Ethics Risk Taking Essay, Research Paper
The paper is about risk taking and self-command. It was written for a
philosophy class in ethics.
The title of the paper is “Risk Taking”. It recieved 95 points out of a
possible 100.
Risk Taking
In our lives, it is important to exercise self-command. However,
we should not be so concerned with the future that we stifle the present.
The question becomes what balance should we strike between self-command
and risks? What kinds of risks are acceptable or unacceptable? In this
essay, we will use two examples of risks to show the distinction between
the two and arrive at a conclusion as to the balance one should have
between risk and self command. The first example we will use is of a
person who spends his life savings on a lottery ticket and does not win
the lottery. The second is of a person who spends his life savings on a
hunch regarding a cure for AIDS, a hunch that is false. Before we make
this distinction, however, it is necessary to define the terms acceptable
and unacceptable risks.
Acceptable and Unacceptable Risks
There are several ways in which one could define which risks are
acceptable. One could say, for example, that the only acceptable risk is
one for which the odds of success are greater than the odds of failure.
Another definition of acceptable risk might be a risk that does not harm
one’s future. We might also say that the only acceptable risk is one
where the aggregate happiness is increased, thus increasing the moral good
of the risk, an idea which is based on John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism.
Finally, we might define a morally good risk in a Kantian way by saying
that the only acceptable risk is one which is rationally thought out
(Thomas, lecture).
Now that we have several definitions of acceptable risks, we may
ask how these definitions, which seem piecemeal and unrelated, can all
combine to form one definition of acceptable risk. The best way to do
this is to examine the two cases that lie before us and relate the
definitions to them. In the process of doing so, we will determine which
risk is acceptable and which is not.
Risks in the example: the lottery and the AIDS cure
If the average person on the street were presented with the case
of spending one’s life savings on a lottery ticket and losing or spending
the same sum on a false hunch regarding an AIDS cure, he or she would
probably come up with several answers. For the most part though, all the
answers would be consistent with one idea: the AIDS cure is simply
“worth” more and thus is a more acceptable risk. There might be several
reasons for this. One could assume, for example, that the only person who
would attempt to cure AIDS would be a doctor with sufficient experience in
the field. It would follow, then, that the odds of finding a cure for
AIDS would be much greater than the odds of winning the lottery. To win
the lottery, one has to draw 6 numbers out of 46 (a probability that is
very low). However, curing AIDS with medical experience is a less risky
endeavor. In this instance, trying to cure AIDS would be a greater moral
good because it is less risk involved in it than in trying to win the
lottery. This case, although quite valid, is not very interesting. In
fact, we have solved it rather rapidly. The more interesting case, and
the one we will consider in depth here, is the case in which one has no
medical experience whatsoever, but still attempts to find a cure.
Furthermore, we will set the odds such that one has a better chance of
winning the lottery than finding a cure for AIDS. Yet, I will still
show that, regardless of the greater chance of failure, the attempt at an
AIDS cure is still has more moral worth than the purchase of the lottery
ticket, even though both result in failure.
Why does the spending one’s life savings on an AIDS cure have more
moral worth (which makes it a more acceptable risk) than spending the same
sum on a lottery ticket, when the numerical odds of being successful are
the same? Why bother, since in the end, the result is the same? The
answer lies in Mill’s definition of a moral good, that which is done to
increase the common happiness (Mill, Utilitarianism).
The AIDS cure is something that will increase the common happiness, while
a person winning the lottery generally will only increase his or her
happiness. This is almost obvious. Certainly, if I was to win the
lottery, I would increase my happiness greatly, but the increase in the
general happiness would be negligible. However, if I were to find a cure
for AIDS, it would greatly increase the general happiness. Masses of
suffering people and their loved ones would be much happier. Even though
my attempt was unsuccessful, it would still be greatly appreciated. Just
the thought of a cure would have given hope to what could otherwise be a
bleak existence. The mere possibility of being saved from an almost
certain death would increase several victims’ happiness. We see this
today, when, each time a new drug that delays the progression of AIDS is
approved, people flock to it. That such things are not cures and that
some of them do not offer guarantees (indeed, many are experimental) is
almost insignificant. People still try them. Why? Because they offer a
hope of continuing what humans treasure most: life. Similarly, my AIDS
cure would offer some hope to patients who are assured an eventual long,
painful death. Maybe the cure might work for them. If not, that it did
not would be almost insignificant. Spending my life’s savings on an AIDS
cure would almost certainly increase the general happiness, as it would
provide hope. That, in the end, it is a failure is of little, if any,
significance.
