SLP Requirements
-Describe Deontological Thought.
-Describe Utilitarianism.
Ethics is the study of morality, that is, the proper interaction of human beings. More specifically, ethics breaks into three fields of study:
Meta-ethics: The study of ethical concepts, like justice, fairness, and the good.
Cultural Ethics: The study of why people believe what they believe and how they came to believe that way.
Normative Ethics: The study of moral decision making.
In this module, we will limit our thinking to issues centered on making the right decision. How do we make a moral choice? As you will see in the background information, moral decision making revolves around two thing: future consequences and basic rights/duties. The first type of reasoning, known as consequentialism, or more specifically, Utilitarianism, was developed by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. The second type, rights/duties, or more properly, deontological ethics, was best expressed by the philosopher Immanuel Kant. Moral decision making involves a blend of calculating consequences with determining obligations and entitlements.
In this module, we will be putting the philosophies of Kant and Mill into play. I want you to work on using consequentialist reasoning and Kant’s categorical imperative, as well as other constructs from Normative Ethics, to develop an understanding of the logic of making a moral decision.
Find a moral problem in your place of employment. Tell me about it. What really bothers you and why? It need not be actually happening. The moral problem could be a potential problem, no matter how likely. Be creative. If you can’t think of a real problem you will likely face, make one up.
Tell me what your position on the problem is, and what the relevant utilitarian and deontological considerations are. Who is being, or will be, hurt? Who is being, or will be, benefited? Why, overall, do you think your position on the issue is for the greatest good over the long haul? Whose rights are involved? Who has special duties?
Here are some possible topics:
Privacy in employment tests
Privacy in genetic tests
Privacy in e-mailshould your boss be allowed to read your e-mail?
Safety issues
Fair employment practices (e.g., pay, hiring/firing, benefits)
Racism
Sexism
Discrimination on any unfair basis
