What a busy five weeks we have
had! We have learned to use moral reasoning and examined many ethical theories
in this course. These include virtue ethics, utilitarianism, social contract,
deontology with goals (Hinduism and Buddhism), deontology with divine authority
(Judaism, Christianity, and Islam), relativism (individual and cultural), and
deontology with a categorical imperative (Kant).
Think back about your
impressions of each of these ethical systems and write a 1,000 to 1,250-word
essay that addresses the following questions below. Be sure to write good
introductory and concluding paragraphs in your essay.
1.
Summarize the principle
components of each of the seven ethical systems studied in this course (listed
above), including the principle ethicist involved in developing the system. Use
two or three sentences for each ethical system.
2.
Which ethical system is most
prevalent in the United States today? In the World? Explain your answer
and support your response.
3.
Which ethical system
most closely matches your personal ethical system? Why do you think so?
Explain your position.
4.
Please give a short, personal
example that supports your decision to identify your ethical system (3 or 4
sentences) and explain why it does so.
5.
Examine your response to previous
assignments in Modules 1 thru 4 in this course. Are there any
inconsistencies or conflict between positions you took in earlier assignments
and the ethical system identified in this paper? For example, monotheists
(Christians, Muslims, and Jews) believe in universal maxims. Relativists do not
think universal maxims are possible. One cannot, for example be a
Christian and believe no universal maxims exist, which is a relativist
position. Monotheism (Christianity) and relativism are polar opposites. If inconsistencies
exist between your earlier answers and this paper, how do you resolve them in
your ethical decision-making process in the real world?
6.
Add at least three references
to support your analysis in this paper.
