SW 435 Midterm Exam Study Guide ALL SOLUTION 2023 EDITION GUARANTEED GRADE A+

Understand Terms Teleological (consequential) philosophies view that morality is about producing the right kinds of overall consequences Dermatological Philosophies actions are good or bad, according to a clear set of rules Moral Philosophies is the rational study of the meaning and justification moral claims Major Ethical Frameworks/Philosophies Deontology / Kantian-ism Deontology starts with a D Duty starts with a D Deontology=Duty Freedom is Autonomy One must do the right thing for the right reason. Not about outcomes like Utilitarianism (Bentham) It is about intention It is about doing one's duty What gives an action moral worth Not Utility Not Outcomes or Consequence -What makes an action morally worthy has to do with motive and intention -The motive must be a certain kind-the right thing for the right reason. -Even if the action fails, it is still right. The moral motive is DUTY; not inclinations or feelings Hypothetical Imperatives If, then If you want money, then you should get a job About prudence not morality Kant's Categorical Imperative Kant states that we ought to do the right thing for the right reason regardless of what we may WANT to do (aka: regardless of our desires). What is the Categorical Imperative Commands you must follow regardless of your desires. Moral obligations are derived from pure reason It doesn't matter whether you want to be moral or not, the moral law is binding on all of us Don't need religion, what is right and wrong is totally knowable just by using your intellect Categorical Imperative Tells us what we ought to do regardless of our desires; is good in and of itself -Don't cheat. -Get a job. -Don't steal cars. i.e., We ought not steal cars regardless of whether or not we want to stay out of prison. Doing the right thing for the right reason is GOOD in and of itself. Thus, the Categorical Imperative Categorical Imperative is the guiding idea by which Kant tells us we must all live our lives. Formulation 1 The Universalizability Principle Act only according to that maxim which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law without contradiction Maxim: a rule or principle of action Universal law: something that must always be done in similar situations The formula of Universal Law A Universal Law refers to a law that everyone must follow A maxim is a rule that explains what you are doing; the moral principle upon which you decide to act It is not okay to make exceptions for yourself Formation 2 The Formula of Humanity Act so that you tread humanity, whether in your own person or in that of another, always as an end, and never as a mere means Mere Means: to use it for your own benefit, with no thought to the interest or benefit of the thing you are using The Formula of Humanity as an end This formula refers to means and ends Human beings should only be treated as ends, not as the means to an end End-in-Ourselves Humans exist for themselves Lying and deception are never okay A misleading truth is always a lie and lying is always wrong Dignity and Worth Kant thinks that every rational human being has dignity, and that everyone's worth is infinite. Is that true? Do murderers have dignity? Kant says: They do, because they have the capacity to choose to do the right thing. Utilitarianism Utilitarianism Definition Moral theory that focuses on the results, or consequences of our actions and treats intentions as irrelevant Good Consequences= Good Action Actions should be measured in terms of the happiness or pleasure that they produce Other-Regarding pursue pleasure and happiness, not just for ourselves, but for as many beings as possible Principle of Utility the greatest good for the greatest number actions that will produce the most happiness Act Utilitarianism in any given situation, you should choose the action that produces the greatest good for the greatest number Rule Utilitarianism Version of the theory that sates that we ought to live by rules that, in general, are likely to lead to the greatest good for the greatest number Allows us to refrain from acts that might maximize utility in the short run, and instead follow rules that will maximize utility for the majority of the time. Jeremy Bentham () A Utilitarian, Jeremy Bentham argues that the principle of utility should be the basis of morality and law Utility is that which promotes pleasure and prevents pain. Self-Deception Self-Deception definition being unaware of the process that leads us to form our opinions and judgements is the underlying factor in ethical fading helps us justify our lies Self-Deception Involves Avoidance of the truth lies one tells oneself secrets we keep from ourselves 4 Enables of Self-Deception 1.) Language euphemism the process of sanitizing language in order to detach from the emotional intensity of reality 2.) Slippery Slope of Decision Making 2 Components: Psychic Numbing and Induction Mechanism When one lie perpetuates many more Psychic Numbing is a tendency for individuals or societies to withdraw attention from past experiences that were traumatic, or from future threats that are perceived to have massive consequences but low probability. 3.) Errors in Perceptual Causation A focus on individuals instead of systems self-interested motives in assigning blame acts of omission 4.) Constrained Representation of Our Self What we experience is always different from what others experience Our views are constrained by who we are, our biases, our experiences We can never have a truly objective view of the world Rawls Rawls Theory of Justice Rawls attempts to develop a theory that combines the strengths of utilitarianism with those of the deontological position of Kant and Ross, while avoiding the weakness of each view Principle of justice are needed to serve as standards for designing and evaluating social institutions and practices constitutes a blueprint for the development of a just society 2 Principles of Justice 1st Principle of Justice Each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive total system of equal basic liberties compatible with a similar systems of liberty for all 2nd Principle of Justice Social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are both a.) to the greatest benefit of the least advantage b.) attached to offices and positions open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity Social goods Liberty Property Wealth Social Privilege A just society is not one in which everyone is equal, but one in which inequalities must be demonstrated to be legitimate Others should act for us when we are unable to act for ourselves follow others wishes Natural Duties 1.) The duty of justice 2.) The duty of helping others in need or jeopardy 3.) The duty not to harm or injure another 4.) The duty to keep our promises Info about Rawls Theory of Justice Rawls's natural