Ethics and Virtue

Ethics

The idea of virtue ethics is relatively simple-“we become good by doing good” (p. 98). By conducting ourselves in a particular manner that causes good in the world and in life it causes us to become good people, therefore ethical people. Ethical acts transform people into ethical beings. This approach to ethics focuses on the character of the person making the decision, rather than the decision itself. Individualism focuses more on what the individual forms as their own code of ethics.

Care ethics looks at empathy and emotions when formulating an ethical foundation. It incorporates these emotions with the utilitarian perspective to use our feelings with what works best for the group. This is an ethical theory that I find intriguing because it is permitting some subjective elements into this realm of thought. Utilizing and valuing our emotions and feelings is positive, however cannot fully dictate what is ethical because then the basis would be too broad. Incorporating the feelings with the utilitarian perspective enables some level of subjectivity, but also tightens the range so that most people are close in their personal ethics.

Social contract ethics states that those involved in the moral contract are those who the moral consideration is applied to. Those who have not committed to the contract are not subject to being held accountable to it or protected by it. Utilitarians state that all who are affected deserve moral consideration, and often times it can involve humans as well as animals. Eastern views, such as Buddhism, state that all living creatures deserve moral consideration. Jainists extend this to involve root crops as well, as the plant has to be killed in order to consume the crop. Darwinism limits moral consideration to only humans; simply only those “who have moral capacities and are ends in themselves” (p. 143).

In respect to moral consideration, my belief is that anything with a heartbeat deserves moral consideration. Even though animals cannot make moral, ethical decisions, they still are eligible to receiving our moral approaches to decision making. For example, if I saw a dog wandering around in the field behind my house, I would feel ethically obligated to do something about it. I would either call the humane society, take the dog to the shelter, or adopt and feed the animal. Just because the animal does not specifically make moral decisions does not mean that I cannot and should not provide the dog with moral consideration from my end. This is an ethical approach that I believe should be adopted by everyone. We are all creatures on earth and should be bound to looking out for one another. If a being, such as an animal, is not capable of doing so, then it makes it our ethical burden to do what we can for them in order to assist in their survival.

To discuss a recent environmental dilemma, the first incident that comes to mind is the most recent oil spill that is occurring right now in the Gulf of Mexico. Not only is the oil spill a direct result of human interaction with the environment, but it is also impacting the way of life for many people who reside in the Gulf areas. All of the animals, the fishermen, the residents, and all other impacted life forms deserve our moral consideration because this environmental disaster directly impacts everyone. Those who depend on the fish and seafood in that area will not be able to earn the money they typically would during this time of year. The animals are in distress due to the oil covering the animals, their homes, and their food. The residents along the coasts are at risk of contamination and potential life-long health issues as a result. We have a moral obligation to do what we can in order to help reduce the negative impact this BP oil spill has already caused on the environment and everyone who lives near it.

The utilitarian and care ethics approach requires that we take action in this oil spill. Not only is it in the best interest of the majority of people in the world, but it also causes direct harm to the environment and the wildlife that depends on a safe, clean home to live in. As an individual, the only thing that can be done at this time is to ensure that future situations like this can be prevented by protests, legislative actions, and community education. In order to help prevent future spills, we must prepare ourselves in order to try to wean off of our oil dependence, work on limiting where we drill, and pre-plan how we will take care of the oil spills if/when they occur in the future.

On a side note, my family purchases Dawn dish soap which is used in helping clean oil and debris off of wildlife in situations like this. By supporting a great company who is environmentally aware, I can have a small hand in helping restore healthy life for those living in the Gulf region. 

 

Reference:

Waller, Bruce N. Consider Ethics: Theory, Readings, and Contemporary Issues. Pearson Custom

Publishing: New York, 2005.