Category: Ethics

Initial Post Instructions
St. Augustine in the 5th Century held that we are free to make choices in life. This is the idea of free will. It may seem at first glance odd for a religious thinker to say that we have free will. After all, if God exists, then God created all things. God knows already what we will do. God can cause anything to occur. If we cause things to occur, that seems to be a limitation on the power of God and not make God all-powerful.
There are also religion traditions that say that we have no free will. There are some theologians in Islam who seem to suggest that is true. In order for this line of reasoning to hold true, one would need to believe free will is an illusion and that we have no control over how we live our lives, but rather that we are puppets moving and acting due to God’s will and the powers of destiny and fate. And if this then in the case, how can we possibly be responsible for our actions?
The considerations above show us to what degree our religious beliefs can shape us. For instance, someone who believes in free will may experience way more guilt than someone who believes we don’t have free will and thus aren’t responsible for the choices (and consequences) of the actions we take.
Personal struggles with religion and ethics occur in many places, including in the healthcare arena. Consider the following: You are a nurse in a hospital. A 12 year-old was brought to the hospital by an ambulance. The parents have just arrived at the hospital. This 12 year-old has lost a large amount of blood and requires a transfusion. The parents happen to be members of a religion that believes that blood transfusions are immoral. They want to remove the child from the hospital and prevent the transfusion even if it means the death of the child. You have to decide whether or not you will participate in an action that violates the will of the parents and aid in providing blood for the child. If you choose to participate, and even if you are able to legally justify it, you have to think about the distress you are creating for the parents. If you refuse to aid here, you may be subject to retaliation from the hospital. What is the moral thing for the nurse to do here?
For the initial post, address the following questions:
What would a divine command ethicist say is the moral thing to do here? Why would they say that? Do you agree with the divine command ethics? Why or why not?
Evaluate what a natural law ethicist would say is right to do. Do you agree with them? Why or why not?
Given what you said are the right things to do, what would an emotivist say about your positions and judgments? What role does subjectivity play here in determining what is ethical?
Follow-Up Post Instructions
Respond to at least one peer. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.
Writing Requirements
Minimum of 2 posts (1 initial & 1 follow-up)
Minimum of 2 sources cited (assigned readings/online lessons and an outside scholarly source)
APA format for in-text citations and list of references
POST I NEED TO REPLY TO
Hi Class and Professor,
What would a divine command be moral because God said the opposite is immoral? ethicists say is the moral thing to do here? Why would they say that? Do you agree with the divine command ethics? Why or why not?
This situation would be a big ethical dilemma and put the nurse in a difficult situation based on what she chooses to do. As Elhence, P. (2006) states, there are a number of ethical issues when it comes to blood transfusions because blood comes from other human beings and is considered a precious resource. The divine command ethicist would most likely argue that the moral thing to do in this situation would be to leave the situation in god’s hands and let the parents proceed how they see fit based on their religion. Personally, I do not agree with this perspective simply because I think it should be based on the person’s choice with their safety in mind versus a religious higher power. However, I do see the importance of respecting one’s religion and other perspectives as that is equally important.
Evaluate what a natural law ethicist would say is right to do. Do you agree with them? Why or why not? 
The natural law ethicist would probably say that the right thing to do would be similar to the divine command ethicist, of allowing nature to take its course in the situation and not violate the purpose of the situation. As Rachels, S. & Rachels, J. (2023) states, this perspective says that violation of purpose of something is considered immoral. I do not agree with this perspective because I believe in some circumstances, intervention is necessary, especially if it means saving a life. Especially in this circumstance we are discussing, this boy could potentially lose his life if intervention doesn’t happen.
Given what you said are the right things to do, what would an emotivist say about your positions and judgments? What role does subjectivity play here in determining what is ethical?
I believe that the emotivist would say my perspective and judgment of the situation is based off moral judgment with the involvement of emotions, not beliefs. I do not completely agree with that. Subjectivity does have its involvement many times, especially in this situation since the nurse (me) would need to base the decision to participate with her own feelings aside and what is the best fit for this patient.
References: 
Elhence, P. (2006). Ethical issues in transfusion medicine. Indian Journal of Medical Ethics, 3.https://doi.org/10.20529/ijme.2006.033Links to an external site.
Links to an external site.Rachels, S., & Rachels, J. (2023). The Elements of Moral Philosophy (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

Instructions
This is a 5 paragraph paper: Introduction, Topic 1, Topic 2, Topic 3, Conclusion
Label all of the paragraphs
Introduction (10 points, at least 150 words)
This is a place to create a roadmap for the paper and include a thesis statement for the paper.
Write an introduction stating what you will be writing about
Body: (60 points) (1500 words minimum)
Write 3 separate paragraphs of at least 500 words each on 3 different topics from class. (20 points each paragraph) 
Use both videos and articles. You will choose a combination of 3 videos and articles. 
2 video/documentaries and 1 article or 2 articles and 1 video/documentary.
Reflect on readings, lectures, and video/documentaries.
Write summaries for each topic you choose. Your topics are the articles and video from class.
You can add to the summaries that you have already written on the articles and video. Each must be a minimum of 500 words.
Conclusion: (10 points, at least 200 words)
Here you will talk about why you chose the the topics you chose.
Also, what were you favorite topics in class
Any ending thoughts.
I will give you articles and videos regarding this 

