In this discussion board, students will refer to a moral theory or moral principle that characterizes the ways in which they engage with the world and approach ethical decisions.
Directions:
Reflect on your past experiences (or upcoming decisions), trying to think about difficult ethical decisions you've had to make in your life. Think about that decision and how you made your decision. Did you consciously think about the ethical principles or adhere to a moral theory, or did you make your decision for some other reason? If so, what was that other reason? After reflecting on this decision and reviewing the moral theories and principles covered in your reading, please complete the following:
- Share with your peers a particularly difficult choice you've had to make. Explain the situation, your options, and how you ultimately made your choice.
- Next, connect your decision-making process to one of the moral theories or principles covered in your module readings. In other words, what moral theory or principle were you - either consciously or subconsciously - adhering to in your decision-making? Be sure to offer textual support for your claims (if you chose based on the dignity principle, then provide a quotation from the text explaining the dignity principle, and then explain how that relates to your decision).
For example: Someone could share a story of trying to help a friend who is addicted to opiates. The friend with the addiction may ask you for a place to stay, and as a result you are faced with the dilemma: do I let my good friend, who is struggling with addiction stay at my home despite the fact that he has been known to steal from people to pay for his addiction, and he involves himself with people I do not want around my house and family?