Discovery Process and justification Process

Discovery Process and justification Process

Order Description
Guidelines for Ethical Analysis Part One: An Ethics Position Paper.
(1) The first step we will call the “Discovery Process”. Here you will ask and answer a number of questions regarding what our society tells us to be morally the right or the wrong thing to do. In some cases society’s instructions are crystal clear; in other instances society upholds moral standards that turn out to be contradictory when applied to the same case. We call this a “moral dilemma”. In the case study material for the final, we will focus on the one that presents a moral dilemma.

(2) The second step we will call the “Justification Process”. Here we will examine some of the conventional moral standards that you have used to develop your own ethical framework to see how they help you solve this particular moral dilemma. Particular theoretical frameworks such as Non Consequentialism (Kant) Consequentialism (Utilitarianism), Virtue Ethics etc.,or whatever you have relied on, will used in this examination. In addition, your solution of this moral dilemma probably has several different conventional solutions which you used to form your own moral judgement. It is not so important which moral judgment you make, but on how well you justify, defend, and argue for your position and that you demonstrate clear and consistent reasoning. You should base your analysis then on the following guideline.

Section I. The Discovery Process.

In this section you are primarily asked to analyze a moral dilemma which you have encountered in this case study.

1. Observation and summary of the dilemma. Look up the definition of a moral dilemma. In this case. why do you have a moral dilemma and not simply a general moral issue? You need to state the facts of the case and clearly identify your moral dilemma in the form of a question.

2. Proposals for resolution of the dilemma.
This is largely a brainstorming task . What proposal or solutions can be possible resolutions for your moral dilemma? Make a list of options; never mind whether you like one better than the other. You will make choices later.

3. Reflective Assessment
a. Choose from among the options in (2.) above and then clearly state your best proposal (also called ‘moral judgment’) concerning the resolution of your moral dilemma.
b. What are the moral standards or principles involved in your dilemma? Rank them in order of importance.
c. .What assumptions are you making with your proposal that may or may not be articulated in your case study? What presuppositions are you making concerning your research or thinking?
d. What consequences, both positive and negative, are involved in your proposal? This is to say, what do you think will happen if you adopt your proposal or solution?
e. Conclude with a clear statement of a moral rule involved in your chosen solution. This is normally only one sentence and is usually action guiding. It is also that which grounds your proposal or moral judgment. For example, if you moral judgment is “X should have told the truth to Y” your moral rule might be “X should not lie” because “lying shows disrespect to other people.” It is very important that you are clear on this.
f. Is your moral judgment (yourproposed solution to the moral dilemma) directly defendable by your moral rule?
g. Are you consistent, fair, objective, etc. in your moral judgment?

Section II. The Justification Process.
In this section you are asked to examine, modify or justify your moral judgement/rule and the moral standards/principles you have used. For this paper, you are asked to to use the ethical framework you have developed in this class. If you are unclear about the differences between ethical theories, principles, and moral rules, please ask.

1. In four or five sentences, sum up the moral dilemma you identified in the Discovery Process. Also clearly re-state the moral judgement/rule you chose to support your solution. This judgement/rule now is the object of your examination, that which you are justifying.

2. Explain what ethical process you are following to solve this issue. Ethical processes use principles to help argue for or justify moral rules and judgments. When you are writing your justification be sure to use the principles you believe should be followed. But remember, you are not just listing principles and stating that they defend your rule, you must explain how they justify your decision..

3. What ethical and/or philosophical objections can be raised to your moral rule or judgment? Be specific. How would you respond to these objection?

4. Has this process of examination changed your view on your moral judgment/rule? Why or why not?