Reflection on D7 – Ethical Dilemmas

Today’s life class was an insightful exploration of ethical dilemmas and moral decision-making. We began by analyzing different scenarios and ranking them based on our personal morals and ethics. This activity helped us understand how individual values shape our decisions and how they can sometimes differ from others’ perspectives.

Following this, we discussed the idea that moral values are not equal to universal ethics. This discussion made me reflect on whether there are absolute right and wrong actions or if ethics depend on cultural and personal beliefs.

The article we read about a ritual practiced in another country deepened this discussion. It challenged us to think critically about how cultural practices can be viewed differently depending on one’s background, and whether something that seems right to one group might be wrong to another.

Next, we researched various ethical theories such as moral realism, moral relativism, self-esteem, deontology, and others. Each theory provided a different perspective on how ethics, duties, and self-interest influence decision-making. I found deontology particularly interesting as it focuses on following rules and duties rather than just considering the outcomes of actions.

Finally, we applied these theories to new ethical dilemmas, making decisions based on our understanding of morality. This activity reinforced the idea that ethical decision-making is complex and often requires balancing multiple perspectives. Overall, today’s class helped me gain a deeper understanding of ethics and how they shape our everyday choices.