Scenario
Identify and explain one scenario in which someone breaks a promise. (Respond in your own words; you are not required to cite a resource for reactiothis response. Recommended response length is 1-3 sentences.)
Virtue Ethics (You are required to cite a resource from Units 2, 3, and 4 readings and presentations for these responses.)
Identify what a virtue ethicist will say is morally right or wrong to do in the example of breaking a promise you provided. Should you break the promise from a virtue ethics perspective? (1-2 sentence response recommended)
Explain what reasoning a follower of virtue ethics would use to determine the right thing to do based on that system’s core principles (e.g., telos, virtue, and eudaimonia). (4-6 sentence response recommended
3. Kantian Ethics (You are required to cite a resource from Units 2, 3, and 4 readings and presentations for these responses.)
Identify what a Kantian ethicist will say is morally right or wrong to do in the example of breaking a promise you provided. Should you break the promise from a Kantian ethics perspective? (1-2 sentence response recommended)
Explain what reasoning a follower of Kantian would use to determine the right thing to do based on that system’s core principles (e.g., goodwill, duty, impartiality, and reciprocity). (4-6 sentence response recommended)
4. Utilitarian Ethics (You are required to cite a resource from Units 2, 3, and 4 readings and presentations for these responses.)
Identify what a utilitarian will say is morally right or wrong to do in the example of breaking a promise you provided. Should you break the promise from a utilitarian perspective? (1-2 sentence response recommended)
Explain what reasoning a follower of utilitarian ethics would use to determine the right thing to do based on that system’s core principles (e.g., welfarism, impartiality, sum-ranking, consequentialism). (4-6 sentence response recommended)
Scenario:
A friend promises to help you move on Saturday. However, on Friday, they get a last-minute opportunity for a paid gig that will significantly help their finances. They call you to say they can’t help you move after all.
Ethical Perspectives
1. Virtue Ethics
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Moral Right/Wrong: A virtue ethicist would likely see breaking the promise as morally wrong, as it goes against the virtue of trustworthiness.
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Should you break the promise? From a virtue ethics perspective, it would be morally wrong to break the promise.
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Reasoning: Virtue ethics focuses on developing good character traits like honesty, trustworthiness, and loyalty (Rachels & Rachels, 2019). Breaking a promise undermines trustworthiness, which is a key virtue that helps build strong relationships and a good life (eudaimonia). A virtue ethicist would likely argue that while the financial opportunity is tempting, the long-term consequences of breaking a promise are more detrimental to one’s character and well-being.
Scenario:
A friend promises to help you move on Saturday. However, on Friday, they get a last-minute opportunity for a paid gig that will significantly help their finances. They call you to say they can’t help you move after all.
Ethical Perspectives
1. Virtue Ethics
-
Moral Right/Wrong: A virtue ethicist would likely see breaking the promise as morally wrong, as it goes against the virtue of trustworthiness.
-
Should you break the promise? From a virtue ethics perspective, it would be morally wrong to break the promise.
-
Reasoning: Virtue ethics focuses on developing good character traits like honesty, trustworthiness, and loyalty (Rachels & Rachels, 2019). Breaking a promise undermines trustworthiness, which is a key virtue that helps build strong relationships and a good life (eudaimonia). A virtue ethicist would likely argue that while the financial opportunity is tempting, the long-term consequences of breaking a promise are more detrimental to one’s character and well-being.
