Ethics Project Report Fall 2020

Name – Maisha Zenan Hossain ( Srabony )

ID – 1531348630
Course No – PHI104
Course Title – Introduction to Ethics

Name and Initial of the Faculty – Dr. Md. Munir Hossain Talukder ( MnT )
Date- 30/12/20
 Contents

Introduction 2-6

Chapter 1: Coyote Hunting Contest 7-8

Chapter 2: Donation for Planting Trees? 9 - 10

Chapter 3: Plastic Water Bottle Ban 11 - 12

Conclusion 13

Bibliography 14
 Introduction

Ethics - Ethics is a branch of philosophy; it is moral philosophy or philosophical

thinking about morality, moral problems and moral judgments.

‘We may define ethics as the normative science of the conduct of human beings
living in societies-a science which judges this conduct to be right or wrong, to be
good or bad, or in some similar way.”

At its simplest, ethics is a system of moral principles. Ethics is concerned with what
is good for individuals and society and is also described as moral philosophy. The
term is derived from the Greek word ethos which can mean custom, habit,
character or disposition.

Ethics can also refer to a common human ability to think about ethical problems
that is not particular to philosophy. As bioethicist Larry Churchill has written:
"Ethics, understood as the capacity to think critically about moral values and direct
our actions in terms of such values, is a generic human capacity. Ethics can also
be used to describe a particular person's own idiosyncratic principles or habits.

Importance of Ethics-

 Ethics serve as a guide to moral daily living and helps us judge whether our

behavior can be justified. Ethics refers to society's sense of the right way of
 living our daily lives. It does this by establishing rules, principles, and values

on which we can base our conduct.

 Ethics is a requirement for human life. Ethics should be used to help each

people define their life so that they live according to the highest ideals that

they, as individuals, prescribe to. Ethics, and an adherence to their ideals, are

the guidelines that people use to judge their actions.

 Business is part of society. Whatever ethical principle apply in society apply

to business. Example tax evasion is considered unethical in society. If a

company deliberately evades tax payments the company is treated

unethical.

 Ethical behavior of an industry or business gives a win-win situation to all the

stakeholders and general public. The governments also encourage such

companies. The integrity and ethical practices become all-pervading in the

organization and increase organizational effectiveness.

Ethical Problems –
The problems as ethical problems such a definition implies that issues of

conflict and choice are central to moral dilemmas. Most bioethics texts

suggest that moral dilemmas or ethical problems invariably involve conflict,

choosing between equally desirable or undesirable alternatives, or balancing

options. An ethical dilemma is a problem in the decision-making

process between two possible options, neither of which is absolutely

acceptable from an ethical perspective. Although we face many ethical and

moral problems in our lives, most of them come with relatively

straightforward solutions. On the other hand, ethical dilemmas are

extremely complicated challenges that cannot be easily solved. Therefore,

the ability to find the optimal solution in such situations is critical to

everyone. Every person may encounter an ethical dilemma in almost every

aspect of their life, including personal, social, and professional. Some

examples of ethical problems are –

1. Unethical Leadership. Having a personal issue with your boss is one thing,

but reporting to a person who is behaving unethically is another.

2. Toxic Workplace Culture.

3. Discrimination and Harassment.

4. Unrealistic and Conflicting Goals.

5. Questionable Use of Company Technology.

 Chapter 1: Coyote Hunting Contest

1.1 Theory Analysis: Kant’s Ethical Theory - Kantian ethics refers to a

deontological ethical theory developed by German philosopher

Immanuel Kant that is based on the notion that: "It is impossible to

think of anything at all in the world, or indeed even beyond it, that

could be considered good without limitation except a good will." Kant

himself says, "the search for and establishment of the supreme

principle of morality" (AK 4: 392).4 That supreme principle, which

Kant calls the categorical imperative, commands simply that our

actions. One of the biggest criticisms of Kantian ethics is that it

discounts outcome as a valid factor in evaluating the morality of an

action. While it is not necessarily wise to rely solely on outcome (as

in utilitarianism/consequentialism), it is not a good idea to

completely ignore the outcome altogether.

1.2 Problem Analysis: Coyote Hunting Contest –

After reading on the subject, it’s clear that indiscriminately killing

hundreds of coyotes in a small area is unsportsmanlike and

ecologically disruptive. They use calls to kill as many coyotes as

possible to win prizes like guns and gear. Many times coyotes killed
 are left in heaps. Ethical hunters use the animals they harvest and

respect the environment they hunt in. Stop the Madness is a local

group that is asking for an end to these outdated contests and

encourages ethical hunting of coyotes and other wildlife.

1.3 Solution of the Problem –

The real reason these “hunters” object to coyotes killing fawns is the

fawn will not be available to hunt and shoot as an adult. Killing

contests also increase rather than reduce coyote litter size because

there is more available food. This also provides more “kills” during

contests. There are numerous ways to protect against livestock

predation even on large ranches. All one has to do is Google non-

lethal predation ranch management or contact organizations that

promote the same. Coyotes play an incredibly important role in the

balance of our ecosystem. They help ranchers, farmers, country- and

city-dwellers by controlling rodent populations.

