Questions and Answers
What is the primary focus of ethics as discussed?
Which of the following reflects a common ethical dilemma in friendship, as illustrated by Lee's situation?
What do values and principles help to determine in ethical decision-making?
How does the concept of purpose influence ethical decision-making?
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Which principle might someone adopt that emphasizes maintaining Lee's confidentiality?
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What is considered a potential outcome of Lee's increased isolation if their situation remains a secret?
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The discussion emphasizes that ethical dilemmas often involve conflicts between which types of concepts?
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The notion of making choices that one can justify and be proud of aligns with which ethical concept?
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What could be a beneficial approach to resolving Lee's ethical dilemma?
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In the context of the dilemma presented, which value is in direct conflict with the value of compassion?
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Study Notes
Decision-Making and Ethics
- The number of daily decisions varies widely, estimated between 70 and 35,000, but this focuses on quantity rather than quality.
- Ethics is a philosophical branch that assesses the quality of decisions, asking what constitutes a good versus bad decision.
Core Questions of Ethics
- Ethics seeks to address practical questions: How should we live? What choices should we make? What makes life worth living?
- The study of ethics encompasses values, principles, beliefs, and norms, all of which shape decision-making processes.
Case Study: Lee's Dilemma
- A scenario presents a friend, Lee, struggling with depression who confides in you, asking for confidentiality.
- Another friend expresses frustration over Lee's repeated cancellation of plans, creating a conflict of interest between loyalty and concern.
Values and Principles
- Core values at play include trustworthiness (keeping Lee's secret) and compassion (potentially helping Lee by informing others).
- Ethical dilemmas arise from conflicting values, requiring a clear understanding of moral principles to navigate decisions.
Guiding Principles
- Different guiding principles can lead to different ethical choices:
- "Be true to your word" emphasizes confidentiality.
- "Act in people's best interests" may prioritize informing others about Lee's struggles.
Complexity of Ethical Decision Making
- Ethical decision-making is complicated due to the presence of ambiguities and conflicts between good versus good or right versus right.
- Selecting values and principles involves contextualization and balance to navigate dilemmas effectively.
The Role of Purpose
- Purpose serves as a guiding framework for ethical decisions; understanding the purpose of friendship in the context of supporting Lee is crucial.
- The decision to retain confidentiality respects Lee's agency, reflecting a commitment to the nature of friendship.
Impact of Choices
- Every decision influences the world; making intentional and justified choices ensures personal accountability.
- The importance lies in making choices that one can stand by and feel proud of globally, reinforcing the individual’s ethical ownership.
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Description
Explore the role of ethics in daily decision making through this quiz. This content highlights the importance of the quality of decisions over quantity and discusses how ethics serves as a tool for making better choices. Test your knowledge of key ethical concepts and practical applications.
