Essay Grade

Ethical Dilemmas
Choose only one of the ethical dilemmas below to address in your essay. The questions at the
end of each dilemma are intended for you to reflect on. For your paper, you must organize your
writing using the sections and underlined titles listed on the assignment page. Do not copy the
case study into your essay.
1. Pornography
TJ secretly enjoys pornography. He gets a great deal of gratification out of viewing Internet
pornography and masturbating, though he always acts behind closed doors and believes that his
actions have no effect on others. He justifies his behavior by saying, “Who am I harming?”
Then he discovers a statistic on the Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking website
(http://www.unglobalcompact.org/docs/issues_doc/labour/Forced_labour/HUMAN_TRAFFICKI
NG_-_THE_FACTS_-_final.pdf), stating that 43% of human trafficking victims are used for
forced commercial sexual exploitation, of whom 98% are women and girls, and that the
pornography business is a multibillion dollar industry (Global Initiative, n.d.).
His freedom to view pornography is now at odds with harm to himself (addiction) and others
(abuse through forced trafficking and media exploitation). (More information can be found at
http://www.lifeissues.net/writers/may/may_17pornographycost.html, which is a report by
William May called “The Social Costs of Pornography” provided by the Witherspoon Institute
out of Princeton [May, 2010].)
How should TJ respond? Should he maintain his lifestyle because of his freedom of choice, or
should he change his behavior because of the harm done? What is his responsibility for the harm
that the pornography industry can cause, even if he himself is not directly harming someone
else?
2. Euthanasia
Joni was 17 when she was swimming with friends in the Chesapeake Bay. She dove into the
water, misjudging the depth, and fractured her vertebrae. This left her a quadriplegic, paralyzed
from her shoulders down. As might be expected, she went into severe depression, even having
serious thoughts of ending her life. Her quality of life was severely diminished. Her future
looked horribly bleak. What could she ever hope to accomplish as a human being in such a
weakened state? Why should she be forced to endure a life of suffering and hardship and be a
burden to her family? Should her wishes to be euthanized be granted? What do you think?
Should someone in her condition be permitted to have her life legally terminated?
3. Abortion
After trying for many years, Susan finally gets pregnant. Unfortunately, a blood test confirms
that her baby has Down syndrome, and her doctors suggest she abort the fetus. Susan has a
successful career and wants to maintain a healthy balance between her career and family. Yet she
feels very uncomfortable with abortion. She seeks some advice from Richard, an influential
© 2017. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
professor of evolutionary biology who has spent his career seeking to further human potential
and minimize human suffering. When Susan asks Richard if she should abort the fetus or give
birth to a baby with Down syndrome, Richard replied that human beings should increase
happiness and decrease suffering in this world, and that therefore he would suggest that she
abort, though he also stated that she must make this choice for herself. Richard emphasized the
lifelong suffering of both the child with Down syndrome and Susan as the child’s caretaker and
stated that it may be immoral to bring a baby into the world if she knew the kind of suffering the
child would experience. In fact, Richard suggested that perhaps the most ethical course of action
would be to prevent this baby from living a life full of suffering. (This scenario is based on the
following article by Richard Dawkins (2014): https://richarddawkins.net/2014/08/abortiondown-syndrome-an-apology-for-letting-slip-the-dogs-of-twitterwar/). How should Susan
respond? What decision should she make if her baby would suffer with Down syndrome, yet she
wants to have a baby?
4. Performance Enhancing Drugs
As a successful young athlete, Paul has been working hard in the weight room and on the field,
and he has earned a starting position on his team. As his team develops, some members of his
team have been experimenting with a new performance-enhancing drug and have seen
remarkable results. The drug is not a banned substance, largely because it is not widely known,
and Paul has seen it work for several of his teammates, who remind Paul of the remarkable fact
that this drug cannot be traced by any drug test available. Paul wants to succeed but is finding he
may be left behind by those who are getting bigger and faster. The coach seems to be aware of
the drug use but has turned a blind eye to it because the team has been winning so far and the
drug is technically not an illegal substance yet. Paul was just told by his coach that some changes
may be taking place and he may lose his starting position. His friend offered him a sample of the
drug to “catch up” with the others. What should his response be in regard to legal, physical, and
spiritual implications?
