Final Blog

(1) Question:



Do human beings have a natural tendency to good, a natural tendency to evil, or some combination of tendencies? What are the implications of the answers for ethics?




(2) Conceptual Clarifications:

• Tendency: a proneness to a particular kind of thought or action.

• Good: of a favorable character or tendency.

• Evil: imputed bad character or conduct.

• Implications: a close connection, a logical relationship between two propositions in which if the first is true the second is true also.

(3) Answer:

I believe that we as humans, most people have a natural tendency to do good and a natural tendency to do evil. Also a combination of both because a man can be evil and corrupt or good and somewhat perfect. Sometimes it does depend on the type of mood, the person can be in or what has happen in their lives. To me to be evil, it takes a lot of extra negative energy to perform evil tasks. Motivational factors or the driving force for evil is a person’s mindset, their environment or just the people they associate themselves with. There are people who were raise to do everything in a mean-spirited way. I always felt that you have a choice to be evil or good, but if you were raise to do evil, it becomes a way of life for you. So to me, that causes implications for being ethical with your actions. Because you are so accustom to being evil, that when someone is being good, it’s hard to recognize because you feel that they have another motive. Most people I know have a tendency to do good, and they choose that route over evil. First of all, it’s easier to be good, to treat people right but we all make mistakes, and that’s when we can have the tendency to do evil. As far as being ethical on what’s good and evil who determines that? We don’t always know how someone may perceive something, so I believe that this determination is in the eyes of the beholder.


(4) Example:

Being a student at any college you are expected to do what’s good. But some students may have a tendency to do evil. Working hard on homework, going to class, studying for test, is what is expected of each student because these things represent a good student. But then there are the students that are plain lazy, and they have plans of their own such as plagiarism. And plagiarism is an evil task, not to mention unethical, they belief that it’s an easy way out, but like I stated before it takes extra negative energy to do evil versus doing good.

(5) Word Count:
525



(6) Image:

(7) References:
1. Ruggiero. (2008). Thinking Critically About Ethical Issues. McGraw Hill.
2. Tigerblade.net/journal/01/23/good-vs-evil

(8) Extra Credit: Already Submitted

Assignment #10

Ethical Decision Making Framework

FOCUS: IDEALS

NAME: Paula

STEP ONE: THE DETAILS OF THE CASE

(1) Choose one inquiry, from inquiries 1 - 28 (pages 114 - 117). Indicate which inquiry you chose, and then briefly explain it in your own words: A Boy gets an expensive toy and gives it to a friend who seems poor.
(2) Stakeholders: Tom, Tom's Parents and the friend.

(3) Are the details given sufficient? Why or why not? No, Tom assume the boy was poor or did he know?

(4) What additional questions does this inquiry raise? Does Tom always does things like this? Or do he only give to the less fortunate?

STEP TWO: THE RELEVANT CRITERIA1. Obligations (aka "duties"): Optional this week
2. Moral Ideals (aka "virtues"): See breakdown of ideals below
3. Consequences (aka "outcomes" or "results"):
Optional this week

NOTE: Not ALL of the following ideals will apply! Only consider the main ones that you believe apply, in the inquiry you chose. Don't just pick the easy ones to consider, because you didn't take the time to thoroughly read the chapter and learn what each one of these actually means. I will quiz you when we do group work on Thursday.*
Cardinal Ideal/Virtue of Prudence:*
Cardinal Ideal/Virtue of Justice:*
Cardinal Ideal/Virtue of Temperance:*
Cardinal Ideal/Virtue of Courage:* Tom gave his toy away and did not know how his Parents was going to react.
Cardinal Ideal/Virtue of Loving Kindness:* He gave it to him because he was his friend.
Cardinal Ideal/Virtue of Honesty:*
Cardinal Ideal/Virtue of Compassion:* Because the boy did not have a toy.
Cardinal Ideal/Virtue of Forgiveness:*
Cardinal Ideal/Virtue of Repentance:*
Cardinal Ideal/Virtue of Reparation:*
Cardinal Ideal/Virtue of Gratitude:*
Cardinal Ideal/Virtue of Beneficence:*
Conflicting ideals--consider the relative importance of each; determine which ideal represents the greater good (or the lesser evil).Because the boy did not have a toy, having compassion and the courage because he did not ask his parents, meant more to him.


