The Elements of Moral Philosophy (Essay Sample)

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Application Essay: The Elements of Moral Philosophy
Question 1: Picking the topic of same sex-marriage, which theory (theories) that we have discussed (Ethical Subjectivism, Simple Subjectivism, Emotivism, The Divine Command Theory, Natural Law, Ethical Egoism, Psychological Egoism, and Altruism) best explains this issue? Why or why not? Give AT LEAST three reasons.
Same-sex marriage is a topic that has been long debated by scholars from all walks of life. Many conservatives and religious entities argue against it while others who call themselves freethinkers support it. Homosexuality as a practice is best explained using the ethical subjectivism theory, the natural law theory, and the theory of emotivism. Unlike the case of simple subjectivism when a person’s approval or disapproval of something becomes an absolute truth, ethical subjectivism allows people to have different morals/ opinions of the “facts” (Rachels 33). Despite various arguments proposed by other theories gay marriage should be abolished since it upsets the natural order of life and devalues the opposite sex.
Arguments that support same-sex marriage use the perspective of individual happiness to support their position. Rachels states that achieving happiness for gays and lesbians, as well as other people, implies spending time and building a future with a loved one. The concept of allowing people to find their own happiness challenges the critics who state that homosexuality is unnatural and morally wrong. Sex is a passionate activity that creates deep urges within many human beings, and if these needs are not satisfied, most of these people may never find happiness in life (Rachels 44). The arguments for and against same-sex unions fall under the theory of emotivism because they do not depict facts, rather, they convey people’s attitudes. The opinions aim at influencing the social behavior of human beings (Rachels 36-37).
The theory of natural law, based on Aristotle’s philosophy, holds that everything has a role to play in the world. Society possesses a rational order where everything has a value and purpose (Rachels 53). According to the natural law theory, a man and a woman were born in such a way that they can procreate freely. The idea of same-sex marriage does not conform to the descriptive laws of nature. Therefore, homosexuality is an unnatural practice since it does not allow for the creation of progeny. The ideology of ethical subjectivism is a statement that the moral opinions and attitudes of people are based on someone’s beliefs about a particular subject or thing. There is no credible evidence as to what is right and what things are wrong (Rachels 32). Question 2: Picking the topic of abortion, which theory (theories) that we have discussed (Ethical Subjectivism, Simple Subjectivism, Emotivism, The Divine Command Theory, Natural Law, Ethical Egoism, Psychological Egoism, and Altruism) best explains this issue? Why or why not? Give AT LEAST three reasons.
The subject of abortion can be argued from different philosophical perspectives due to the mixed feelings in relation to its practice. Abortion can be described using the divine command theory, the natural law theory, and most importantly, the theory of ethical subjectivism. According to Rachels (47), trying to live according to the Biblical views would make one go crazy. James Rachels’ comments show that one cannot truly rely on the divine command theory as a basis for discrediting abortion because the 21st century is different from the ancient days. The best argument is that women should have the right to exercise their ideas, attitudes, opinions, and free will in their own lives.
The mother of the unborn child is the one who suffers from rape cases, unplanned pregnancies, and the burden of carrying and nurturing the child for many years after giving birth. Although it is advisable for an individual who wants to abort to undergo the counselling and guidance process, the final decision lies with the mother of the unborn child. Rachels (58-59) outlines that any practice that is induced by man is unnatural and wrong. However, the case of rape is also wrong and unnatural because sex should be between willing partners.
In the event of abortion, the mother lives with the consequences, which may be fatal or life changing. If the baby is not aborted due to social or legal constraints, the life of a rape victim can be affected, and they may never love their progeny, which is against the natural law theory (Rachels 58). Therefore, the decision to abort or not should not be legally or socially constrained because it would only serve as an ethical subjectivism opinion.Question 3: Picking the topic of female excision, which theory (theories) that we have discussed (Ethical Subjectivism, Simple Subjectivism, Emotivism, The Divine Command Theory, Natural Law, Ethical Egoism, Psychological Egoism, and Altruism) best explains this issue? Why or why not? Give AT LEAST three reasons.
