Posts

A634.9.4.RB - A Reflection of Our Learning

Image
Over the last nine weeks my perception of ethics has changed in certain ways, and in other ways it has stayed the same.  Nine weeks ago I would have had a hard time giving an accurate definition of ethics.  Today I would still struggle to define ethics,  although I understand more than I did a few weeks ago.  Ethics concerns the right way to act.  However, saying that ethics is the right way to act does not define it clearly enough.  I have struggled to really get a grasp on ethics, because who decides what the right way to act is?  Should society decide?  Is it up to the individual?  Is there a board that determines appropriate conduct?  There are times that society has been wrong about what is right.  For example, when slavery was generally accepted by society, that did not make it ethical.  At times it seems like we condescendingly look to our ancestors and think they were foolish and unenlightened.  How could they make such unethical decisions?  Will our descendants think the sa
Post a Comment
Read more

A634.8.2.RB - Gun Control: What is the Answer?

Image
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in December of 1791 states that “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed” (U.S. Const. amend. II).  Although parties from different sides of the debate have argued various interpretations of this constitutional amendment, the United States Supreme Court has upheld the right of an individual to keep and bear arms.  A 2008 Supreme Court case, District of Columbia vs. Heller, held that the "Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home" (as cited in Brooks, 2017, para. 14).  This controversy has heightened in recent years as high-profile mass murders and school shootings have occurred repeatedly.   The question of how to reduce firearm related deaths is co
Post a Comment
Read more

A634.7.4.RB - Egoism: Psychological and Moral

Image
Most people are not inclined to put their own needs and wants aside to satisfy the needs and wants of other people.  In fact, many people hold that people are only motivated by their own self-interest.  This is known as psychological egoism and it is “the theory that everyone’s actions are always and completely self-interested” (LaFollette, 2007, p. 272).  The theory holds that everything a person does, regardless of how noble or charitable, is motivated by the potential for some kind of personal benefit.  Even exceptionally benevolent people, Mother Teresa for example, are assumed to engage in their benevolent acts because it brings them happiness; they are therefore motivated by self-interest.  In contrast to psychological egoism, ethical egoism is a prescriptive theory that claims “that people ought to always and only act to promote their own self-interests” (LaFollette, 2007, p. 272). Although I believe that many people are primarily motivated by self-interest, I think ther
Post a Comment
Read more

A634.6.3.RB - What Are Virtues?

Image
LaFollette (2007) suggested that the best way to live a moral life is by cultivating virtues.  Aristotle thought of virtues as character traits and tendencies to act in a particular way (2018).  He thought that living a virtuous life was the key to happiness and a good life.  Additionally, Aristotle suggested that a virtuous person does the appropriate action, does it habitually, enjoys being virtuous, knows that it is virtuous, and knows why it is virtuous (LaFollette, 2007).   Benjamin Franklin had a lifelong commitment to cultivating virtues.  He developed a list of thirteen virtues that he considered were essential to virtuous living.  He also developed a chart he carried around with him that he could use to note when he had not adhered to one of the virtues.  Franklin focused on one virtue each week, so after thirteen weeks he had spent time trying to cultivate each one.  He would then start the process over again.  When Franklin began this program he made numerous marks on
Post a Comment
Read more

A634.5.4.RB - Is Marketing Evil?

Image
Most organizations exist to deliver a service or product to their customers.  That is the purpose of being in business.  Marketing is the means by which an organization can connect with their customer base.  Bonini (2012) indicated that there are 4 core objectives to a successful marketing campaign: building brand awareness, engaging with the target audiences, generating customers and sales, and proving industry expertise.  Expertly created marketing campaigns are memorable and create a feeling that is associated with a product.  Those who grew up in the 80s and 90s as I did will never be able to hear “Just Do It,” “You quiero Taco Bell,” or “They’re Grrrreat!,” without thinking about Nike shoes, Taco Bell, or Frosted Flakes.   Organizations have to walk a fine line when it comes to marketing.  They must balance the business need to generate revenue with the ethical demands of honesty and integrity.  Some organizations have crossed the line; they have used dishonesty and unfairne
Post a Comment
Read more