 Chapter 2: Donation for Planting Trees

2.1 Theory Analysis: Utilitarianism

Utilitarianism is one of the best known and most influential moral theories.

Utilitarianism is one of the most powerful and persuasive approaches to

normative ethics in the history of philosophy. Its core idea is that whether

actions are morally right or wrong depends on their effects. They reject

moral codes or systems that consist of commands or taboos that are based

on customs, traditions, or orders given by leaders or supernatural beings.

Instead, utilitarian’s think that what makes a morality be true or justifiable is

its positive contribution to human. Utilitarianism is also distinguished by

impartiality and agent-neutrality. Everyone's happiness counts the same.

When one maximizes the good, it is the good impartially considered.

2.2 Problem Analysis: Donation for Trees

A problem tree provides an overview of all the known causes and effect to

an identified problem. A solution tree identifies means-end relationships as

opposed to cause-effects. This provides an overview of the range of projects

or interventions that need to occur to solve the core problem. Lack of

Mineral Recycling and Nutrients. Trees in our landscape frequently suffer

from a lack of nutrients, Compacted Soils, Opportunistic Pests, Mechanical

and Natural Damage, Restricted Root Space.

2.3 Solution for the Problem –

The most common and known purpose of tree plantation is forestry. The forest is

very important for maintaining the ecological balance of the environment of the

earth. Also, earlier the forest use to cover a major part of the surface of the earth.

But, now due to the rapid cut down of forest due to industries, and land for

settlement the number of forests has reduced. Apart from that, the forest grows

naturally but in order to increase the speed of reforestation, our contribution is a

must for it. Also, it will help the forest to recover from the loss due to deforestation.

Furthermore, with our help, the pace of tree plantation can be increased.

utilitarianism as the best defensible approach to increase tree donations.

Utilitarianism is a theory that seeks to increase the greatest good for the greatest

amount of people (Pense2007, 61). The utilitarian theory is the best approach

because it maximizes a tree donation (which are the greater good) so that the

number of lives saved would increase along with the quality of life, and also saves

money and time.

 Chapter 3: Plastic Water Bottle Ban

3.1 Theory Analysis: Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics –

Aristotle said what we seek is eudemonia. Eudemonia is better expressed as

“well-being” or “excellence of performing the proper function”. Aristotle is

not looking for a list of items that are good. He assumes that such a list can

be compiled rather easily; most would agree, for example, that it is good to

have friends, to experience pleasure, to be healthy, to be honoured, and to

have such virtues as courage at least to some degree. Aristotle's search for

the good is a search for the highest good, and he assumes that the highest

good, whatever it turns out to be, has three characteristics:

1. it is desirable for itself,

2. it is not desirable for the sake of some other good, and

3. all other goods are desirable for its sake

3.2 Problem Analysis: Plastic Water Bottle Ban

The manufacturing process of plastic water bottles alone releases tons of

carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year. As a result, the surrounding

oxygen becomes contaminated, making it harder to breathe and, in some

regions, even making the residents sick. Bottled Water May

Contain Harmful Chemicals: Plastic water bottles have the potential to

contain chemicals, some of which can affect our health and interfere with

our natural hormones. Common chemicals found in bottled water include

BPA, phthalates, and Biphenyl-A.

3.3 Solution for the Problem –

As Aristotle’s virtue ethics there are three crucial aspects to the success

of banning single-use plastic bottled water at schools. Affordable reusable,

100% recyclable aluminum bottles. New water refill stations. Environmental

education to encourage reuse and recycling. Single-use plastics (such

as plastic water bottles) add to our landfills, pollute our oceans, and cause

untold devastation to wildlife and the environment as a whole. What's

more, plastic water bottle production contributes to climate change.

 Conclusion

Despite all the positive contributions of Kant’s moral thought, one

final difficulty plagues the theory. Kant argued that the good life is a

life of duty and that other lives are not worthwhile. For Kant, the

principle is the categorical imperative and for Mill it is the principle of

utility. The ultimate principle in natural law is to promote the good or

natural and in contract theory it is to do what is in our own interest.

In other hand, Aristotle’s also thoughts on ethics conclude that all

humans must have a purpose in life in order to be happy.

He recognizes the importance of circumstances, customs and

individual talents that enter into all moral actions. His ethics tends

toward a reasoned.
Bibliography
There are no sources in the current document.

https://opentextbc.ca/businessethicsopenstax/chapter/utilitarianism-the-greatest-good-
for-the-greatest-number/

https://www.wiscnews.com/baraboonewsrepublic/opinion/mailbag/coyote-killing-
contests-represent-unethical-hunting/article_7a991eae-37d7-57d8-9953-
eeb6c227f382.html

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-ethics/

https://www.qcc.cuny.edu/socialsciences/ppecorino/intro_text/Chapter%208%20Ethics/
CONCLUSION.htm