Duties and Consequences

The purpose of this module is to explore the contributions of Kant to our understanding of ethics in communication, to learn the definitions of terms—including universalism, categorical imperative, and utilitarianism—and to examine two types of ethical systems: duties and consequences.

During this module, you are expected to: Read from William W. Neher and Paul Sandin, Communicating Ethically

o Chapter 3: Dutieso Chapter 4: Consequences

Read/View Module Notes: Duties and Consequences

Read Module Notes: Important Terms in Ethics

Read the following article online:U.S. Public Health Service Syphilis Study at Tuskegee. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/tuskegee/index.html

Participate Discussions: o M2D1: The Whole Trutho M2D2: Applying Utilitarianism

Submit M2A1: Ethics of the Tuskegee Research Project Essay

In the textbook, Chapter 3 will introduce you to ethical duties and Immanuel Kant's categorical imperative. Chapter 4 discusses ethical consequences and compares and contrasts universalism with utilitarianism. As you read the assigned materials, make notes on the following concepts.

Immanuel Kant was an 18th century philosopher who was one of the most important figures in the period known as the Enlightenment. Kant believed that people should use scientific or rational reasoning to explain how the world worked, rather than rely on faith or revelation. Kant's ethical theory includes the concept of categorical imperative which applies in every situation with no exceptions. This imperative is similar to the golden rule, "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." His system of ethics involves the concept of duty and is called a deontological system.

Kant's ethical system was based on reasoning, but other ethical systems are based on divine command and human nature. The ethical system of divine command assumes obedience to a higher spiritual authority; whereas the system of human nature relies on natural law and is often referred to as naturalism.These systems are all known as universal systems because they are thought to apply to all people at all times under all circumstances. However, other ethical systems include situational ethics and encompass the concept of cultural relativism.

The concept of utilitarianism was introduced by Jeremy Bentham in the 19th century and extended by John Stuart Mill. Utilitarianism is derived from the word utility, meaning usefulness. The term implies that the ethical or right action is one that brings the greatest good to the greatest number. Rightness or

wrongness is determined by totaling the positive and negative outcomes of an action, and the one that produces the highest score of positives over negatives is the most ethical, or the right thing to do.

John Rawls extended the concept to consider egalitarianism, and concentrate the effects of actions on people as individuals. Placing oneself, hypothetically, in the "shoes" of the other person becomes a way to focus on the viewpoints of others involved in the consequences of our actions.

Ethics of the Tuskegee Research Project Essay

The purpose of this essay is to apply your knowledge of universalism or utilitarianism to a historic medical ethics case.

Review:

U.S. Public Health Service Syphilis Study at Tuskegee . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/tuskegee/index.html

At least two other sources on the Tuskegee case

After reading about the syphilis research project involving 600 black men, which began in 1932 and lasted for 40 years, respond to the following:

What were the ethical implications of the decisions taken at the time of the study? How can you apply the learning from this module (either universalism or utilitarianism)

to the Tuskegee case?

Your research should be documented by citing one or more credible sources such as a newspaper, a biographic article, book, or website.

Communication and Mass Media Complete, listed alphabetically, fifth down the list.

Be sure to check your essay for grammar and spelling errors before you submit it. Smarthinking—www.smarthinking.com—is available to assist you with your writing.

Your Essay should be 350–500 words in length, single spaced, and in APA format. Submit your essay in a Microsoft Word or Open Office and place it in the appropriate assignment dropbox.

Before you submit this assignment to the dropbox below, be sure to upload a copy to the "Final" dropbox for this assignment on Turnitin.com. A "Draft" dropbox is also available so that you can use the originality report provided as a learning tool to improve your work prior to final submission.

Keep the following in mind:

The ethical implications are adequately described. The concept of either universalism or utilitarianism is applied to this case.

All essay activities together count as 20% of your overall grade and will be graded using the SLA Writing Rubric.  Please review the rubric carefully so you understand how you will be graded.

DISCUSSION:

The Whole TruthBased on what you have read, respond to the following:

Is it ever right to lie? Why or why not? In what conditions do you believe it may be acceptable to not tell the truth? Can one ethically avoid lying by ambiguous statement or withholding part of the truth?

Give examples to illustrate your answers.

Your initial post should be at least 250 words and must substantively integrate the assigned readings from the module with proper APA style formatting.

Applying Utilitarianism

Most people consider that they practice some form of utilitarianism in thinking through their actions. Keeping this in mind, respond to the following:

Do you agree with this belief? Why or why not? Are the results of behavior all that really matter?

If things work out the best for nearly everyone involved, regardless of the intent, is this acceptable from an ethics point of view? Give examples to illustrate your answers.

Your initial post should be at least 250 words and must substantively integrate the assigned readings from the module with proper APA style formatting.

Notes Chapter 4

Notes Chapter 5