Final Blog

(1) Question:

Are some acts morally obligatory regardless of the consequences for human benefit or harm?

In my own words:
Are certain actions mandatory given that the larger majority could either gain benefits or be harmed?


(2) Conceptual Clarifications:

Morally-With respect to moral principles
Obligaatory-Binding, mandatory
Consequences-The outcome following an action
Benefit-Enhance to well being
Harm-Damage to well being


(3) Answer:


Within todays society, it is certain that almost every action that one commits, will somehow either directly or indirectly affect someone else. The question is whether some acts are morally obligatory regardless of this phenomena. I strongly believe that many acts are mandatory, despite yeilding good or bad consequences. "Everybody acts in accordance with inner necessity". Looking back at history, some of the greatest achievements were conquered by people who were morally obligated to attain unimaginable goals, at the cost of human harm. After all, progression within the human race is only possible if we accept the harmful consequences that may be delievered as well.
I believe that if one is forced into a situation that conflicts with their beliefs, then he would almost always choose to obey the morally correct choice. However, choosing to act in a manner that is morally obligatory within ones own values is not always going to bring about benefit. Thus, although there is a chance that one's actions could bring about harm, if the act is for the greater benefit of society, i believe that it is still defined as morally obligatory.
I also believe that many acts are morally obligatory and bring about nothing more than benefit, leaving the word regardless out of the argument entirely. Almost all of our actions are bound up and coincide with the actions of other human beings. When a farmer is obligated to grow food in order to earn a profit and provide for his family, he is in turn benefiting the community by providing numerous other families with food. Such a connected society enforces the idea that some acts are morally obligatory (farmer providing) regardless of the consequences for human benefit or harm.

(4) Example:

For the past two years i have worked at Tire Kingdom as a technician performing oil changes and other basic maintenance operations on cars. Every day I help atleast 8 customers, and am required to give an honest estimate of what the work will cost, given the time it takes and the materials used. Seeing as there are never any managers around, and many customers pay in cash, i find it would be quite easy to make a few extra dollars a day by inflating the estimates I give on cars. Although tempting, I am morally obligated to be honest, and give the customer a fair, true price. By the end of the day, there has been no harm done and i can sleep with an easy head.
My final example involves going to school everyday. I am morally obligated to attend class seeing as my parents pay so much. Since i am stuck with this obligation, I find the most efficient way of getting to and from school is by car. Cars in turn emit carbon dioxide, which depletes Earths ozone layer. The depleting ozone layer directly harms many people all over the world. Although my act of attending class is morally obligatory, i must do it with disregard for human harm.

(5) Word Count:

499



(7) References:


Ruggiero. (2008). Thinking Critically About Ethical Issues. McGraw Hill.


Einstein. (2006). The World As I See It. Filiquarian Publishing, LLC.