Principles of Ethics and Moral Reasoning, Essays (university) of Ethics

Download Principles of Ethics and Moral Reasoning and more Essays (university) Ethics in PDF only on Docsity! As I reflect on the various principles we have examined, I am curious about which ones characterize and underpin my own values, beliefs, behaviors, and actions. It is a good idea to ask and, if necessary, identify the principles we use the most today and those we want to utilize more of in the future, as well as why. Intentionally applying one or more of these principles and ethical approaches might also assist me in evaluating choices and options prior to making a decision or resolving an ethical dilemma. Getting to know these concepts can help me make moral decisions and discern what is good and wrong. These principles are: 1. Moral reasoning – Moral reasoning is the process of applying critical analysis to specific occurrences in order to establish what is good and wrong, as well as what people should do in a given scenario. Because our choices are often influenced by internal biases or outside influences, such as self-serving biases or the drive to conform, we should constantly let our moral reasoning play a role in moral judgment and determining right and wrong. 2. Natural law theory – According to natural law theory, all human behavior is guided by a set of universal moral norms that have been passed down through generations. These rules are universal and apply to everyone, everywhere. In my opinion, this principle is important in coping with the diversity of people who have varied cultural origins, conventions, and sets of standards when making moral judgements, because there is this universal law that connects us despite our differences and protects us from harming others because of our variances. 3. Virtue ethics – This character-based approach to morality claims that virtue is acquired by practice and that people who develop virtuous habits are more likely to make the right decision when faced with ethical dilemmas. Having virtue simply entails doing the right thing at the right time, in the right manner, in the right quantity, and toward the right people. In establishing what is right and wrong, we might think of virtue as the midpoint between two extremes, which Aristotle named vices, where virtue is the just-right amount—the sweet spot between extremes of excess and deficiency.