Possible topics include : ethical topics in freedom of speech, intellectual prop
ID: 3466127 • Letter: P
Question
Possible topics include: ethical topics in freedom of speech, intellectual property, capital punishment, torture, etc. (Please confirm topic with instructor if you are uncertain.)
The essay must be written from an Ethical prospective, in other words, do not analyze the topic from a legal, sociological, or alternative perspective. Make use of the Ethical Theories you have learned throughout the course, for example Virtue Ethics, Natural Law Theory, Utilitarianism, or Deontological Ethical Theory, etc.
Note that mature philosophical reflection always includes a deep understanding of all side of an issue, while at the same time it presents a personal perspective that is grounded logically and based in evidence. It is not enough to have an opinion philosophically speaking if you do not understand the opinions of others. Be sure to demonstrate logically the strength or weakness of every claim you make.
Explanation / Answer
Introduction: Capital Punishment is the most talked about subject in the 20th century and most of the countries around the world has abolished capital punishment except a few. From an ethical standpoint, different theories would propose different outcomes for actions. One would say the offender deserves it while the other would say that one shouldn’t harm others, yet another will say that the law and duty should be fulfilled thus supporting capital punishment.
Virtue ethics proposes that the actions of a good person are always ethical and morally bound. So, the suggestion is that if one has done something which is not considered as a good action by the society, the person deserves the punishment.
Utilitarianism refers to the ethical thought that an action would be considered as ethical if the outcome increases utility or benefit and decreases harm. Although a person has committed a serious crime, according to Utilitarianism theory of ethics, it’s not right to harm the person who has wronged. This theory’s central point is not only improving the benefits but also to decrease harm to anyone, thus this theory wouldn’t support killing someone.
Deontological theory suggests that actions are more important than the outcome because it’s important that one fulfills one’s duty without caring much about the outcome. This is about rule and duty thus upholding the moral institution by punishing whoever do not follow it.
Conclusion: It’s important that people behave conforming to the social norms and the law of the country thus making the society a better place to live. If someone wrongs others, even with Utilitarian approach, they are not increasing utility instead causing harm to others which is wrong. In my personal ethical point of view, it’s not right to kill someone for a moment of unintentional emotional outburst. Instead, they could be given life imprisonment without bail. This would at least help the family of the one who committed wrong thus increasing utility and at the same time punishing the offender and fulfilling the laws.