Initial Post Instructions
Rather than living in chaos, danger, and the hostility of our neighbors, we find ways to live together. It isn’t easy, but can we avoid doing so?
If everybody has self-interest in their own welfare and safety, then everybody also has self-interest in the welfare and safety of others. Self-interest involves community interest, and we must think about what we are willing to give up in order to get that safety and stability for ourselves, our families, our community, our nation, and even the world.
Thomas Hobbes and John Locke are just two examples of social contract moralists. Locke’s philosophy helped Thomas Jefferson formulate the United States Declaration of Independence. We are interested in what it means to live together in an orderly way under a social contract.
For the initial post, address one of the following sets of questions:
What is a time when you or someone you know of experienced a conflict between duty to self and loyalty to the community? What would logical reasoning say should be done in that case? Why that? What would an Ethical Egoist say to do? Why would they say to do that? Note what you feel is the best course of action.
What is a time when you or someone you know experienced a clash between professional duties and familial duties? Reference a professional code such as that of the American Nurses Association or American Bar Association in explaining the clash. What moral values should have been used in that case? Why those values? What would social contract ethics have said to have done? Why would social contract ethics say that? Note what you feel is the best course of action.
Articulate and evaluate a time when you or someone you know saw personal obligations collide with national obligations. How did that tension involve differing positions on a moral debate? Did those positions rely on any key moral theories? If so, how so? If not, why not? Note what you feel is the best course of action.
Follow-Up Post Instructions
Respond to at least one peer. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.
PLEASE REPOND TO THIS PEER’S POST SEPARETELY
Hello Class,
A friend once faced a conflict between her ambition and her loyalty to her community. She was offered a high-paying job in a different city, but accepting it would mean leaving her local community where she was actively involved in various social initiatives.
Logical Reasoning
Logical reasoning would suggest weighing the pros and cons of both options. This could involve considering factors such as
the potential benefits of the new job (for example higher salary, career advancement )
The potential drawbacks of leaving the community (for example loss of social connection, impact on ongoing initiatives).
After evaluating these factors, the logical course of action would be to choose the opinion that offers the most benefits and the least drawbacks.
Ethical Egoism
An “ethical egoist would argue that one should act in their self-interest” (Rachels, 2022). In this case, they would likely advise my friend to accept the job offer, as it would lead to personal gain in salary and career advancement.
Best Course of Action
In my opinion, the best course of action would depend on the individual’s values and priorities. If my friend values her career advancement more than her community involvement, she should accept the job offer. However, if she values her community involvement more, she should decline the offer. It’s important to make a decision that aligns with one’s personal values and long-term goals.
References:
Rachels, J.R. S. (2022). The Elements of Moral Philosophy (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill Higher Education (US).
Daanen, P., Moghaddam, F. M., & Sammut, G. (2013). Understanding the self and others : explorations in intersubjectivity and intersubjectivity. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203331415
