More Subjects
Name
Professor name
Subject
May 05, 2019
Ethical dilemma
Argument: is it unethical for president Trump to use derogatory comments against the minority population.
The ethical dilemma deals with the derogatory comments made by Trump against African-Americans and immigrants. Dilemma refers to the issue of Trump making derogatory remarks on immigrants including Africans, Latinos and Asians. It is ethically wrong to use harsh words and criticize them. Under a utilitarian approach, the solution of an ethical dilemma involves choosing to sacrifice an individual for saving a greater number of people. Causing harm to a single person is not wrong when one has to save many people. Utilitarian judgment involves the range of complex issues such as rejection of impartial concern for attaining a greater good. The approach involves cost-benefit analysis that leads to the greater good. It involves, “to be willing to sacrifice one person to save a greater number is mere to reject (or overrule) one such non-utilitarian rule. Such rejection, however, is compatible with accepting extreme non-utilitarian rules in many other contexts—rules about lying, retribution, fairness or property” CITATION Guy15 \l 1033 (Jim, Brian and Miguel). It is important for public administrators to adopt ethical values in the problem-solving process. The concept emphasizes on how public agents will act in public settings. Dealing with an ethical dilemma in public administration requires critical decision-making as it focuses on choosing the best solution. Under utilitarian concept making derogatory remarks is unethical at it threatens the global image of America. Damaging global reputation will influence all Americans ultimately, depicting greater loss, which makes Trump's remarks unethical.
Public agents adopt the utilitarian approach and accept their accountability. The primary solution for resolving an ethical dilemma involves knowing values. It states that Trump must hold certain values that society recognizes. Before applying the values, an individual must know what those values are. Under the utilitarian approach, the resolution of an ethical dilemma depends on personal beliefs regarding the importance of saving a larger number of people. It also emphasizes on sacrificing self because the emphasis of the theory is on benefiting the larger population. Knowing values involving searching for reasoning associated with every decision of an individual. Reasoning about morality reflects choosing for greater happiness. The moral standards emphasize the happiness of many. It involves thinking if the action is just or unjust. It states, "discourse about values that ought to guide conduct was considered as a value in itself that would bring about virtue and happiness if sought after persistently and systematically” CITATION Ant02 \l 1033 (Makrydemetres). The decision-maker face sets of alternatives and need to choose the most appropriate option. They are accountable to the parliament and the public depicting the need for taking actions that result in the greater good. The principles of virtue motivate them to take decisions that concentrate on the happiness of masses. Utilitarianism focuses on the status quo of majority's happiness. The principle of virtue emphasizes the benefit of many that exhibit the idea of equality. The public agents focus on taking actions that lead to the maximization of satisfaction. Providing a benefit to the greater number of people depicts their reliance on utilitarian approach CITATION Guy15 \l 1033 (Jim, Brian and Miguel),
Imperative of accountability help public administrators in solving an ethical dilemma. They know that they are accountable to the parliament and the public. The thought keeps them away from taking actions that threaten their accountability. The concept of democratic virtue also explains the role of accountability in their actions and decisions. The principle of accountability will allow them to take actions that help them in fulfilling their duty. They exhibit spirits of neutrality and discretion in their official capacity in the performance of their duties. Their primary role is to adopt democratic virtues that allow them to perform their duties according to ethical values. Moral integrity is also part of their accountability allowing them to sacrifice self for the benefit of the larger population CITATION Ant02 \l 1033 (Makrydemetres). The self-sacrificing concept explains that Trump's role in making derogatory remarks is unethical as he ignored the public's benefit.
