Question

This is an individual assignment. In writing a paper about each problem, identify the consequences of the actions taken, and then determine whether the actions taken represented a greater good, who would benefit from the good, and whether the consequences ethically justify the decisions and actions.

The Mayor of a large city was given a free membership in an exclusive golf club by people who have received several city contracts. He also accepted gifts from organizations that have not done business with the City, but might in the future. The gifts ranged from $200 tickets to professional sports events to designer watches and jewelry.

A college instructor is pursuing her doctorate in night school. To gain extra time for her own studies, she gives her students the same lectures, the same assignments, and the same examinations semester after semester without the slightest effort to improve them.

Todd and Edna have been married for three years. They have had serious personal problems. Edna is a heavy drinker, and Todd cannot keep a job. Also, they have bickered and fought constantly since their marriage. Deciding that the way to overcome their problems is to have a child, they stop practicing birth control, and Edna becomes pregnant.

Using what you have learned from this weeks discussions and readings up to this week, explore your answers to these ethical dilemmas. How would Locke have addressed or solved the problem? Explain how his ethics and the answer he may have given are different from or the same as yours.

Compose a 2 page paper and oral narration of 2 minutes, discussing all three ethical dilemmas in depth.

Answer 1

1. The action of mayor is unethical. It does greater good for himself but not for the city and people.The mayor is accepting bribery which is a crime. Bribery is ithe act of receiving or giving something for influencing the actions of an official or other person in charge of a public or legal duty.Bribery is a felony. Being appointed by the people for serving as a representative for them the mayor is unfaithful . Locke should warn the mayor about the possible ill effects to the people because of his action or should remove mayor from his position and send him to prison.The bribery is given in a reason that the contracts were given to persons who are unfit for quality service.

2. The instructor is not meeting the requirements as a good instructor. She is compromising her ethical standards as instructor. Her students are not benefitted by her actions, as she is giving same assignments which were over before. The students are not helped to improve their knowledge. The instructor for her benefit destroys the time of students. Locke should congratulate the instructor about her doctorate and also explain her that she should be fair in her profession by helping the students to excel in their studies.

3.Todd and Edna are not responsible. They donot have savings to run a family. Todd is jobless and how he can take care of his wife and baby. Edna is alcoholic , so the baby may have fetal alcohol syndrome or still many more birth defects may be acquired. The decision taken by Todd and Edna to raise the family by bringing new baby is good but before planning pregnancy Edna should go to counselling to be free from alcohol consumption, and Todd should seek a good job to increase his savings. Locke may advice the couple to go for family counselling.