ETHC445N-Week 5 Discussion: Kant’s Ethics and Our Duty

Course

ETHC445N – Principles of Ethics

Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:

  • Textbook: Chapters 9, 10
  • Lesson
  • Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook)

Introduction
Kant’s famous First Formulation of the Categorical Imperative reads, “Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.” Kant taught morality as a matter of following maxims of living that reflect absolute laws. “Universal” is a term that allows for no exceptions, and what is universal applies always and everywhere. Don’t forget about the second formulation of the categorical imperative which states, “Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of another, always at the same time as an end and never simply as a means.” It is just as important.

Initial Post Instructions
For the initial post, address one of the following sets of questions:

  1. What are the personal and/or communal ethical factors that may be involved in determining the moral position of either side given a contemporary debate, such as those concerning animal rights, stem cell research, abortion, the death penalty, and so forth?
  2. Elaborate in detail the ethical positions arrived at by using the Kantian categorical imperative relative to the long standing debate surrounding the death penalty or abortion. Argue the ethics from the point of view of the prisoner or from the fetus
  3. Evaluate the ethical positions in part two. You will want to detail whether they are convincing, logical, correct, consistent, etc.

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

SOLUTION  

  1. What are the personal and/or communal ethical factors that may be involved in determining the moral position of either side given a contemporary debate, such as those concerning animal rights, stem cell research, abortion, the death penalty, and so forth?

Ethical factors in the death penalty “are clear — taking a life in punishment for murder is not justice, but vengeance.”(University, 2018).With stem cell research the ethical debate is whether or not the fetus has moral standing. “Others grant it limited moral status but argue that the value of this limited status is far outweighed by the potential benefits that can result from hESC research.”(King & Perrin, 2014) According to deontology the justice system has a duty to get rid of criminals. Communal ethical factors would support this theory by saying it is morally right to get rid of dangerous people for the sake of providing a safe community. Researchers have a duty to find the possible benefits of stem cells. The scientific community would support researchers because they believe there is major potential in stem cells……please click the purchase button below to access the entire solution at $5