Question

Write 3 short paragraphs of at least four sentences each on:

1. What would an Utilitarian say about spanking? Is it the greatest good for the greatest number?
2. What would a Duty ethicist say about spanking? Consider Kant’s second formulation, that all human beings should be treated only as ends in themselves. Or, should this be determined by looking at nature or a religious text?
3. What would a Virtue Ethicist say? Consider Aristotle’s Golden Mean. How does your spanking your children reflect on your character?

Answer 1

Utilitarian ethics suggests that an act would be considered ethical if it maximizes benefits for maximum number of people. This would mean that spanking is good for not only the child but also the parents. Because children cannot decide things on themselves and they would act on impulses, it’s the responsibility of the parents to keep the children in the right track. In order to do it, parents may spank their children as it would keep them active and alert on the expected behaviour thus avoiding trouble in the future for everyone in the society.

Duty ethics suggests that an act would be considered ethical if it fulfils duty without worrying about the consequences. Bringing up a child as per the expectations is the duty of the parents and in order to do that, they could spank the child. This would mean that parents have the right and responsibility to raise a child as a better person. Thus, when parents do their duty by using any means to get the child in the right path, children would not only become responsible citizens in the future but also wouldn’t engage in the unexpected behaviour in the present.

Virtue ethics suggests that the action would be considered virtuous depending on the person’s character. This would mean that good people would always engage in good behaviours. Placing one’s actions in the mean by balancing the excess and the deficiency in order to get the best outcome for those involved. Thus, parents as virtuous people could spank the child because it’s in the best interest of the child.

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