Ethical Theory Application and Evaluation: A Case Study

by | Dec 19, 2023 | philosophy

 

In this final written assignment, Case Study: Ethical Theory Application and Evaluation, you will create your own case study based on
• an ethical issue or social problem in your local community (neighborhood, town city, school district, religious community, local politics, water safety, housing issues, etc.),
• an ethical issue in your current job, or
• an ethical issue in your field of study.

This final written assignment should be an essay and include the following sections with headings in bold font:

Part 1: Introduction, Case Study, and Ethical Question
In this section, you will create the case study. To complete this section,
• Present a brief introduction to the case study.
• Discuss background information.
• Identify the central moral controversy at stake in the case study.
• Articulate an ethical question based on the central moral controversy.
This section should be around 300 words.

Part 2: Philosophy Reading Reflection
In Sections 4 and 5 you will use two ethical theories to analyze your case study. In this section, you will choose a philosophical text associated with one of the ethical theories you will be using in Section 4 or 5. The philosophical text can be the same one you used in the Week 3 written assignment, or you can choose a new text. Copy and paste the text into this section. After applying the metacognitive strategies on reading philosophical texts from Week 1,
Examine the meaning of the text.
• Discuss how your understanding of the text evolved after multiple reads.
• Explain how the text might apply to the case study.
This section should be around 150 words (excluding the philosophical text).

Part 3: Explanation of First Ethical Theory
In this section, choose either utilitarianism, deontology, or virtue ethics. This will be the primary or first ethical theory you will use to consider the case study. You can choose the same ethical theory you used in the Week 3 written assignment or choose a different ethical theory. To complete this section,
• Discuss the historical background of the ethical theory and the philosopher primarily associated with it.
• Articulate the core principle(s) of the ethical theory.
• Demonstrate how the principle(s) applies to an ethical question different than the ethical question in your case study.
This section should be around 250 words.

Part 4: Application of First Ethical Theory
In this section, you will apply the principle(s) of the ethical theory to the case study. To complete this section,
• Clarify the central moral controversy at stake in the ethical question.
• Analyze the core principle of the ethical theory.
• Explain how someone using the core principles of the ethical theory would answer the ethical question addressed by your case.
This section should be around 350 words.

Part 5: Explanation and Application of Second Ethical Theory
In this section, you will choose a second ethical theory and apply it to the case study. The explanation and application here will be briefer than the first ethical theory. To complete this section,
• Discuss the core principle of the ethical theory.
• Explain how someone using the core principles of the ethical theory would analyze the case study and answer the ethical question.
This section should be around 150 or 200 words.

Part 6: Evaluation of First Ethical Theory Application
In this section, you will evaluate the results of applying the ethical theory to the case study. The idea here is to assess the success (or failure) of the theory in providing an adequate or actionable solution to the central moral controversy in the case study. To complete this section,
• Discuss the answer to the ethical question provided by applying the first ethical theory.
• Compare the answer to the ethical question provided by applying the first ethical theory to the second ethical theory’s application.
• Explain which ethical theory you think offers the strongest resolution to the ethical issue.
• Evaluate the strength of the application by considering one or more of the following questions:
o Does applying the theory present an adequate response to the issue, or are there significant aspects of the issue the theory does not address?
o Does the application differ from how the issue is currently being addressed?
o Does the application present a better approach to how the issue is currently being addressed?
o Does applying the theory to the issue raise other problems or concerns?
This section should be between 300 and 350 words.

Part 7: Conclusion
In this section, you will describe what you have accomplished in the paper. To complete this section,
• Summarize the analyses and conclusions of applying the first and second ethical theories to your case study.
• Evaluate the results of applying the theory
o Did it offer an adequate solution to the issue?
o What is the greatest strength or weakness of the theory when applied to the issue?
• Provide any additional recommendations you think might help address the central moral controversy in the case study.

 

 

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


This question has been answered

God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

Ethical Theory Application and Evaluation: A Case Study

Part 1: Introduction, Case Study, and Ethical Question

Introduction

In this essay, we will explore an ethical issue in the field of education. The case study revolves around the use of standardized testing in schools and the ethical question it raises.

Background Information

Standardized testing has become a prevalent practice in many educational systems around the world. These tests are designed to measure students’ knowledge and skills and provide a way to compare their performance across schools and districts. However, the use of standardized tests has sparked significant controversy, with critics arguing that they promote a narrow focus on rote memorization and hinder students’ holistic development.

Central Moral Controversy

The central moral controversy in this case study is whether the emphasis on standardized testing in education is morally justifiable. Proponents argue that it provides an objective measure of student achievement and holds schools accountable. On the other hand, opponents argue that it leads to a narrow curriculum, increases stress levels among students, and perpetuates inequality.

