Critical Thinking Scenario Essay
Critical Thinking Scenario
Shanya Howard
ETH/316
January 14, 2015
Susie Holliday
Critical Thinking Scenario
Critical thinking is a learned thinking process. Like riding a bicycle, it takes time and effort to learn but once one gets it down, critical thinking can become as natural as breathing. When one applies critical thinking to ethics, the use of these three questions will help in almost any scenario. What are the moral responsibilities that are tied to the issue? Are there conflicts in one’s own moral ideas or obligations with this issue? What is the best outcome that one can achieve to reach one’s goal while keeping with one’s own moral code? In the Internet video, “To drill or Not to Drill”, Nightline (2004) states that there may be an ethical and environmental issue with drilling in the Midwest but lets the viewer answer the open ended question, should we drill or not drill. With the help of Nightline’s video, we shall put these questions to a test. Moral Responsibility and Moral Failings
The first question is what are the moral responsibilities of the participants in this issue? The land to be drill is government land and the “Bureau of Land Management is responsible for balancing the uses of public lands” (Nightline, 2004). The drillers are morally responsible for the land they lease and the people working in their company. The people living in the area have a responsibility to uphold the environment, their community and homes. The moral failings happen when one does not hold up to their responsibility. In this case, the drillers are not taking care of the land like they should and due to pressure, the Bureau of Land Management is not balancing the use of public land. The people living in the area are trying to uphold their responsibility.
Conflicts in Ideas and Obligations
Most moral failings are because of a conflict of ideas or obligations, which leads to question two: Are there conflicts in one’s own moral ideas or obligations with this issue?
Shanya Howard
ETH/316
January 14, 2015
Susie Holliday
Critical Thinking Scenario
Critical thinking is a learned thinking process. Like riding a bicycle, it takes time and effort to learn but once one gets it down, critical thinking can become as natural as breathing. When one applies critical thinking to ethics, the use of these three questions will help in almost any scenario. What are the moral responsibilities that are tied to the issue? Are there conflicts in one’s own moral ideas or obligations with this issue? What is the best outcome that one can achieve to reach one’s goal while keeping with one’s own moral code? In the Internet video, “To drill or Not to Drill”, Nightline (2004) states that there may be an ethical and environmental issue with drilling in the Midwest but lets the viewer answer the open ended question, should we drill or not drill. With the help of Nightline’s video, we shall put these questions to a test. Moral Responsibility and Moral Failings
The first question is what are the moral responsibilities of the participants in this issue? The land to be drill is government land and the “Bureau of Land Management is responsible for balancing the uses of public lands” (Nightline, 2004). The drillers are morally responsible for the land they lease and the people working in their company. The people living in the area have a responsibility to uphold the environment, their community and homes. The moral failings happen when one does not hold up to their responsibility. In this case, the drillers are not taking care of the land like they should and due to pressure, the Bureau of Land Management is not balancing the use of public land. The people living in the area are trying to uphold their responsibility.
Conflicts in Ideas and Obligations
Most moral failings are because of a conflict of ideas or obligations, which leads to question two: Are there conflicts in one’s own moral ideas or obligations with this issue?
References: Ruggiero, V. (2012). Thinking Critically About Ethical Issues (9th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix Collection database. Nightline (2004, June 19). To Drill or Not to Drill [Video file]. Retrieved from Pearson website: https://media.pearsoncmg.com/pls/us/phoenix/1269738887/To_Drill_or_Not_to_Drill.html