Reference no: EM132499022

Applying Utilitarianism and Social Contract Theory

Point 1: For this assignment, you will take an example from a current news-article online or in print, or from a political, legal or educational institution, business you work for, neighborhood or civic association, club, etc., of 1) utilitarian ethics and 2) social contract ethics in action (one example of each).

Point 2: This could be a policy, a constitutional law, a mission statement, or an action taken by an institution or people within an institution that exemplifies these theories operating in public life. (You might, for instance, describe how a club you are a member of came to a decision about some activity that it was considering-did they put this to a vote? Was it a matter of relying on the club's rules or charter? Etc.? Or you might consider how a dispute between employees was resolved where you work-Did they hold a meeting to see what everyone thought? Did a supervisor render a decision that was binding on everyone? Etc.? Or you might note how your national or local government is deciding what to do about a current problem -are they holding public meetings and then voting? Is the court-system deciding? The legislature? Etc.?) Describe these and consider how they are, and perhaps are not, examples of social contract theory and utilitarianism in practice.

You will give two examples-one for each theory. Write about a page for each theory/example. In your reflection paper entry, write about each example:

Question 1: How this is an example of utilitarianism or social contract theory.

Question 2: Whether this is /was effective in establishing good and fair relations among those it concerned. (Cite the source of this example and/or the organization/institution and/or the event, meeting, etc, at which this took place