A Personal Code of Ethics - Assignment Example

It is wrong to hoard food while others are starving. And for the benefit of the whole society, the person should release the food. Utilitarianism shows that society should pursue maximum happiness.

            A journalist should aim to minimize the harm caused to the people. The case of Thompson should not be reported since apart from ruining the chances of him winning, there is no other good that will accrue to society. The SPJ principle of minimizing harm should be applied (“SPJ Code of Ethics | Society of Professional Journalists | Improving and Protecting Journalism since 1909” 1). Some decisions depend on whether we can apply the choice made universally. If a cancer patient is allowed to take away her life due to pain, what will happen if we apply this principle to all such cases? The Kant, categorical imperative principle shows that the decision will not be desirable. It will be vital for the doctor to reduce the pain but not necessarily help the patient to hasten death.

            In Kohlberg’s model of moral development, I am on stage four. I view the law as an important invention and will in most cases abide by the rules and regulations. I will not be comfortable breaking the accepted social order or going against the established legitimate authority. I believe this is right since any time, I break-a rule it disrupts the balance in the society, and there is a high likelihood someone else will suffer because of my actions. Thus maintaining law and order helps the society that I live in to have harmony and cohesiveness