Question

Find a controversial COVID-19 topic in the news. Can you identify different ethical principles underlying the opposing sides?

Answer 1

One of the most important news that goes on in the news amidst the COVID – 19 pandemic, is the unlocking process although there is no cure at sight. Most of the businesses and even the president is in a hurry to open up the country without a visible sight of a cure for the virus which would put many people at the risk of losing their lives and spread the virus. Utilitarian ethics suggests that an act would be considered ethical if it maximizes benefit to maximum number of people and reduce any harm. This would mean that the opening up of the businesses would only cause more spread of the virus thus would cause more harm and less benefit. The deontological ethics or duty ethics suggests that an act would be considered ethical if it fulfils duty without worrying about the consequences. This would mean that it’s the duty of the president to protect the business and the economy thus, he has an obligation to open the businesses because if an economic meltdown starts it would cause more damage than the virus.

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