Ethics and Morals

Paper Summary:

The paper offers the ethical dilemma of whether a poor person can steal to procure medications that will save the life of his wife. The paper defines morality and ethics and explores the traditional Catholic, Buddhist and Islamic teachings on morality that all teach that the act to steal is morally unacceptable. The paper then turns to the views of philosophers, namely, Niccolo Machiavelli, John Locke and Immanual Kant. The paper explains how these theorists argue that the end should justify the means and that morality can be adjusted to an individual's necessity. The paper then offers the personal opinion that the action of stealing is in place only if there is nothing else the poor person can do.

From the Paper:

"In man's daily life, he encounters situations where he must choose between doing what is right and what is acceptable. In reality, the acceptable act is not entirely good, but there are some who justify such acts, thinking that carrying out such acts will benefit humanity more. Women engage into prostitution because they need money to feed their families. Some opt to undergo abortion because they think giving birth to a child in this grief-stricken world will do him more harm. Countries may wage war, killing thousands of people, supposedly for the benefit of the common good - whichever the common good is designed for. In the case of Heinz, he and his wife are stricken by poverty. His wife has a very grave illness and needs quite expensive medications. If Heinz's wife does not receive her medications, this may contribute to her demise. Heinz cannot afford to buy her medication. What should Heinz do?"

Sample of Sources Used:

• BBC. (2008). The case against Caiaphas. [Online.] Retrieved 26 August 2008 from the Web site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/history/whokilledjesus_1.shtml
• Bradley, M. (2008). Bible 10 Commandments List. [Online.] Retrieved 27 August 2008 from the Web site: http://www.bible-knowledge.com/10-Commandments.html
• BuddhaNet. (2008). A Basic Buddhism Guide: Buddhist Ethics. [Online.] Retrieved 27 August 2008 from the Web site: http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/budethics.htm
• Dodson, K. E. (1 October 2003). "Kant's socialism: a philosophical reconstruction." Social Theory and Practice, 24(9): 525-538.
• Dolhenty, J. (2003). John Locke, Philosopher of Liberty. [Online.] Retrieved 27 August 2008 from the Web site: http://radicalacademy.com/lockebio.htm

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