Ethical Theory Application and Evaluation

Instruction Details on Case Study: Ethical Theory Application and Evaluation Paper

Prior to beginning work on this assignment, read the required resources for Week 5, review the Week 5 content in the PHI208: Ethics & Moral ReasoningLinks to an external site. interactive multimedia, and review the Reading PhilosophyLinks to an external site. video from the Week 1. You should also consult the Research Project Management PlanLinks to an external site. resource to help you plan the paper and the Guide to Writing an Ethics Case Study Download Guide to Writing an Ethics Case Studyresource.

Overview

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 assignment 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,

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,

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,

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,

This section should be around 150 or 200 words

Case Study: Ethical Theory Application and Evaluation Sample Paper

Title: The Moral Quandary in a Neighborhood: The Crisis of Accessible Housing

Part 1: Introduction, Case Study, and Ethical Query

Introduction: This case study delves into an ethical predicament prevalent in a local neighborhood—the crisis of accessible housing. The neighborhood in focus is situated in a rapidly evolving city. In recent years, the cost of housing has escalated dramatically, leaving numerous residents grappling to find affordable housing options.

Background Information: This once-diverse and affordable neighborhood has experienced a surge in property prices due to factors such as gentrification, limited housing supply, and increased demand. Consequently, long-time residents, including low-income families, have encountered obstacles in securing affordable housing within their community.

Central Moral Controversy: At the heart of this case study lies a moral controversy revolving around housing inequality and its ramifications for the local community. The crisis raises questions concerning fairness, social justice, and the responsibilities of community members and local authorities in addressing the housing needs of all residents.

Ethical Query: What ethical duties do community stakeholders, encompassing residents, local government, and developers, bear in mitigating the crisis of accessible housing and ensuring equitable access to housing opportunities for all community members?

Part 2: Reflection on Philosophy Reading

Text: Extract from John Rawls’ “A Theory of Justice”

Comprehending the Text’s Significance: Upon multiple perusals of Rawls’ “A Theory of Justice,” my understanding of the text has evolved. Rawls underscores the principles of justice as fairness and introduces the original position, wherein individuals would establish equitable principles of social cooperation unaware of their own societal position.

Application to the Case Study: Rawls’ theory of justice can be applied to this case study by advocating for a just distribution of housing opportunities. It emphasizes the necessity of equal access to affordable housing for all community members, particularly those who face economic disadvantage.

Part 3: Elucidation of First Ethical Theory

Ethical Theory: Utilitarianism

Historical Background: Utilitarianism, associated with philosophers like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, posits that actions are morally right if they maximize overall happiness and well-being.

Core Principle(s): The core principle of utilitarianism is the greatest happiness principle, which stipulates that actions should be chosen based on their ability to produce the greatest overall happiness for the largest number of people.

Application to a Different Ethical Query: If we consider a distinct ethical question from the one in the case study, such as resource allocation in healthcare, utilitarianism would advocate for allocating resources to maximize overall well-being and save the most lives.

Part 4: Application of First Ethical Theory

Central Moral Controversy: The central moral controversy surrounding the crisis of accessible housing revolves around the unequal distribution of housing opportunities and its impact on the well-being of community members.

Analysis of Utilitarianism: Utilitarianism would propose that the ethical resolution to the housing crisis entails prioritizing actions that maximize overall happiness. In this case, it would involve ensuring affordable housing options for all community members, thereby enhancing their well-being and reducing the adverse consequences of homelessness or inadequate housing.

Part 5: Explanation and Application of Second Ethical Theory

Ethical Theory: Virtue Ethics

Core Principle: Virtue ethics centers on the development of moral character and the cultivation of virtues that lead to ethical conduct. It emphasizes personal virtues such as compassion, justice, and fairness.

Application to the Case Study: In the context of the crisis of accessible housing, virtue ethics underscores the significance of virtues such as empathy, fairness, and social responsibility. It guides individuals and community stakeholders to consider the well-being and equitable treatment of others when addressing the housing issue.