Другие работы по теме:
Ethics 3 Essay Research Paper EthicsThere are
Ethics 3 Essay, Research Paper Ethics There are many people in the world today that want their lives to end in a certain way. Some want to fulfill a dream or do something they weren t able to do before; yet there are some people who want to feel like they have done something for others which have helped another person in there live today.
Ethics In America Essay Research Paper New
Ethics In America Essay, Research Paper New York ?Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least of my brothers, you did for me.? Matthew 25:40 The poor, the sick, and the children. These are the three most vulnerable groups in our society and in upper Manhattan?s Washington Heights neighborhood there are plenty of them.
English Class 009 Essay Research Paper I
English Class 009 Essay, Research Paper I am taking English 009 to benefit me in the future. It gives me the skills I need to succeed. I would be able to write a paper; because of the writing skills I have learned in English 009. From studying hard, my grammar could be improved. I would be offered a teaching position as a substitute teacher for English because of my experience in English 009.
Taking On Responsibility Essay Research Paper Taking
Taking On Responsibility Essay, Research Paper Taking on Responsibility When I was diagnosed with diabetes I had to take on some responsibilities. Lately I had been feeling sick, drinking a lot, and going to the bathroom a lot. So my mom took me to the doctor to see what was wrong. I don?t remember much of it because I was only three years old.
Risk In ECommerce Essay Research Paper BusinessWeek
Risk In E-Commerce Essay, Research Paper BusinessWeek Online June 2001 cover the problem with most dot-com is that they play it way too safe. Dose Everyone really knows why all those dot-com crashed and burned? The real truth is, they weren’t taking risk enough. Now that the downturn has scraped the veneer of cool off every e-business form Yahoo! To Amazon, they are borrowing old business models that worked on television and in the mall.
Aristotle On Ethics Essay Research Paper 1
Aristotle On Ethics Essay, Research Paper 1) Explain fully Aristotle?s approach to Ethics. What is the goal of the ethical life? What type of soul is capable of realizing the good life? How do we
Teen Smoking Essay Research Paper Negative effects
Teen Smoking Essay, Research Paper Negative effects of Marijuana Marijuana is the least harmful drug, but it does have negative health effects. Though moderate users of marijuana are taking less risks than a moderate
Wellness Inventory Essay Research Paper After taking
Wellness Inventory Essay, Research Paper After taking the wellness inventory I have found that I am possibly the most unhealthy person you could find. I am so tough mentally, meaning I am very mentally prepared for what the world will throw at me. When the physical factor comes in that?s where I find myself lacking.
No You Cannot Come In Essay Research
Paper No! You Cannot Come in Garrett Hardin writes about saving the poor in his essay”Lifeboat Ethics: The Case Against the Poor” found in The Blair Reader. Hardin writes about
Euthanasia Essay Research Paper In today
Euthanasia Essay, Research Paper In today’s society, if you ask five people who Jack Kevorkian is then three or more would know who he is. The issue of euthanasia has been on the media’s forefront for several years. There are several pros and cons to this issue. Some of these pros are as follows: it would help to end pain and suffering, it allows a person to die with dignity, and it also helps the grieving process because the person knows when they are gonna die.
Ethics Essay Research Paper Ethics 1 are
Ethics Essay, Research Paper Ethics (1) are an individual?s personal beliefs about what constitutes right and wrong behavior. Important areas of ethical concern for managers are how the organization treats its employees, how the employees treat the organization, and how the organization and its employees treat other economic agents.
Spinoza
’s Ethics, Part I Proposition 33 Essay, Research Paper Baruch Spinoza believes the essence of God includes God’s existence and discusses the causality of God through his ontological work, Ethics. In Ethics, Spinoza is seeking a method of truth through the perfect being. The essence of what that perfect being expresses, using this method of truth, is God (i.e. the perfect being).
Life Goes On Essay Research Paper Steel
Life Goes On Essay, Research Paper ?Steel Magnolias? We all have problems in our life, but some how life goes on. If you were to lose your closest friend, family member, or a loved one would
A Soldiers Home Essay Research Paper The
A Soldiers Home Essay, Research Paper The willingness to risk failure-as difficult as that can be-often leads us to remarkable discoveries about ourselves and our world. But on the other hand, not taking risks can save us from amounts of devastation and heartache. I think that was a major principle for Krebs in the short story, “Soldiers Home.” After going to hell and back, it’s almost inevitable that anyone under the circumstances would be completely overwhelmed by all that Krebs had experienced and risked.
