intro to ethics midterm
Katie Ramkelawan
Professor Feld
Intro to Ethics
24 October 2014
Midterm Exam
2.On the issue regarding organ transplants that involves the allocation of scarce resources, and illegal organ trading, different ethical thinkers will have varying opinions based on the ethical theories they believe in. Utilitarians, for example, believe solely in the consequences of a matter, and believe that the end justifies the means of a cause. The idea of utilitarianism is to make as many people happy as possible through acts and practices that result in the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Utilitarians believe that all humans are of equal moral value, and for this reason they would believe in the case of organ transplants stated above would be ethical as long as the amount of people being saved where greater than the amount of people suffering. Utilitarians believe in equal distribution of goods, and therefore would state that this case of organ transplants were for a good cause, due to the fact that the ends justifies the means according to a Utilitarian. Ultimately, a Utilitarian would say that this case would be justified since the benefit is larger than the consequences of that benefit. For example, the organ transplants are saving ten people by losing two.
When this case is viewed from a Kantian perspective, however, an ethicist would look at the moral obligation and duty of the matter. Kantianism is a type of deontology, and believes that certain acts are morally right or wrong intrinsically, despite the consequences. Kant’s perspective of deontology states that the only intrinsically good thing is good will, and would therefore look at the intentions of the case despite the consequence. Kantians would view the case of organ transplants based on the morality of the people participating, for example whether or not their intentions were pure and if the people trading their organs were doing so for a good cause and out of the goodness of their hearts,
Professor Feld
Intro to Ethics
24 October 2014
Midterm Exam
2.On the issue regarding organ transplants that involves the allocation of scarce resources, and illegal organ trading, different ethical thinkers will have varying opinions based on the ethical theories they believe in. Utilitarians, for example, believe solely in the consequences of a matter, and believe that the end justifies the means of a cause. The idea of utilitarianism is to make as many people happy as possible through acts and practices that result in the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Utilitarians believe that all humans are of equal moral value, and for this reason they would believe in the case of organ transplants stated above would be ethical as long as the amount of people being saved where greater than the amount of people suffering. Utilitarians believe in equal distribution of goods, and therefore would state that this case of organ transplants were for a good cause, due to the fact that the ends justifies the means according to a Utilitarian. Ultimately, a Utilitarian would say that this case would be justified since the benefit is larger than the consequences of that benefit. For example, the organ transplants are saving ten people by losing two.
When this case is viewed from a Kantian perspective, however, an ethicist would look at the moral obligation and duty of the matter. Kantianism is a type of deontology, and believes that certain acts are morally right or wrong intrinsically, despite the consequences. Kant’s perspective of deontology states that the only intrinsically good thing is good will, and would therefore look at the intentions of the case despite the consequence. Kantians would view the case of organ transplants based on the morality of the people participating, for example whether or not their intentions were pure and if the people trading their organs were doing so for a good cause and out of the goodness of their hearts,