Question

Ethical Reasoning, Values, and Critical Reasoning

This week’s discussion question asks you to draw upon the interactive lecture and readings for this week and address two of the following four questions regarding concepts of ethical reasoning:

1. What is the essential basis for ethical reasoning, according to Paul and Elder? Why are ethical principles not a matter of subjective preference?
2. How might reasoning processes be used to achieve unethical goals? What examples of this have you witnessed in your personal or professional life?

Answer 1

What is the essential basis for ethical reasoning, according to Paul and Elder?

Following are the essential basis for ethical reasoning:

(1)All reasoning has a purpose

(2)All reasoning is an attempt to figure something out, to settle some question, to solve some problem

(3)All reasoning is based on assumptions

(4)All reasoning is done from some point of view

(5)All reasoning is based on data, information and evidence

(6)All reasoning is expressed through, and shaped by, concepts and ideas

(7)All reasoning contains inferences or interpretations by which we draw conclusions and give meaning to data

(8)All reasoning leads somewhere or has implications and consequences

Why are ethical principles not a matter of subjective preference?

Ethical principles are not a matter of subjective preference because all reasonable people are obligated to respect clear-cut ethical concepts and principles. Ethical concepts and principles are distinguished from the norms and taboos of society and peer group, religious teachings, political ideologies, and the law.

How might reasoning processes be used to achieve unethical goals?

The reasoning processes are the way in which people are thinking and arrive with conclusions on the way they make their decisions. However, the thinking processes can also be used in a way that will promote unethical behavior or achieve unethical goals in the sense that people can take a situation and condition as per their benefit and take decisions which are benefitting them on behalf of other’s cost and harm which may lead to unethical goals.

What examples of this have you witnessed in your personal or professional life?

In professional life, I have seen one of my colleagues, who was in Vendor development team and he received bribe from suppliers for his benefit. After getting bribe, he ordered low quality materials on his company expenses. This was clearly unethical and against code of conduct. Ultimately, he was fired.

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