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Making Ethical & Moral Decisions

Now that you and the members of the community action group have received a crash course on the foundations of ethics, explored how different ethical perspectives view social issues, and have addressed your group dynamics, it is time for the action group to make and justify its decisions. Revisit your selected social issue and review the specific challenge the action team has been tasked with addressing.

Select an ethical or moral approach from the text (e.g., ethical egoism, deontology, utilitarianism, relativism, universalism, divine command theory) to resolve the moral dilemma caused by the social issue in the scenario you select below. You will propose a solution and discuss how your ethical approach contributes to your proposed decision. Remember, you are making an ethical or moral argument, and your decision should not be based solely on religious beliefs, although they may be a factor in your ethical perspective.

Complete Parts 1–4 below.

Making Ethical & Moral Decisions

Part 1:

Read the following scenarios that relate to contemporary social issues:

Social Issue 1: COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates 

Imagine you are the CEO of a company with 76 employees. The federal government recently mandated that all businesses with over 100 employees must require their employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and provide documentation of vaccination status. You want to provide a safe working environment for everyone, so you are considering requiring your employees to get the vaccine; however, many of them have expressed reluctance to do so, for a variety of reasons. Some employees have indicated they would be quit their jobs if they are required to get vaccinated. What decision would you make and why? Be sure to include relevant details from the ethical perspective you select and discuss how that perspective informs your position.

Social Issue 2: Legalized Marijuana

Imagine you are the CEO of a large construction company. One of your company policies is that all job candidates complete a pre-employment drug screening. Recently, your state legalized both medical and recreational marijuana. Will you continue to require your employees to pass a pre-employment drug screening, or will you change this policy? What decision would you make and why? Be sure to include relevant details from the ethical perspective you select and discuss how that perspective informs your position.

Making Ethical & Moral Decisions

Social Issue 3: Reproductive Rights

Imagine you live in a state that is trying to restrict reproductive rights that are legal under federal law. You have the opportunity to vote on a proposition to either preserve or restrict reproductive rights, including abortion, in your state. Before voting on this issue, you have spoken with individuals representing various perspectives. You’ve heard from doctors who work at clinics in your state, so you are aware of the challenges individuals face regarding access to reproductive care as well as barriers/guidelines for those seeking to terminate a pregnancy. You have also spoken with local groups who oppose reproductive rights, including abortion, based on a variety of concerns. How would you vote on this proposition and why? Be sure to include relevant details from the ethical perspective you select and discuss how that perspective informs your position.

Identify which of the above 3 social issue scenarios you selected.

Identify the ethical/moral theory (e.g., ethical egoism, deontology, utilitarianism, relativism, universalism, divine command theory) you will use to address your selected social issue. Provide a brief definition and description of the theory and its primary components:

Making Ethical & Moral Decisions

Part 2:

Structure your moral argument according to the steps below. Your argument should focus on the social issue and ethical theory you selected. Refer to Ch. 2 in the text for examples and additional guidance if needed.

Step 1: Develop a list of premises.

A premise is a proposition that supports or gives reasons for accepting the conclusion. The premise is often preceded by premise indicators, such as because, since, may be inferred that, the reason is that, or as shown by.

Sample premise: Racism and sexism are wrong because all people deserve equal respect.

Step 2: Eliminate irrelevant or weak premises.

Step 3: Come to a conclusion.

The conclusion is what the argument is trying to prove.

Sample conclusion: Racism and sexism are wrong because all people deserve equal respect.

Note: For help with these steps, please refer to pp. 47–51 in the text.

Making Ethical & Moral Decisions

Part 3:

Determine the decision you would make and explain why. In 350–500 words, describe the facts, list the relevant moral principles and concerns, list and evaluate possible courses of action, and explain why the decision you would make is best, according to the considerations of your ethical perspective.

Part 4:

Write a 200- to 350-word reflection in which you:

•          Explain what someone who disagrees with you might offer as a counterargument. Explain how you might respond to those who disagree with your decision and address those counterarguments. Use APA referencing style.