Ethical Perspectives

Ethical Perspectives

Obligation/ deontology means a person avoids acts inconsistent with free/ rational thought (Kant). The largest score I received was in the Obligation category. In this part of the inventory, it is stated that I base my ethical perspective on an individual�s duty or obligation to do what is morally right –principles that represent what rational persons ought to do. I must choose how I am going to act and what rules I am going to follow. Those rules must be (a) appropriate under any circumstance (universalized); (b) respectful of human dignity; and (c) committed to promoting individual freedom and autonomy (Kent and Rawls). My ethical style is the belief that all human beings have intrinsic value. People have the right to respect. I believe that people should be able to make their own choices within legal and humane limits. I do advocate policies that ensure equal respect and opportunities for all.

Results/utilitarianism is the effect or conclusion of a matter and utilitarianism the greatest happiness of the greatest number (Merriam-Webster). It is the consequence actions that are the means to assess (Foucault). It was this goal of ethics that most closely aligned in philosophy with a utilitarian theory for my ethical perspectives (Bentham and Mills). The report states that I base my ethical perspective on the results or consequences of my actions. I do believe that conduct should be directed toward promoting the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Actions speak louder than words. My ethical style believes that all people have the right to experience the a good quality of life. If he or she is unhappy, there must be something morally wrong and needs to be fixed. I also believe that if a better environment is created, that people can enjoy learning and working together for the betterment of society. My ethical style demands that I achieve measurable results.

Ethical Perspectives

Equity/relativism is the state of being equal, and the ethical truths being held by an individual or group. Equity is justice according to natural law or right; freedom from bias or favoritism (Merriam-Webster). My ethical perspective on ethics according to the EAI is that I base ethics on a concern for the instability of knowledge, the lack of individuals who can truly qualify as expert in the discernment of what is right and what is wrong and the uncertainty of human judgment. I am a realist! I see things as they really are and I deal with them sensibly. I am also a minority that lives in a country that struggles with racial division which means I have some distrust of the motives of individuals involved concerning moral issues. This category is mostly aligned in philosophy with a postmodern theory of ethics according to Foucault and Harvey. The inventory states my ethical style is a belief that there are no absolute standards of right and wrong in which I totally disagree with. I often find my self on the fence with a lot