STEP THREE: POSSIBLE COURSES OF ACTION
Alternative

#1: Tom could of gave him another toy.
#2: Or if Tom had money he could of bought him a toy.
#3: Tom should of ask his parents first

STEP FOUR: THE MOST ETHICAL ACTION
Examine the action taken or proposed and decide whether it achieves the greater good (the most widespread "respect for persons")...if it does not, choose one that will, from your alternatives. Where the choice of actions is such that no good can be achieved, choose the action that will result in the lesser evil.
Tom should of showed more respect to his parents and asked first because he did not know what they went through to get that toy for him. However tom did it out of the kindness of his heart, which is compassion. (This idea is a sentiment that occurs in response to other people's suffering, emotional as well as physical.) page 109. I believe he may of felt that his parents would be happy with his decision.
.
Make sure you cite specific passages from the book and/or chapter, which helped you arrive at your conclusion...thus proving to me you read this book.

SELF EVALUATION
1. In your own words, describe something new that you learned from this week’s assigned reading material and guidance. Well, what I have realized this week was how much I have learned being part of this class and these assignments.
2. In your own words, describe in detail some insight you gained, about the material, from one of your classmates' blogs this week. "Mck Ethics", well what I've learned was how much the majority of us think alike.
3. Did you post a thoroughly completed post to your blog on time this week? No, because when I went to post on Wednesday evening my computer crash and I had to wait until Thursday afternoon to post my material.
4. Did you ALSO print this out, so you can bring it to class and earn total points? Yes, I will.

5. Of 25 points total, my efforts this week deserve: I am a little late because my computer crash and I could not post by the deadline, however, I applied myself and did the work. So I'll say what ever you decide because it is your decision. Of course I would give myself the whole 25 points.

Posted by PurpleBike at 11:37 PM 0 comments

Assignment #9 Part Three

ASSIGNMENT PART THREE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. In a nutshell, what is the most important thing, for you, that you learned from this assignment?

Well we all have alot of obligations to deal with on an everyday bases and how we make decisions everyday that are vital to our everyday living. It seem like nothing because we are so accustom to doing it but one wrong decision can change our lives forever.


2. How will you apply what you learned through this assignment to your everyday life? To be careful in our decision making because it could be life altering.


3. What grade do you believe your efforts regarding this assignment deserve? Justify your answer. I believe I. deserve the full points because I answer to the best of my ability.

Assignment #9 Part Two

ASSIGNMENT PART TWO
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Briefly answer the following "chapter opening" questions, in your own words, based on what you learned by studying chapter eight:


1. What do we do in situations where there is more than a single obligation? When there is more than 1 obligations we should choose the most important one or the one that is best suited for you at the time.

2. How can we reconcile conflicting obligations? Well you need to choose wisely and as wisely as you can. First I guess you should pick the priority of each situation and the one that's more beneficial.

Assignment #9

ASSIGNMENT PART ONE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------In this section, we're going to return for a moment to Chapter 7, to the section that discusses errors that are common in the analysis of moral issues (p. 89). Breifly explain each of the following errors in your own words, as if you were explaining the concept to a friend who had never taken this class (consider who, what, when, where, why, how, when); and then give an example of each one, preferably from your own past experience.

Unwarranted Assumptions: An unwarranted assumption is basely when we hear something other then what is ask. For example if a question is asked of us such as "what are you studying in college?" and you say "well I wanted to take Ballerina....but". You need to be a good listener so that you can be a good answerer.

Oversimplification: In my opionion, it is when you try hard to simplify to the point where you cause misconception or misrepresent, mostly not meaning to but to the point that only you understand it.

Hasty Conclusions: is when you are quick to respond to something or quick to judge a decision just based on how you feel.

Asssignment #4

Part 2 & 3


Role of Majority Views:

In my view of the majority views, basely is when you make a decision to be part of the majority. Which means your answer can go either way, but we need to make moral decisions and our own decisions. And we need to justify our decision based on moral and ethics.

Arguable Issue: The arguable issue is whether or not the majority views is a reliable basis for ethical decision making.

Conclusion: Majority views is a reliable basis for ethical decision- making
Premises: And the reason majority views is a reliable basis for ethical decision is because
(1) Most people make good decisions
(2) When you make a decision morally or ethical it's usually fair
(3) Everyone will not agree always so there will be a majority

The Role of Feelings

People's feelings are the way they feel at that particular time and is subject to change based on what ever is going on at that time. People usually have the same feelings but react differently.

Arguable Issue: Whether or not our feeling are a reliable basis for ethical decision making.