In the case of female excision, various communities have different definitions of what is culturally right or wrong. Morality is a set of beliefs that exist within the members of a particular community. Female genital mutilation is a practice that is recurrent in most African countries as a culture in the native tribes. However, the foundation of female circumcision is vague and purely mythical, which only goes to harm and desensitize the many women who undergo this torture (Rachels 25). Therefore, female excision should be illegalized since it reduces the quality of life, harms the individual, and occasionally causes death. The abolishment is best supported by the theory of altruism.
Moral agents are under an obligation to emancipate the individuals who take part in the female circumcision without the knowledge of its side effects and repercussions. Although cultural relativism holds that people should be allowed to practice their own culture, human rights demand that every person be granted say over their own life. Most of the female excision exercises do not allow for this, which prompts the altruists to step in and educate the young girls and women who indulge in this unnatural ritual (Rachels 29).
The mutilation desensitizes the female genitals, which deprives the girls of the ability to enjoy intercourse. Sex is the basis of happiness in the marital lives of many people. Grafting the genitalia also leaves a huge scar on the woman, and research has also shown that the open wound is prone to infections that can lead to death. The victims can also bleed to death as a result of the non-anesthetic surgery (END FGM par. 1).Question 4: Picking the topic of mercy killing, which theory (theories) that we have discussed (Ethical Subjectivism, Simple Subjectivism, Emotivism, The Divine Command Theory, Natural Law, Ethical Egoism, Psychological Egoism, and Altruism) best explains this issue? Why or why not? Give AT LEAST three reasons.
The act of mercy killing (euthanasia) can be explained through two perspectives: one that is in the best interest of the person who pulls the plug and one that benefits the victim (Rachels 98). Sometimes, people or even animals can suffer from great pain after accidents or illnesses, which means that a human being or animal can either have a slow and excruciating death, or can never perform the normal tasks that require motility. The execution of mercy killings falls under the concepts of altruism and ethical egoism. Euthanasia should only be allowed when appropriate consent is given and when it is imperative. It relieves the victim from agonizing pain, and it saves the family or relatives from financial ruin and the pain of having to see their loved on suffer for the rest of their lives (Rachels 98). Altruism applies because the individuals are usually acting in the best interest of the victim, whereas ethical egoism theory defines the actions of the family or relatives as being motivated by selfishness in terms of monetary issues.
The divine command theory states that one shall not kill. However, the concept behind living is to enjoy it and make the most of what one can become in society. Therefore, if an animal is run over by a car or deeply wounded in an explosion, it is only sensible to ease its pain and mystery by ending its life (Rachels 108). Sometimes, human beings contract brain tumors, and they only find out when in its mature stage. The delay in diagnosis causes the person to start losing their motile senses gradually. A doctor or relative can recommend euthanasia or initiate it because the patient becomes a “vegetable” in most cases (Rachels 98). The mercy killing saves the victims’ family money that could otherwise have been used in life support, and the resultant stress that would reduce the quality of their lives (Rachels 90).Question 5: Picking the topic of feeding the starving as a duty, which theory (theories) that we have discussed (Ethical Subjectivism, Simple Subjectivism, Emotivism, The Divine Command Theory, Natural Law, Ethical Egoism, Psychological Egoism, and Altruism) best explains this issue? Why or why not? Give AT LEAST three reasons.
The ideology of feeding the poor as an obligation is something that has been advocated for by most religious entities, especially Christianity. The Biblical teachings outline that a man shall not turn away from his neighbor in need (Rachels 57). Other moral agents take it upon themselves to help others. The virtue of philanthropy forms a solid argument in favor of altruists, those who follow the divine command theory, and the psychological egoism theory. It is unfair to force someone to give to the hungry against their will because it beats the whole concept of altruism. The act of giving should be voluntary, it should be done without the expectation ...