Ethical Question

Is it ethically justifiable to place such a heavy emphasis on standardized testing in education?

Part 2: Philosophy Reading Reflection

[Insert philosophical text here]

Part 3: Explanation of First Ethical Theory

Utilitarianism is the ethical theory we will analyze in this section. Developed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, utilitarianism is based on the principle of maximizing overall happiness or utility. According to utilitarianism, actions should be evaluated based on their consequences and the overall well-being they bring about.

Utilitarianism holds that the morally right action is the one that produces the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people. This ethical theory prioritizes the collective well-being over individual interests.

When applied to an ethical question different from our case study, such as whether to legalize a certain drug, utilitarianism would evaluate the consequences of legalization on society as a whole. If the benefits outweigh the harms and result in a greater overall happiness, utilitarianism would support legalization.

Part 4: Application of First Ethical Theory

Central Moral Controversy

The central moral controversy in the case study of standardized testing is whether placing such a heavy emphasis on these tests promotes educational quality and fairness.

Analysis of Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism would approach this issue by considering the overall consequences of relying heavily on standardized testing in education. It would evaluate whether this practice leads to greater happiness and well-being for the greatest number of stakeholders involved, such as students, teachers, parents, and society at large.

From a utilitarian perspective, the emphasis on standardized testing may have some positive consequences. It provides a benchmark for measuring student achievement and can potentially hold schools accountable for their performance. This could lead to improvements in educational quality and ensure a fair distribution of resources.

However, utilitarianism would also consider the negative consequences of such an emphasis. It may lead to a narrow curriculum that focuses solely on test preparation, neglecting other important aspects of education like creativity and critical thinking. Moreover, high-stakes testing can create undue stress and anxiety among students, potentially harming their well-being.

Utilitarian Solution

Based on utilitarian principles, someone analyzing this case study would consider whether the overall happiness and well-being of all stakeholders involved would be maximized by reducing the emphasis on standardized testing in education. They would weigh the potential benefits of increased educational quality and fairness against the negative consequences of stress and a narrowed curriculum.

Part 5: Explanation and Application of Second Ethical Theory

In addition to utilitarianism, we will also analyze this case study through the lens of virtue ethics. Virtue ethics focuses on developing moral character traits and emphasizes the importance of virtues such as honesty, compassion, and fairness.

From a virtue ethics perspective, analyzing the case study would involve examining whether placing such a heavy emphasis on standardized testing aligns with virtuous behavior. It would assess whether this practice promotes virtues such as fairness, integrity, and genuine concern for students’ holistic development.

Part 6: Evaluation of First Ethical Theory Application

The application of utilitarianism to the case study raises several considerations. While it acknowledges potential benefits in terms of improved educational quality and fairness, it also recognizes the negative consequences of stress and a narrowed curriculum. The evaluation must address whether these negative consequences outweigh the potential benefits or vice versa.

Comparing utilitarianism with virtue ethics in this context, we find that virtue ethics places a greater emphasis on holistic development and individual virtues. It recognizes that education should not solely focus on test scores but should also nurture qualities such as empathy, creativity, and critical thinking.

In evaluating the strength of utilitarianism’s application to this ethical issue, we must consider whether it adequately addresses all aspects of education. While it provides a framework for assessing overall happiness and well-being, it may not fully account for the complex nature of education and its multifaceted goals. It is essential to recognize that education encompasses more than just test scores and considers students’ overall development.

Ultimately, virtue ethics offers a stronger resolution to the ethical issue at hand. By emphasizing the importance of virtues such as fairness and holistic development, it provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating educational practices. It encourages educators to prioritize students’ well-being and character development alongside academic achievement.

Part 7: Conclusion

In this paper, we have examined the ethical issue surrounding standardized testing in education. We explored this case study through the lenses of utilitarianism and virtue ethics.

By applying utilitarianism, we considered the overall consequences of relying heavily on standardized testing in education. While acknowledging potential benefits, we also recognized negative consequences such as stress and a narrowed curriculum.

In contrast, virtue ethics emphasized the importance of holistic development and individual virtues. It recognized that education should nurture qualities beyond test scores and prioritize students’ overall well-being.

In evaluating these ethical theories’ applications, we found that virtue ethics offers a stronger resolution to this ethical issue. By prioritizing character development and holistic education, it provides a more comprehensive framework for evaluating educational practices.

To address the central moral controversy surrounding standardized testing in education, it is recommended that educational institutions incorporate a balanced approach that considers both academic achievement and holistic development. This includes valuing virtues such as fairness, empathy, and creativity alongside test scores.

 

 

This question has been answered.

Get Answer