Ethics In Research Essay Research Paper The
Ethics In Research Essay, Research Paper The study of psychology often requires the use of experimental methods to gather important information for the betterment of the human race. Experiments often involve the use of humans and animals. What can be done to a human or animal in the name of science and research is a question of ethics.
Drugs And AIDS Essay Research Paper Hopkins
Drugs And AIDS Essay, Research Paper Hopkins University. In the U.S gay men still make up the primary risk group,although 750,000 to 1 milliondrug addicts are believed to be at risk to AIDS nationally. The problem here is thesharing of needles, which is causing the spread of AIDS. IV drug abusers arekilling our nation at an amazingly fast speed.
Heat Attacks Essay Research Paper Too Few
Heat Attacks Essay, Research Paper Too Few Americans Take Aspirin to Prevent Second Heart Attack In an article from Doctor Gilbert Ross of the American Council on Science and Health it was revealed that only 26% of former heart attack patients take aspirin on a regular basis to prevent a reoccurrence of heart disease.
American Ethics Essay Research Paper American Beauty
American Ethics Essay, Research Paper American Beauty is a very intricate film portraying the sarcasm intertwined within American values, or beauties. Every scene within American Beauty influences each character in the movie as well as other scenes. The structure of this flick is as if it were not possible to remove one scene from the work, otherwise the entire movie would collapse like a domino effect.
Ethics Of Duty And Virtue Essay Research
Paper The most basic question in ethics of duty and ethics of virtue is what is human excellence, and how is it achieved?. However, the two fundamental approaches to answering this are significantly different. Ethics of duty focuses more on differentiating between what is morally right or wrong and on what our moral obligations are to ourselves and to our society.
Business Ethics Essay Research Paper As an
Business Ethics Essay, Research Paper As an editor of a weekly magazine, there are many responsibilities. Upper management recently came to the editor and told him that sales have dipped dramatically. He was also told, that if things do not turnaround soon, heads will roll. Along comes a story that he knows is ethically wrong, but will sell many magazines.
Geographical Information System Essay Research Paper GIS
Geographical Information System Essay, Research Paper GIS Geographical Information System originated in the 1960s. During the early days of the technology the use was limited to a small group of practicioners. It is a information technology which analizes, stores, and displays both spatial and non-spatial data.
Aristotle Essay Research Paper Aristotle analyzes the
Aristotle Essay, Research Paper Aristotle analyzes the goods and the virtues that lead to human beings toward happiness in book one of Nicomachean Ethics. According to Aristotle, every activity has an end (or goal); another way of saying this is that the aim of every activity is some kind of good. Concerning this, human existence itself must have some ultimate good.
Essay Essay Research Paper When choosing a
Essay Essay, Research Paper When choosing a supplement, it is important to consider your age, individual lifestyle and dietary habits. With some basic knowledge about vitamins and minerals, you can develop your own nutritional profile which will help you assess your needs. In developing your profile, ask yourself these questions: How well do I eat? Do l select foods high in vitamins and minerals? Do I eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day? Am I dieting or watching my calorie and fat intake? Do I smoke? Am I over 50 years old? Am I taking medication(s) on a regular basis? Am I pregnant or trying to become pregnant? Are there other health circumstances that may affect my nutrient needs?
Diction And Imagery In The Poem Swimming
Alone Essay, Research Paper The Challangers Quest The world today can be a dangerous place, causing people to be precautions. To be a risk taker in today s society involves courage and a willingness to be vulnerable. In the poem Swimming alone, author Patricia Keeney uses diction and imagery to convey that venturing into risky situations requires one to be brave and yet desperate.
Drugs In Sport Essay Research Paper The
Drugs In Sport Essay, Research Paper The topic I am going to discuss today is Drugs in Sport. My contention is that drugs should not be made legal in sports.
Business Ethics Essay Research Paper Rewards for
Business Ethics Essay, Research Paper Rewards for “Good” Business Ethics Business ethics can be viewed as the principles and standards that guide behavior in the world of business. Especially in today’s society, understanding and practicing the concepts of ethics is a key factor that many organizations stress among employees.
Business Ethics Essay Research Paper Business EthicsWhat
Business Ethics Essay, Research Paper Business Ethics What is business ethics? The answer to this question may be as simple as a company that complies with all the relevant rules and regulations. Or it may be more complex detailing the ways in which the corporation interacts with the world at large. The answer may also depend on who is asked the question.
Ethics Essay Research Paper Ethics have a
Ethics Essay, Research Paper Ethics have a fluid existence therefore making them extremely difficult to define. They are in a constant state of change. They change with the times within the individual. People change their ethics though the course of their lives due to things they’ve experienced and lessons they’ve learned.