Respond to one of the following prompts:
Prompt #1: Imagine a scenario where there has been a serious crime in a town, and the Sheriff is trying to prevent serious rioting. He knows this rioting will likely bring destruction, injury, and maybe even death. He has no leads; he has not the slightest idea who committed the crime. However, he can prevent these riots by lying to the town and framing an innocent man. No one will miss the man, and he is hated in the town. If he frames and jails this innocent man, convincing people to believe that this man committed the crime, then the town will be placated, and people will not riot.
Discuss the moral implications of lying by selecting one of the ethical perspectives below:
What would a virtue ethicist, a Kantian, OR a utilitarian have us do in this case if we were the sheriff? In other words, should we lie according to virtue ethics? What considerations and core principles would a virtue ethicist identify as essential to think about concerning this case? (USLOs 7.1, 7.2, 7.3)
Reference: McCloskey, H. J., ‘A Non-Utilitarian Approach to Punishment,’ in Philosophical Perspectives on Punishment, ed. by Gertrude Ezorsky (Albany: State University of New York Press, 1972), 119–34.
Prompt #2: Imagine a nurse entrusted with the critical responsibility of patient care succumbing to the temptation to steal medications. This scenario presents a profound ethical dilemma. How can we justify, if at all, such an act? Is there ever a morally acceptable reason for a nurse to take medications, whether for personal use or to help others outside of official protocols?
Drawing on an ethical theory from our course, please explore the moral dimensions of this issue. Consider the ramifications for patients, the healthcare organization for which the nurse works, and the nursing profession’s moral integrity as a whole.
In your response, clearly articulate your position, using the core principles of virtue ethics, Kantian ethics, or utilitarianism to support your view. (Select only one of these ethical systems to focus your response.) Aim for a thoughtful analysis that reflects deep engagement with the ethical complexities of this situation. (USLOs 7.4, 7.5, 7.6)