5. Religious Tolerance
In September 2014, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship was “derecognized” by the 23 public
California State University schools because the Christian organization requires its leaders to hold
Christian beliefs. Tina is a volunteer leader of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at a particular
public university. The new university policy requires that recognized campus groups have a
nondiscrimination policy that says an organization cannot require its leaders to hold any
particular beliefs (Stetzer, 2014). Being a recognized group is important to Tina, since it affects
such circumstances as free access to meeting rooms, advertisements at University sponsored
events, and official engagement with faculty and students. Tina believes that student leaders
must hold to essential Christian beliefs for the sake of the group’s purpose, though InterVarsity
has always welcomed anyone from any faith background to be a part of the group. Yet the
University system requires all recognized campus groups to sign a state-mandated
nondiscrimination policy stating that both membership and leadership positions are open for
anyone, whether they support the beliefs of the group or not (Winston, 2014). How should Tina
respond to the university leadership, if at all? What changes should Tina make to her chapter of
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, if any?
2
References
Dawkins, R. (2014, August 21). Abortion & Down syndrome: An apology for letting slip the
dogs of Twitterwar [Web log post]. Retrieved from
https://richarddawkins.net/2014/08/abortion-down-syndrome-an-apology-for-letting-slipthe-dogs-of-twitterwar/
Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking. (n.d.). Human trafficking: The facts. Retrieved
from
https://www.unglobalcompact.org/docs/issues_doc/labour/Forced_labour/HUMAN_TRA
FFICKING_-_THE_FACTS_-_final.pdf
May, W. E. (2010). The social costs of pornography. Retrieved from
http://www.lifeissues.net/writers/may/may_17pornographycost.html
Stetzer, E. (2014, September 6). InterVarsity “derecognized” at California State University’s 23
campuses: Some analysis and reflections. Christianity Today. Retrieved from
http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2014/september/intervarsity-nowderecognized-in-california-state-universit.html
Winston, K. (2014, September 10). InterVarsity, college Christian group “de-recognized” at
California State University campuses. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/09/intervarsity-sanctioned-california-stateuniversity_n_5791906.html
3
1
Name
Course
Date
Instructor
Benchmark – Ethical Dilemmas
In at least 65 words, complete your introductory paragraph with a thesis statement in
which you will address each of the following six sections with at least one paragraph each.
Ethical Dilemma
In at least 75 words, briefly describe the ethical dilemma in your own words.
Core Beliefs
In at least 140 words, respond thoroughly to the questions in the assignment. Be sure to
include citations.
Resolution
In at least 140 words, respond thoroughly to the questions in the assignment. Be sure to
include citations.
Evaluation
In at least 140 words, respond thoroughly to the questions in the assignment. Be sure to
include citations.
Comparison
In at least 140 words, respond thoroughly to the questions in the assignment. Be sure to
include citations.
Conclusion
2
In at least 140 words, synthesize the main points, pulling the ideas of the paper together.
Be sure to include citations.
3
References
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Journal Title, Volume(Issue), Page
numbers. Retrieved from url/permalink with hyperlink removed
Directions for Ethical Dilemma Essay
Below is an abbreviated (800 words and one citation) essay to use as an example of the flow of thought
for your essay. For the actual assignment, you will need to expand more and cite additional resources as
instructed. This example is based on the following case study:
At the real estate office where JR works, a woman from out of town calls and asks him to
list her deceased father’s home. She tells him she is concerned only in selling it quickly
and will be happy to get $70,000 for it. JR does a quick assessment of the house and
determines that it is worth at least $100,000. He also realizes that it would be a perfect
place for his son who just started looking for a small house he could afford.
Do not copy the case study you choose onto your essay page. Use the “Ethical Dilemma Essay Template”
provided. For great sources like the one used here, be sure to use the directions on “Navigating the GCU
Library for CWV Benchmark Research” linked in the syllabus. Include the permalink for each source.
The following is an example of an Ethical Dilemma Essay.
