Promises and Lies: Ethical Dilemmas and Moral Obligations

ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS:

Identify and explain in detail two scenarios from your life in which you had to break a promise and tell a lie, respectively.
Apply each ethical theory to your two examples.
Explain what each ethical theory will say is the morally right thing you are obligated to do (i.e., keep a promise or break a promise, lie, or tell the truth).
Explain what reasoning a follower of each ethical system would use to determine the right thing to do.
Lastly, answer the three short answer questions at the bottom of this template. Be sure to cite pertinent course materials in APA format to support your knowledge of these theories.
Short Answer Questions
Which theory or theories (out of those listed above) could you use to justify breaking a promise and telling a lie?
How might you respond if someone broke a promise to you or told a lie?
How might you respond in a supportive manner that recognizes the feelings of others yet still holds them accountable for their moral decisions?

HOW TO WORK ON THIS ASSIGNMENT (EXAMPLE ESSAY / DRAFT)

In various circumstances throughout our life, we must decide whether to honor a pledge and speak the truth, or break a vow and lie. These moral conundrums prompt consideration of moral obligations and the proper course of action. I’ll discuss two instances in my life in this essay where I had to violate a commitment and tell a lie, respectively. The morality of my conduct will then be examined using two well-known ethical theories, utilitarianism, and Kantian ethics. Finally, after the article, I will provide three quick responses.

Breaking a Promise in Scenario One

I had vowed to keep my friend’s previous relationship with a friend of ours a secret. The acquaintance immediately inquired about my friend’s past, though, and I felt forced to answer. I had to decide whether to maintain my word to my friend or to be honest with the acquaintance.

An ethical philosophy called utilitarianism places a strong emphasis on doing the best for the most people. The ethically just course of conduct, according to utilitarianism, is the one that results in the greatest amount of happiness and the least amount of suffering for the greatest number of people. In this case, if I had told the acquaintance about my buddy’s previous relationship, it might have saved the acquaintance from making a potentially damaging choice, but it would have upset and hurt my friend. In this situation, utilitarianism would favor maintaining my word to my buddy since doing so would result in the fewest number of people—my friend, me, and the acquaintance—suffering.

Kantian ethics, on the other hand, is an ethical philosophy that emphasizes universal values and obligations. The morally correct course of conduct, according to Kantian ethics, is the one that upholds morality as a universal rule and human dignity. In this case, if I had revealed the details of my friend’s previous relationship, I would have broken my word and jeopardized our mutual respect and trust. Breaking a promise violates the universal rule of treating people as you would like to be treated, hence in Kantian ethics, it is always bad. Kantian ethics would so advocate fulfilling my word to my friend, notwithstanding the repercussions.

Scenario 2: Lying to Someone

When I was in high school, I was late for my math class and neglected to finish my assignment. I lied and said I had left my homework at home when my teacher asked for it. I had to decide whether, to be honest, and suffer the penalties or to be dishonest and escape punishment.

According to utilitarianism, lying is acceptable if it results in the greatest amount of happiness and the least amount of suffering for the greatest number of people. In this case, if I had been honest and said that I hadn’t finished my schoolwork, I would have been punished, which would have upset and hurt me. But I would have been happier and would have endured less pain if I had lied and escaped punishment. Utilitarianism would therefore be in favor of lying in this situation.

However, Kantian ethics would contend that lying is intrinsically bad because it contravenes the universal moral standard of honoring the truth and human dignity. According to Kantian ethics, lying considers other people as nothing more than tools to achieve one’s goals rather than as unique beings with intrinsic value and dignity. Therefore, stating the truth would be encouraged by Kantian ethics, regardless of the repercussions.

Brief Answers to Questions

Out of the theories mentioned above, which one or one could you use to defend breaking a commitment and telling the truth?
Given that it places the greatest good for the largest number of people as its top priority, utilitarianism can be used to excuse violating promises and lies. Kantian ethics, however, would not sanction violating a commitment or lying.

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