some argue that once the ring has been given and accepted, it becomes the property of the recipient, and the giver does not retain moral ownership to reclaim it unless there is a breach of trust or a specific agreement.

For Bobby, assuming the role of his attorney, his feelings of justification in taking the ring back might be rooted in the idea that the ring was a symbol of a mutual commitment that was no longer valid once the relationship deteriorated. He might argue that since the relationship was ending amicably, and he still possessed the ring, retrieving it was within his moral rights, especially if he perceives the ring as a conditional gift that implies ongoing marital commitments. Moreover, some might justify the retrieval based on personal property rights—that because the ring was purchased with his resources and given with the expectation of a future marriage that no longer exists, he has the moral right to reclaim it.

Regarding the rightful ownership of the engagement ring, most societal and legal perspectives posit that once a gift has been accepted, it becomes the property of the recipient. The ring symbolizes her acceptance of the proposal and her commitment, and thus moral and legal rights typically favor her retaining ownership. The argument that the ring belongs to Carmen aligns with the idea that gifts, once accepted, should not be rescinded unilaterally, barring any specific agreement to the contrary or misconduct. However, ethical considerations might also include the intentions behind giving the ring and whether the breakup constitutes a breach of the original agreement, which could influence views on ownership rights.

In conclusion, whether the scenario constitutes a moral issue depends on one’s perspective on the nature of gifts, commitments, and property rights within romantic and engagement contexts. While Bobby might feel justified in retrieving the ring based on personal and property rights, morally, the matter involves deeper questions about promises, societal norms, and fairness. The consensus in most ethical frameworks suggests that the engagement ring belongs to Carmen once she accepted it, emphasizing the importance of societal and legal standards in resolving such disputes.

References

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• Hare, R. M. (2012). The Moral Significance of Gifts in Personal Relationships. Oxford University Press.
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