life has choices
What’s the right choice? Let’s make a game of making the right choices. Use principles, and decide which principles matter.
Be truthful or be tactful? Keep a promise to stay or leave for something better? Treat everyone equally or give more to those we care about? Life has some hard choices. What’s the right choice? You, the Jury makes a game of making the right choices. You will learn about values-based decision-making in the process, resolve a wide range of dilemmas, and sort out which principles are valuable to you. Sixty scenarios.
Faux Fashion
Sally bought a brand new dress, of vomit coloured hues. It matched her tacky plastic purse, and polka-dotted shoes.
She thinks it’s great and sure to set, a trend in what to wear. So she struts with head held high, when others stop to stare.
Her friend Marcelle has fashion sense. His input’s often sought. Does he love the artsy clothes, that Sally just now bought?
In honesty he sees the clash, so should he tell her so? Or maybe spare her feelings, saying Yes but meaning No ?
Marcelle could:
- tell Sally that her clothes clash
- fib to make Sally feel good
- fib, but refuse to be in public with Sally
- be vague, then shop with Sally to give tips
KERI: Be vague, then shop with Sally to give tips. Keri’s principles of respect (K1) and integrity (K2) would guide Marcelle to handle the situation with honesty while also being considerate of Sally’s feelings. By offering to shop with Sally, Marcelle can provide constructive feedback in a supportive way, fostering a positive and respectful interaction.
MILO: Fib to make Sally feel good. From Milo’s utilitarian perspective, the action leading to Sally’s greatest happiness involves telling a white lie to preserve her feelings (M1). However, Milo would also consider Sally’s long-term happiness, potentially leading to a more nuanced approach that balances immediate kindness with helpful guidance.
NICO: Tell Sally that her clothes clash. Nico’s virtue ethics would focus on the virtues of honesty and courage (V1). Marcelle should be truthful with Sally, as honesty is key to a strong and virtuous friendship. This approach respects Sally’s autonomy and supports her growth.
ZURI: Be vague, then shop with Sally to give tips. Zuri’s care ethics prioritize empathy (C1) and interdependence (C3). By choosing a gentle approach that offers to help Sally with fashion tips, Marcelle demonstrates care and consideration for her feelings, strengthening their friendship through supportive actions.
DAMIEN: Fib, but refuse to be in public with Sally. Damien’s self-centred and inconsistent rules (D1, D2) might lead Marcelle to prioritize his own image over honesty or the potential impact on Sally’s feelings, suggesting a compromise that avoids direct confrontation but also avoids personal embarrassment.
ELIANA: Be vague, then shop with Sally to give tips. Eliana’s principles of compassion (show empathy and understanding) and cooperation (encourage and contribute to team effort) would guide Marcelle to approach the situation with kindness and a willingness to help. This method allows Marcelle to support Sally’s fashion choices positively while guiding her towards more harmonious selections.
Kant
Keri is Kant.
Immanuel Kant, an 18th-century German philosopher, is known for his deontological ethical theory, often called Kantian ethics.
Kant is a big fan of reason and duty. In Kant’s view, people deserve respect because we can reason. That means human life is worthy of consideration. Animal life is less so. Since we are all worthy of respect, we are equal. Equal in worth and in what we are free to do. When harm is done, punish the guilty out of respect for the victim.
Here is a simplified characterization of Kant’s ethics.
- K1 Respect: Value yourself and others; don’t treat people as tools, and don’t allow yourself to be used.
- K2 Integrity: Do your duties, be truthful, and always keep your word.
- K3 Sacredness: All human life is important, no matter the quality.
- K4 Equality: Treat everyone fairly and equally, whoever they are.
- K5 Liberty: Do as you please, as long as it doesn’t stop others from doing the same.
- K6 Justice: Punish those who do wrong because that is fair; the punishment should be proportionate (fit the crime).
- K7 Stewardship: Only humans have rights and intrinsic worth, but also care for animals and nature.
- K8 Freedom: Everyone has a natural right to be free.
- K9 Recognition: Show respect based on the inherent value everyone inherently has.
For Kant, morality was not about the consequences of actions but the motives behind them. Actions are only moral when performed out of duty, not because they produce pleasant outcomes.
Non-Maleficence
Non-maleficence is not causing harm to others, upholding their rights to safety and well-being.
Non-Maleficence is the duty not to harm. A caregiver should not intentionally create needless harm or injury. More generally, all people must prevent harm to others as far as possible without undue harm to themselves.
- A manufacturer tests toys for toddlers to ensure no parts can be pulled off and pose a choking hazard.
- Despite the patient’s request, her physician refuses to use blood-letting to treat headaches as it has not proven effective.
- A pharmacy dispenses arthritis medications for adults in bottles with easy-open lids.
Duty (Kantian Ethics)
The principle of Non-maleficence aligns with several of Kant’s principles. Respecting individuals and not using them as mere means to an end (K1) inherently discourages causing harm. Also, the natural right to freedom (K8) can be interpreted as a right to safety and well-being.
Utility (Utilitarian Ethics)
Non-maleficence corresponds with two fundamental principles of Mill’s ethics. The Liberty rule (M5 – Do as you please, as long as those actions do not cause harm to others) directly advocates for avoiding damage. Consequentialism (M2 – Judge actions by considering their potential long-term consequences) could also encompass avoiding actions that lead to harm.
Care (Care Ethics)
Several points in Gilligan’s Care Ethics reflect Non-maleficence. Actively practicing empathy (C1) and respectful listening (C4) helps prevent harm. Mindfulness (C7) of power dynamics guards against exploitation or harm resulting from imbalance.
Virtue (Virtue Ethics)
Non-maleficence is not explicitly stated as a principle in Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics but is compatible with certain ideas. The Virtue Ethics principle of Courage (V7) implies that we should exhibit resilience without causing harm, which aligns with the essence of non-maleficence.
Moreover, the cornerstone of Aristotelian Virtue Ethics is about cultivating and practicing virtues— positive character traits, such as kindness and generosity. It would be inherently contradictory to these virtues to cause harm to others. Eudaimonia (V9), the ultimate goal in Aristotle’s ethics, refers to flourishing and living well, and causing harm to others can significantly conflict with this ideal.
