Ethics in Everyday Life

“It is wrong to eat meat”

Example 1

Some religions such as Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism do not eat meat. A primary moral that is focused on is non-violence and therefore eating meat in these religions is not morally acceptable, as it is hurting another form of life. Animals are considered to have rights, therefore it is morally wrong to raise and kill them for food. An animal that is raised for food is not respected for itself; rather, it is used by others for their own benefit.

What connections can be made between the real-life examples that you found, and the rules from any of the five moral systems we explored in this activity?

- Do not eat from a live animal (Seven Laws of Noah (Hebrew)

Example 1

“It is wrong to kill”

Example 2

Killing someone is morally wrong and goes against many religions:

Christanity: Thou shall not kill

Judaism: Jewish law rejects and forbids violence

Islam: Do not kill any person whom God has forbidden except through due process of law

Buddhism: Avoid killing, or harming any living thing.

Etc.

What connections can be made between the real-life examples that you found, and the rules from any of the five moral systems we explored in this activity?

- Do not murder (Seven Laws of Noah (Hebrew)

- Thou shalt not kill (The Ten Commandments: The Bible (Christian)

- Do not kill any person whom God has forbidden except through due process of law and do not kill your children because of the fear of poverty (The Ten Commandments: The Qur’an (Islam)

Example 2

Is it wrong to steal food for survival?

Example 1

Stealing is an example of normative ethics as it is a type of behavior that we have to decide if it is right or wrong. For example, attached below is a news article describing how an elderly lady shoplifted from a supermarket because she needed food but could not afford it. While stealing is morally wrong, was this the right decision for the lady to make to survive? That is where we have to decide what we feel is the right or wrong decision.

https://japantoday.com/category/crime/77-year-old-woman-arrested-for-shoplifting-from-supermarket

What connections can be made between the real-life examples that you found, and the rules from any of the five moral systems we explored in this activity?

- Do not steal (Seven Laws of Noah (Hebrew)

- Thou shalt not steal (The Ten Commandments: The Bible (Christian)

- Do not indulge in shameful acts whether openly or secretly (The Ten Commandments: The Qur’an (Islam)

Example 1

If you have examples that illustrate ‘immoral behaviour’ or any other behaviour that society would deem unacceptable, hypothesize why someone chose an action that was detrimental to society and possibly to herself or himself.

This lady chose an action that was detrimental to herself as she felt that stealing was the solution to solve her hunger and that it was possibly worth the risk of facing the consqeunces that might follow.

Were the punishments too lenient or the possibility of reward too high?

The lady was arrested as her punishment for this action. I do not feel the punishment was too lenient but feel as though she needs help and should be placed in a welfare program that will allow her access to food and she should be let off with a warning.

Example 1

“The Trolley Problem”

Is it wrong to kill one person to save many lives?

Example 2

The trolley problem is an ethical thought experiment about a fictional scenario in which a bystander has the option of saving 5 people in danger of being hit by a trolley by diverting the trolley to kill only one person. The trolley problem exemplifies a fundamental conflict between two moral points of view.

What connections can be made between the real-life examples that you found, and the rules from any of the five moral systems we explored in this activity?

- Do not murder (Seven Laws of Noah (Hebrew)

- Thou shalt not kill (The Ten Commandments: The Bible (Christian)

- Do not kill any person whom God has forbidden except through due process of law and do not kill your children because of the fear of poverty (The Ten Commandments: The Qur’an (Islam)

- Minwaadendamowin – Respect: Place others before yourself in your life; don’t look down on anyone (Anishinaabe Seven Grandfather Teachings)

Example 2

Capital Punishment (death penalty)

Example 1

By the end of 2021, 108 countries (more than two-thirds of the world) had got rid of the death penalty; however, 55 countries still use the death penalty. Why is it that some countries find it morally okay to use the death penalty while others do not?

The death penalty is frequently justified by the argument that society has a moral obligation to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens. Only by executing convicted murderers can society ensure that they do not kill again.

On the other hand, some argue that the death penalty is inhumane and is used as away of control rather than justice, as well is irreversible if new evidence or misconduct were ever found.

What connections can be made between the real-life examples that you found, and the rules from any of the five moral systems we explored in this activity?

- Do not murder (Seven Laws of Noah (Hebrew)

- Thou shalt not kill (The Ten Commandments: The Bible (Christian)

Example 1

Abortion Rights

Whether abortion is morally right ot wrong

Example 2

There is strong connection between people’s opinions of whether or not abortion is morally wrong & whether it should be illegal. In the US, 18 states, containing more than 25 million women of reproductive age, have restricted or prohibited access to abortion care, resulting in the harm of many women. Sickening stories from states where abortion is illegal exemplify the medical crisis that has engulfed nearly half of the country. I have attached the link below highlighting a few.

https://www.americanprogress.org/article/abortion-bans-will-result-in-more-women-dying/

Example 2

If you have examples that illustrate any behaviour that society would deem unacceptable, hypothesize why someone chose an action that was detrimental to society and possibly to herself or himself.

Much of society, even those not living in the US are upset by the ban on abortions in some states. I believe that someone chose this action (to ban abortions) as they felt that it was not detrimental to society but they felt this action was morally wrong. Which did not take into account the emotional and physical harm it can cause to women by having this right banned. Many women disagree with this ban and are very upset about having the right to choose for their own body taken away from them.