duties are virtually the same as Ross's prima facie duties Endorses the legitimacy of paternalism Paternalism consider the preferences of others when they are known to us and act for them when they are unable to act for themselves More info on Rawls Provides a way of resolving conflicts among the competing claims that individuals make and a means of protecting the legitimate interests of individuals Virtue Ethics Virtue Ethics Definition Ethical theory that emphasizes an individual's character rather than following a set of rules If you become a good person you will do good things Proper functioning everything has a function and its as good as it fulfills that function and bad to the extent that it does not Having virtue means doing the right thing, at the right time, in the right way, in the right amount, towards the right people Vice (Deficiency) Cowardice Failing to say things that need to be said Stinginess Virtue (Golden Mean) Courage Honesty Generosity Vice (Excess) Recklessness Brutal Honesty Prodigality Moral Exemplars Those who are moral and we should look to, to learn virtue Eudaimonia a life well lives a life full of striving a life full of happiness that comes from achieving something really difficult rather than just having it handed to you John Rawls: Political Theory Political theory 1.)things as they are now are potentially unfair 2.) imagine if you have not you 3.) You know what needs to be fixed 4.) What to do next The veil of ignorance If we knew nothing about where we would end up, what type of society would you want to be born into We will know we have fixed our communities when we can say we would not care what we were born into Prima facie ethics/duties (Ross) Prima facie ethics/duties (Ross) Definition Ross rejected the utilitarianism notion that an action is made right by its consequences alone He thought such rules failed to show sensitivity and complexities of actual situations Ross believed that you must consider consequences when making a moral choice 2 Moral Properties of Prima facie ethics/duties (Ross) Rightness and goodness These cannot be replaced by, or explained in terms of other properties Prima facie ethics/duties (Ross) Info Must know nonmoral facts before making a moral judgement There is always something right to do, but what it is may not be obvious We have to recognize that every rule has exceptions and must be over ridden in some situations Prima facie definition prima facie literally means "at first sight" but Ross uses the phrase to mean something like: Other things being equal Duties of Fidelity Telling the truth, keeping actual and implicit promises, and not representing fiction as history Duties of reparation righting the wrongs we have done to others Duties of gratitude recognizing the services others have done for us Duties of justice preventing a distribution of pleasure or happiness that is not in keeping with the merit of the people involved Duties of beneficence helping to better the condition of other beings with respect to virtue, intelligence, or pleasure Duties of Self-Importance bettering ourselves with respect to virtue or intelligence Duties of nonmaleficence avoiding or preventing an injury to others Principles to deal with cases of conflicting duty 1st principle is designed t handle to handle situations in which just 2 prima facie duties are in conflict the act is one's duty which is in accord with the more stringent prima facie obligation 2nd principle is intended to deal with cases in which several prima-facie duties are in conflict The act is one's duty which has the greatest balance of prima facie rightness over prima facie wrongness Prima facie ethics/duties (Ross) info rely on perceptions of the situation only set aside one obligation when morally certain that another obligation take precedence guide actions by what is right, rather than what is useful NASW Code of Ethics Understand how it is constructed The code of ethics was first approved in Oct 13, 1960 Since then the code has emerged as the standard bearer of defining the values and principles that guide social workers' conduct in all practice areas What parts does it include and how is it intended to be used? The first Section, "Preamble," summarizes the social work profession's mission and core values. The second section, "Purpose of the NASW Code of Ethics," provides an overview of the Code's main functions and a brief guide for dealing with ethical issues or dilemmas in social work practice. The third section, "Ethical Principles," presents broad ethical principles, based on social work's core values, that inform social work practice. The final section, "Ethical Standards," includes specific ethical standards to guide social workers' conduct and to provide a basis for adjudication. What is its purpose? Guide Social Work Practice Intended to serve as a guide to the everyday professional conduct of social workers What can it not do?(How it is limited?) It can not include references to every situation so some interpretation has to be done in situations Does the Code of Ethics present any conflict(s) for the social worker regarding how it is constructed(values/principles/standards)? Conflicts between personal standards and professional ones How are the core values and principles essential to social work? It is the guiding documentation in practice How does the Code of Ethics connect to the common morality's moral rules and moral ideals? Yes, strong connection Strong believers in the Code of Ethics See it as central to professional Social work practice Skeptics of the code of ethics Reflects cultural norms of majority at the expense of minority norms Important to note that not all social workers are comfortable conforming to the code of ethics Believers-Impartial Follow the letter of the law duty, impartiality, universality Skeptics-Partial May breach the code of ethics for the good of the client particular, contextual, relationship-focused Discussion about the code of ethics can allow for growth Needed are more safe environments for social workers to ask questions about ethics A lack of ethical discussions shuts Social Workers down and effect social workers ability to practice effectively Ethics ought to guide our professional conduct Including: - Values - Duties - Responsibilities - Obligations Social Work Values are Extremely Idealistic -Service -Social Justice -Dignity and Worth of a Person - Importance of human relationships -Integrity - Competence Is the Code of Ethics an Effective Tool for Solving Moral Dilemmas To be used regardless of setting in some cases Evidence exists that the Code of Ethics is not generally utilized in day-to-day social work Issues with the Code of Ethics Counterintuitive organization Why is it not organized according to -boundary problems -clashes between 2 important value issues Has contradictions and is open to interpretation CONTINUED..