Question

Between 1962 (79 percent) and 2011 (61.4 percent) Voter turnout fell dramatically. According to a portion of its comparable Australia, New Zeland, and the United States, the Gallagher Index of Disproportionality for Canadian government races in that period ran from 6.26 to 20.91, yet altogether higher than many others such as Belgium, Germany, Ireland, the United States, and the Scandinavian nations.Consider the following situation: Julie and Mark are brother and sister. They are traveling together in France on summer vacation from college. One night they are staying alone in a cabin near the beach. They decide that it would be interesting and fun if they tried making love. Julie was already taking birth control pills, but Mark uses a condom too, just to be safe. They both enjoy making love, but they decide not to do it again.

(a) Briefly explain, in 100 words or less, why Julie and Mark’s actions would be morally wrong, according to Natural Law Theory. (10%)

(b) How would liberal ethics view Julie and Mark’s actions? Briefly explain, in 100 words or less. (5%)

Answer 1

1. According to natural law theory humans have a natural drive to conduct their daily activities,like eating, sleeping, drinking and reproducing. Thees actions are in conformity with a natural law for species to survive.Thus activities in accord with such a law are morally right. Activities that go against the law are morally wrong.

According to natural law, there are two types of persons, theists and atheists. The atheists do not believe in God and His laws, so sometimes indulge in wrong activities. But theists who believe in God and his laws, follow his path and perform the activities which are morally correct.

So according to Natural Law, the relationship between a brother and sister should be pure and divine. God has created this bond as the most strongest one and therefore, they should maintain this relationship as the gift of God. Any activities against this law would be considered as morally wrong. So here Julie and Mark's actions would be considered morally wrong because they are siblings and they have gone against the natural law.

2. Liberal ethics assumes that people should be ethical rather than rational. They should follow the right path while making decisions. Liberal ethics supports justice and virtuous behavior.

From ethical point of view, Julie and Mark are not right, they have misused their relationship. Every relationship has its boundaries, people should stay within these boundaries, act and behave in a manner which is ethically true. Unethical behavior makes a person guilty in the eye's of all. People can't accept them as a responsible citizen of the country.

Brother and sister relationship is defined by God and it is the most pure relationship in our society. Everybody should respect and maintain this relationship. It would be unethical to go beyond this relationship and indulge in wrong activities.

So liberal ethics will not consider Julie and Mark's actions as right.