*
*
*
*
Benchmark – Ethical Dilemmas
People face ethical dilemmas all through their lives, some minor with few consequences,
and others major with large, sometimes unexpected negative consequences. How they navigate
their way through these dilemmas is influenced by their worldview and has an impact on shaping
their worldview. A real estate ethical dilemma will be examined from the perspective of the
Christian worldview and compared to how an atheist might approach it.
Ethical Dilemma
This case involves a man, JR, responding to a woman who has contacted him as her real
estate agent to sell her father’s house. She is anxious to sell it for $70,000. After JR looks at the
house he realizes that it would be just right for his son who needs a small house, but he
determines that it is actually worth at least $100,000.
The dilemma is that he could easily save his son $30,000 and get him this nice house, but
to do so would be to take advantage of the woman who owns it. To resolve the dilemma he could
© 2017. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.
do one of the following: (a) either have his son purchase the house for the asking price of
$70,000, allowing the woman to assume that this is the value, or (b) inform the woman that the
house is really worth $100,000 and mention that his son is willing to purchase for the full asking
price.
Core Beliefs
One of the Christian worldview’s core beliefs is the eighth commandment that says, “You
shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15 NIV). Since the house is worth $30,000 more than the woman
thinks it is worth, if JR sells it for her at the lower price he may in essence be stealing from her.
Another core belief is the ninth commandment that forbids lying (Exod. 20:16). In order
to sell the house to the woman at the lower value, he would have to convince her, or at least
deceive her into thinking that what she wants from the house ($70,000) is a reasonable value.
In addition, Christians are to follow the Golden Rule of Jesus from Matthew 7:12, which
says, “Do to others what you would have them do to you.” In this case, JR might ask himself if
he were the homeowner, what would he want the real estate agent to do?
Resolution
Based on the Scripture passages referred to above, it seems the Christian thing to do
would be for JR to explain to the woman that her house is worth more than $70,000, and inform
her of the fair market value of the house. He could then offer to her that if she is willing to sell it
at the lower price right away, his son may be interested in purchasing it. This way it still allows
room for God to bless the transaction in JR’s favor but also opens the door for God to bless the
seller with additional funds.
Evaluation
As a result of JR’s honesty the woman might choose to list the house for $100,000,
which, being too high a price for his son to afford, would mean that he would not get the house.
The benefit would be that JR could rest assured that his client is getting a fair deal and is
satisfied with his honest work ethic. He could also sleep well, knowing that he did the right
thing, as Jesus would do.
Comparison
If JR was an atheist, the dilemma might be resolved very differently. Atheism, since it is
not founded on a standard of absolute moral truth, would allow JR to decide for himself if this
situation constituted theft and deception. JR could feel justified thinking, if the woman gets what
she wants (selling the house quickly for $70,000), and he gets what he wants (a great house for
his son), then it is a win-win proposition.
In this ethical dilemma, one’s worldview could make a major difference. The Christian
worldview should compel JR to trust God and follow the teachings of the Bible, while atheism
may allow him to justify his own self-interests to insure getting a good deal for his son. Such
justification might sound like this: “And indeed, experience tells us that locally capitalized
neighborhood markets do sustain their own rational order founded as they are upon an
interlocking system of self-interested exchange” (Whybrow, 2010, para. 13).
There could be an unintended consequence, however, if the woman should discover the
true value of the house and realize that she was deceived into selling at a low price. She might
react by taking the realtor to court.
Conclusion
This real estate dilemma, with the temptation to be opportunistic and take advantage of
someone else for gain, causes JR to wrestle with staying true to his core beliefs. For Christians
this may be a kind of test of faith to trust God as they consider if they are choosing to live their
beliefs or allow their selfishness to gain the upper hand. It is the kind of challenge that people
face often throughout their lives, and the choices they make continue to shape their true
worldview.
References
Whybrow, P. C. (2010). The addictive striving for wealth has negative social repercussions. In R.
D. Lankford, Jr. (Ed.), At issue. Are America’s wealthy too powerful? Detroit, MI:
Greenhaven Press. (Reprinted from Dangerously addictive, Chronicle of Higher
Education, 2009, March 13) Retrieved from
https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010719216/O
VIC?u=canyonuniv&xid=3b8b0084
© 2017. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.

Purchase answer to see full
attachment