Directions
Using the case study and professional code of ethics you chose for the project proposal, you will do the following:
Introduce the audience to the key problems and issues of the case.
Analyze the ethical components of the case.
To do this, you will finalize your choice of an ethical framework, considering what you identified in the project proposal.
To choose a case study, refer to the instructions in the Supporting Materials section. To choose an ethical framework, refer to the overview in the Module One Guide. Use the professional code of ethics you chose in Module Two Project Proposal.
You must cite the case study, professional code of ethics, and ethical framework, but no other sources are required.
Specifically, you must address the following criteria:
Part One: Case Analysis
Describe the background of the case. Summarize the events that are presented in the case.
Cite your chosen case study.
Explain the ethical issues of the case. Include the key members and the significance of the case.
Determine principles from your chosen ethical framework that apply to the case.
Explain how you might apply the chosen professional code of ethics to analyze the case.
Explain how the ethical framework can be used to examine the ethical issues of the case.
What to Submit
Submit your project draft as a 2- to 3-page Microsoft Word document with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins. You must cite your case study, your chosen professional code of ethics, and your chosen ethical framework, but no other sources are required. If other sources are used, follow APA citation guidelines when citing sources both throughout and at the end of your paper.

You will be given a sound argument including 2 premises and a
conclusion. You will then be required to write an
analysis of that argument including
whether you think it is sound or not and why. You will need to
write 1800-2000 words on this topic including your argument.
These analyses should draw on your experiences, ideas,
reflections on Kantian ethics, Virtue ethics, deontology, and/or utility. Also
include a counter argument and refute it.
Argument:
Premise 1: GMO’s have the
potential to significantly increase crop yields, and playing a crutial role in aiding
global food security concerns.
Premise 2: GMOs can
contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing the need for chemical
pesticides and fertilizers, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.
Conclusion: Therefore, the
responsible use of GMOs offers a logical approach to enhancing agriculture
while promoting environmental conservation.
Counter Argument:
Premise 1: The adoption of GMO’s
may lead to unintended consequences that outweigh their potential benefits.
Premise 2: GMOs can pose
environmental risks, including the emergence of resistant pests and weeds and
the loss of biodiversity.
Conclusion: Therefore,
caution should be exercised in executing the widespread adoption of GMOs, and
alternative approaches should be explored instead

Intro to the subject, plus thesis. The issue,  The argument, The objections, and the questions. Also, the conclusion.

Read article 750 words minimum ( no intro or conclusion) writea thoughtful reflection.  Is Aj mock a good son? Is Aj mock a good citizen?  In this case, do these two duties conflict?  Which is the higher ethical obligation?  Why? 

For this assignment, imagine you are the head of research at a large urban hospital associated with a major university.
The hospital has the chance to hire a doctor who is doing ground-breaking but controversial research on the cloning of humans. Specifically, he is known for creating “spare parts” children.
• Write your position paper as though you were making the presentation to the panel of doctors, lawyers, academics, and clergy in the video, which has the ultimate authority to accept or reject the course of action you recommend.

Instructions:
Over the years, computer ethics has grown increasingly important in all areas of life. Ethics has links to issues involving cybercrime and cybersecurity as well as to digital forensics. As we think about the role that ethics plays in our practice of digital forensics, do some research and discuss how ethics has shaped cybercrime research and investigations. Also, provide an example of how computer ethics is entwined with the principles and practices of digital forensics.

SECTION SPECIFIC SCENARIO
Congratulations, you have been invited for an interview with a company at the forefront of self-driving
(autonomous) vehicles. As part of the interview process, you have been asked to write a memorandum
guiding the vehicle’s design team with respect to the following scenario: 
• A vehicle is traveling down a path where five (5) people (a diverse group of college students), none of
whom can get out of the way, will die immediately upon impact should the vehicle continue straight
on the current designated path. 
There are two possible alternatives that would result in saving the five
(5) lives : 
(i) adjust the vehicle path, but by doing so, the one person on that path, your college professor will die immediately upon impact; or (ii) eject a passenger from the vehicle causing
the immediate death of such passenger while saving the life of the others in the pathways. 
When examining the above scenario, consider the “actor” responsible for acting: 
(i) an actual driver; (ii) an
engineer, who pre-programed a vehicle’s response; or (iii) the “embedded ‘artificial intelligence’” in the
vehicle’s system, which is based upon a machine learning algorithm. 
Your memorandum should include an identification of the constituent interests and their preferences,
evaluate each potential option from each constituent interests’ perspective, the feasibility of the options, and
the option you select. 
You must also: 
• Explains your rationale for your choice – it is important to provide in detail your choice; 
• Evaluates your choice using an ethical paradigm or, if necessary, two ethical paradigms – it is
important to provide in detail the applicable ethical paradigm(s); 
• Evaluates your choice from the perspective of corporate social responsibility (“CSR”), including
explaining CSR; and 
• Evaluates your choice for its implications on “justice:” equity, diversity, and inclusions, as well as any
potential governmental responses to your choice.   

Read article in 750 words minimum; no intro or conclusion  write a thoughtful reflection. Is Aj mock a good son? Is Aj mock a good citizen? In this case, do these two duties conflict?  Which is the higher ethical obligation? Why? Include specific references to article.