The second principle of virtue identified by utilitarian approach is imperative of legality. The principal plays a dominant role in motivating public agents to take roles that are within legal aspects. Max Weber recognizes the principle as a legitimation of authority. It states, "respect for and application of the principle of legality entails a particular type of control on the administrative action that aims to see that public administration operates within the context of the law established by the legislature (Parliament)" CITATION Ant02 \l 1033 (Makrydemetres). Trump's comments were not supported by the majority of parliamentarians that again makes him unethical. The purpose of the principle is to allow public agents inefficient decision-making that fulfils the legal conditions. The rule of law states that the agent follows the principles and conditions highlighted by justice and administration.
Counter-argument
The counter-argument states that a leader can make comments on races when they threaten the masses. The argument states that the increase in immigrants has threatened the socio-economic aspects. The majority population is facing increased challenges in employment and job markets. Trump's response reflects that he has acted in favour of masses. He justified his point by following laws and regulations, the agent does not make wrong use of his power that allows him to act according to the ethical norms. The actions that the leaders take are according to law and order. Through the adoption of laws and acting according to the defined rules, the agent acts to promote equity and justice. The principle of legality in administrative performance eliminates the chances of injustice or unfair treatment. Avoidance of abuse of power remains another effective concept of the principle of legality.
Trump has followed the principles of the imperative of integrity. The leaders to act according to the principles of virtue involves imperative of integrity. The concept of integrity according to the utilitarian approach allows public agents to exhibit professional behavior. The principle allows public agents to take profession role that eliminates the issues of ineffective management. The option of integrity emphasizes on the recruitment of the performance. It emphasizes on the measures adopted by the public agents in the promotion of corporate spirit and self-governance CITATION Guy15 \l 1033 (Jim, Brian and Miguel).
The option of the imperative of integrity will give the greatest amount of public good. The option is vital for the public leaders to make appropriate use of power and perform duties fairly. The idea of special rights and obligations also promotes integrity. It prevents the agent from engaging in wrongful conduct due to the conduction of judgment by the standards and principles of virtue. The option is most effective in preventing the public agent from focusing on self-interest. It is also significant in promoting fairness and ethical judgments CITATION Ant02 \l 1033 (Makrydemetres). The imperative of legality involves the least cost as it allows public agents to act by laws and rules defined by the justice system. The agents must act according to the law and adopt values identified in the utilitarian system. The imperative for legality permits agents to articulate system of rules and laws. The option focuses on taking actions that are according to the rule of law.
Response to counter-argument
The counter-argument is weak and does not provide adequate justification. The claims are weak because they state that Trump has acted in favor of the majority population. However, in reality, the larger American population disapproved the act of Trump. He received a great deal of criticism from the citizens that makes his position least effective. According to the ethical theory of utilitarianism, the conduct of making derogatory comments is wrong because it caused negative impacts on the larger population. The people who were directly and indirectly affected by the comments comprise of blacks and whites. A larger population of whites criticized the response of president towards the minorities. This confirms that the conduct of Trump resulted in the loss of a larger number of people.
The act of president is unethical because he neglected the ethical principle of virtue. The ethical theory of virtues states that it is wrong to cause harm to others. The comments of Trump has necessarily hurt the feelings of the minority population including blacks and Latinos. The act of Trump is unethical because making hateful or derogatory comments harm the people. His comments caused moral destruction to the African-Americans. He made them realize that they are outsiders and don’t belong to America. The principle of virtue motivates agents to avoid indulging in wrongful acts. As the option relies on personal beliefs, it does not involve monetary cost. Trump fails to act by the laws and principles thus making his comments unethical (Graham et al., 2003). The counter-argument is also weak because the president failed to take into interest the parliament or the members of the Senate. His act of making derogatory comments can be seen as an individual act.
Work Cited
BIBLIOGRAPHY Jim, Guy Kahane, et al. "‘Utilitarian' judgments in sacrificial moral dilemmas do not reflect impartial concern for the greater good." Cognition 134 (2015).
Makrydemetres, Anthony. "Dealing with ethical dilemmas in public administration: the 'ALIR' imperatives of ethical reasoning." (2002).
More Subjects
Join our mailing list
© All Rights Reserved 2024