Betrayal hypothetical
According to the teology concept, some of the actions that we undertake, we do them with a predetermined purpose in our minds. Hence people end up doing things knowing the result that they expect to get. The concept asserts that the moral worth of an action is established by the consequences of these actions. Correct consequences are those that are for the well being of a person and despite the type of consequence, it is regarded as intrinsically beneficial and valuable and this is the reason as to why actions that lead to these consequences are regarded as moral (McQueen & McQueen, 2010). In this case, the action of signing the signature on the register is regarded as moral since the consequence of this action will result in the well being of Jane and ultimately bringing her happiness. The choice to sign for Jane will result in a good outcome as she will be set free from the murder charges, hence the action is that of moral worth. Basing on this concept, I would do this over and over again even if Jane was my child.
Deontology concept, on the other hand, focuses more on the rightfulness or wrongness of the action rather than the consequences of these actions. What makes a choice of action right is whether it has confirmed to the moral rules. The world is full of rules and it is these rules that delineate right from wrong. The core goal of this argument is that people should be able to realize the rules for living and leading moral lives and once they are aware of these rules, they ought to follow them (McQueen & McQueen, 2010). In Jane's case, therefore, it will not be right to forge a signature in the register as this is not in accordance with the law. Failing to sign the register on behalf of Jane, is an act that is morally obligatory in spite of its consequence on Jane’s well being. Though the concept is the outcome that I want, I would just follow the rules and allow the law to take its course even if Jane was my child.
According to relativism concept, it asserts that there is no absolute truth and the truth that exists is only held by individuals. This means that the moral position is relative to the individual. For instance, different people have different stands on morality and what is right or wrong to someone, may not be for the other person (McQueen & McQueen, 2010). In this case, forging the signature to free Jane from her charges of murder would be morally right as it is evident that she did not commit the crime. If Jane was my child, I would do the same for her to see that she is at liberty.
According to virtue concept, it asserts that morality does not limit a person’s action. Virtue, therefore, determines a person’s values that are based on moral standards. Virtue is acquired through practice and by a principle of virtuous conduct; people are likely to make right choices of decisions whenever they are faced with ethical problems (McQueen & McQueen, 2010). In this case, forging a signature in the register would not be good as it is not virtuous. Honesty is a rational virtue and thus being honest about the entire case will lead to a virtuous living and a successful life if Jane is freed on the basis of honesty rather than a dishonesty action of forgery.
Justice concept is the core element of ethics and also in the legal system. This is applied to a person’s actions, to laws and if they are unjust, it forms a basis for people to reject them. Justice is also a rational virtue that involves the treatment of people in accordance with their conduct. Acting in a just way calls for one to be willing to judge. In this case, therefore, it is important to judge one’s actions so as to determine whether they are good or wrong. However, all forms of justice are based o the moral assumption that involves consideration of ethics, fairness and the law (McQueen & McQueen, 2010). Though it is not fair for Jane to be convicted of a murder that she never committed it is only fair to let law and criminal justice to take place.
According to the video on to defend a killer, one thing is quite evident, ethics is quite harder especially when one is on the inside and not on the outside watching. There is a high level of responsibility that is vested in doing the right thing and hence one ought to make careful considerations on the decision to kill. It is true that we all want to be happy and thus our actions may thus be driven by the end result of this action. However, this is not right and that is the reason as to why we have rules and laws put in place so as to govern our action. In this case, the deontology and justice concept ought to be applied in Jane’s case as this is the right thing to do.
References
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McQueen, P., & McQueen, H. (2010). Key concepts in philosophy. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.
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