Conclusion: No, our feelings are not a reliable basis for ethical decision making.
Premises: No, our feelings are not a reliable basis for ethical decision making.
(1) Feelings change all the time, so it would not be reliable.
(2) Every one's feelings is different
(3) And because our feelings change it influence our decisions.

Assignment #4

Part 1


1. What is the relationpship between Religion and Ethics?

The relationship between religion and ethics is they both is based pretty much on moral beliefs and/or moral opinions. Or some would say revelation and reason. With religion the belief is that God reveals things about life and our behavior. Ethics consists of standardsof behavior our society accepts.

2. The online resource related to this topic comes from
http://www.rootsandrooted.org/?p=84. What I've learned about this topic The relationship between religion and ethics is that they both have some of the same components, however it could very from religion to religion. I had never thought about it in that way. The different religions made it very interesting, how they vary from one to another.


Arguable Issue: Whether or not ethics and religion beliefs are complementary?
Conclusion: Religion and Ethics are complementary.
Premises: And the reason why they are complementary are.
(1) Both are used as a way of life
(2) Both deals with feelings of right and wrong
(3) Both can support each other in the way of opinions.

Assignment #3

1. Explain what “to give an argument” means in this book.

To give a set of reasons or evidence in support of your conclusion. So basically he wants you to view arguments as details with support. It seem like when it comes to an argument you are always trying to prove your point and that takes supporting facts.



2. What are the reasons Weston gives in support of his claim, “arguments are essential”?

Because you may really need a strong point of view to support and be convincing of your argument. He feels that everyone views are different from each others. Arguments are essential because it helps you defend your position on why you choose that position.


3. Explain why many students tend to “write an essay, but not an argument”.

Maybe because they don't understand the difference between the two, so what they feel is an argument is actually an essay. Sometimes because they make statements, based on their own views and can't support their views.


4. Construct two short arguments (one "for" and one "against") as modeled in the Week 3 Assignment section in Blackboard. Put each one in "elements form".

Arguable Issue: Should a couple live together and not get married?

Conclusions: It's okay to live together.

Arguable Issue: Should a couple live together and not get married?
Conclusions: It's okay to live together

Premises: It's not okay to live together because

(1) It's not consider respectful
(2) There is no legal binding of the union.
(3) It's easy to walk away from.




5. Review the seven rules in chapter one. Briefly discuss how your argument demonstrates that each rule was applied, in the construction of your arguments above.

After looking over each of the rules, I feel that I applied them correctly in my 2 short arguments because rule #1 was applied and i used a distinguish premises and conclusion. Rule #2 was presented in a natural order. Rule #3 came from reliable premises. Rule #4 was concrete and concise. Rule #5, I avoided loaded language. Rule #6 I used consistent terms and Rule #7 I stuck to one meaning for each term.





6. Review the three rules in the appendix named, “Definitions”. In your own words, discuss how you took these rules into consideration as you constructed your arguments.

Because I was clear to the reader and didn't use undefined words. Also I did not let definitions do the work of arguments. My conclusion was mainly on the premises for support.

7. Good posts demonstrate:
Sincere reflection, effort, and analysis
Answers that are substantial (at least one large paragraph each)
Consistent mention, citation, and integration of the assigned readings (explained in YOUR own words, though)
Correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation
Correctly titled posts!
How many points do you honestly feel your post this week deserves? Justify your answer.
Well I answer the questions as well as I could, I sorry but I have had alot of things going on. So therefore the whole 25 points, please.

Assignment #1


1. How would you explain the meaning of the term "ethics" before taking this class?
To me it means being fair in all my decisions, whether it is business or personal. Deceiving people is very much unethical in any situation.



2. That are some of your deepest held values?

Having a loving family, being honest, being loyal as well as trustworthy.



3. What are some of the main principles you try to live by ?

Once again being honest, loyal and trustworthy is just so important. Because at the end of the day all we have is our word, and if you can't be taken by your word it just seem me meaningless.



4. What moral qualities do you look for in others?

A person who's family means alot to them, a person who values marriages, and once again a honest, loyal and trustworthy person.



5. How were your values and principles developed?

They were taught to me, as I was being raised by my parents.



6. How have your values and principles changed through out your life so far?

Not much, I still live by the same values and principles but only now, as an adult it's how I want to live and not because my parents said so.



7. Out of 25 points how much do you feel your work on this assignment deserves? Justify your answer.
Well I believe you wanted an honest opinion and that's what I gave you. So, I feel I should get the 25 points.