GMUL 5063 Ethics, Law and Cooperate Social Responsibility

Scenario Jake who owns a liquor shop has been robbed several times. One day he saw a teenager of 16/17 years of age entered his shop presumably to buy something. Jake thought he saw something hidden by the boy in his jacket. Jake assumed that it must have been something that is stolen from the shelf. He yelled at the boy to stop. The boy, who was obviously startled by this, ran outside the shop to escape. Without hesitation Jake took his gun from under the counter and aimed to shoot the boy. The boy died as a result of gunshot wounds. 1. Do you think Jakes actions are right? Based on Jake action by shooting the teenager is totally a wrong action. He was supposed to identify what are the things that are hidden inside the boys jacket. He should not assume that boy had stolen something. Therefore, he can avoid by shooting that boy till died. Jakes action is base on emotional and rational feeling. This is may be because his shop had been robbed several times. Another wrong action done by Jake was to shoot the boy who is still under 18 of age. He also allowed the boy to enter his shop in which the law prohibit teenager under 18 to enter liquor shop and buy liquor. It is his right to keep the gun in the shop for his own protection since his shop had been robbed several times. However, by law, it is still wrong for him to shoot the boy since the boy didnt attack him. 2. Based on a number of ethical theories that you know, assess Jakes actions with your own opinions and critics. Would your answer be different if Jake is an ardent philanthropist? In my opinions the action taken by Jake involved different views theory of ethical philosophies as consequentialist and Non- consequentialist. According to consequentialist theory maintain that whether an action is morally right or wrong depends on the action's consequences. In the Jake action towards on the consequences of result that he will gain

GMUL 5063 Ethics, Law and Cooperate Social Responsibility

either is right or wrong. Both utilitarianism and ethical egoism are theories within consequentialist that focus on the outcome of conduct as the primary motivation of that action and any critique of whether or not those conduct is ethical. a. Ethical egoism - holds that moral conduct ought to be judged through self-interest. Egoism states that the good consequences for the individual agent outweigh the consequences placed upon others. In egoism, actions could be considered ethical for the individual if the one taking the action is benefited, while any benefit or detriment to the welfare of others is a side effect and not as important as the consequences for the individual. In Jake situation it may considering as egoism when he shoot the boy without any further cause on the boy act. He only considers his behavior as self-interest without think that his actions have cause died to the boy. His action have been influenced by the experience that he facing when his shop been robbed several time and it consider he act for own benefit. b. Utilitarianism - focuses on the idea of the greater good. Essentially, this ethical theory intends to maximize good for the most people. The moral worth of any action is judged by how many good results for all sentient beings. While some individuals may suffer from these actions, utilitarianism holds that the conduct may still be ethical if it does more good for a greater number of people than it harms. In this case, Jake has made a decision to shoot the boy who was run outside the shop as he thought that the boy was stolen something from his shop. From the utilitarianism theory prospective, it seems like Jake killed that boy was the right decision because one live were lost than he will face robbed several time in future. Other stand point, by killing that boy will helped other shop owner around the area having the robbed cause he action was stop the crimes.

GMUL 5063 Ethics, Law and Cooperate Social Responsibility

A non-consequentialist theory of value judges the rightness or wrongness of an action based on properties intrinsic to the action, not on its consequences. Kohlbergs theory defined a subject's level of moral reasoning from the reasoning used to defend his position when faced with a moral dilemma. Under the Kohlbergs theory, has three distinct level of moral development evaluate on Jake action against the teenager. Level 1: Preconvention At this level judgment is based solely on a person's own needs and perceptions. Stage 1: Punishment-obedience Orientation Persons in this stage obey rules to avoid punishment. A good or bad action is determined by its physical consequences. Stage 2: Personal Reward Orientation In this stage, personal needs determine right or wrong. At level one, Jake will received his punishment by justice of law due him shooting that teenager that has cause a death. This reasoning is based on the consequences of his actions. Level 2: Conventional The expectations of society and society's laws are taken into account in a decision about a moral dilemma. Stage 3: Good boy-Nice girl Orientation To a person in this stage, good means "nice". One's behavior is determined by what pleases and is approved by others.

GMUL 5063 Ethics, Law and Cooperate Social Responsibility

Stage 4: Law and Order Orientation When deciding the punishment for a given wrongdoing, laws are absolute. At level two, one takes into account society's norms and laws, saying, "It's wrong for Jake to shoot that teenager because it's against the law. Jake wants society to approve of his actions, towards on his situation happen in his shop. In this case, the subject still respects the law. This shows a desire to be a good person but still conform to the law. Level 3: Post conventional Judgments are based on abstract, more personal principles that aren't necessarily defined by society's laws. Stage 5: Social Contract Orientation Good is determined by socially agreed upon standard of individual rights. Persons operating in this moral stage believe that different societies have different views of what is right and wrong. Stage 6: Universal Ethical Principle Orientation What is "good" and "right" are matters of individual conscience and involve abstract concepts of justice, human dignity, and equality. In this stage, persons believe there are universal points of view on which all societies should agree. At level three, Jake react by shooting the boy which it involve in principle morally of right or wrong laws are made and that laws can be changed for good reasons.

GMUL 5063 Ethics, Law and Cooperate Social Responsibility

Kants ethics believed that an immoral act was immoral under any and all circumstances. Based on Jake action on shooting the boy cause of his death on Kants ethics philosophy if it is wrong to kill an innocent in one circumstance, then it is always wrong. My opining on Jake is an ardent philanthropist, the action that he been taken against that teenager still considers as wrong action. Jake has no right to take human life and also on the law judgment will be considering not the right action because that teenager didnt show him using brute force on Jake.