6 Sep 2022

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Ethical Dilemma: Utilitarianism

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Academic level: College

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Pages: 3

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According to deontological ethics, a behavior or act I wrong or right irrespective of the consequences of the act. Immanuel Kant believed that moral duty comes from adherence to the law. Under Kantian ideology, everyone should comply with rules without exemption and rules should be universally followed ( Newton, 2017) . Therefore, a deontological perspective would mean that homosexuality is wrong because it was against the law regardless of the deaths that occurred due to the law. However, if the anti-gay bill were changed or repealed to permit homosexuality, then the action would be right according to the deontological perspective. 

Utilitarianism believes that the moral nature of human should be guided by the results of the act. For instance, if a certain act leads to good results and reduces bad results, then the action is right and should be complied with ( Newton, 2017) . However, if a certain action causes continuous suffering, then the act is wrong. The law caused death and stigma to homosexual people despite the fact that it was aimed at reducing the incidence HIV and AIDS. Ultimately, it caused pain and suffering. Therefore, according to the utilitarian perspective, the law is wrong because it led to the murder of some LGBT members. 

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Relativism insists that moral judgments are false or true from a certain standpoint and that no standpoint has a unique privilege over the ideas of others ( Newton, 2017) . For instance, different cultures may experience radically varying moral values regarding homosexuality. Hence, homosexuality may be wrong according to the law in Farofflandia, but homosexuality may be right according to LGBT members or any other people in the society. The standpoint that homosexuality increases the incidence of HIV and AIDS may be right according to the law however, it can be controlled through monogamy or protected sex. Furthermore, HIV and AIDS is not infectious to homosexual people; it affects some heterosexual people too. 

Section B 

The IFSW ethical principles and NASW code of ethics strongly oppose any attempts to pass any legislation that may amend the US constitution to prohibit the recognition or discriminate against same sex couples. They support the dissemination and development of anti-discrimination laws that will be used in national, municipal, and state legislatures. The NASW code of ethics states that their social workers should not collaborate, practice, facilitate, or condone any form of discrimination against homosexual people ( Kane & Ayers, 2016) . Moreover, social workers should act to eliminate or prevent the exploitation or discrimination of the LGBT community. Both principles and ethics support the adoption of laws that will recognize property, inheritance, child custody, insurance, same sex marriage, and other rights LGBT in the LGBT community. They believe that all federal responsibilities and protections should be made available to all legally married couples in the country. 

All in all, IFSW ethical principles encourage equal protection under the Constitution, and they strongly support the proper and full implementation of the laid out civil rights legislation to LGBT and women. They endorse all federal, state, and local programs and policies that will offer every person equal and fair access to opportunities, resources, and services that they need ( Kane & Ayers, 2016) . All social workers should advocate and support the rights of all vulnerable people such as the LGBT community. The IFSW ethical principles insist that everyone should condemn hate, policies, intolerance, and bigotry that will put jeopardize or violate human rights because of their sexual orientation. Furthermore, the ethical principles dictate that they should maintain confidentiality when offering their services. Therefore, social workers should not reveal information regarding the people they serve including the LGBT community. The principles of social justice and ethical guidance are vital to social workers. 

Section C 

The Mississippi Bill 2016 only protects people who believe in heterosexual marriages. Under the law, all people who act according to religious beliefs that homosexuality is wrong, receive total immunity from prosecution ( Kane & Ayers, 2016) . For instance, landlords have the right to evict transsexual and gay renters. Companies have the right to fire all the LGBT employees, state run and private adoption agencies may turn away any same sex couple. Judges and clerks can refuse to marry them, and counselors and doctors may refuse to treat or counsel LGBT patients. Moreover, private enterprises may decline to serve LGBT people if they believe that they recognize homosexual marriages. In fact, the same sex couple who try to celebrate a birthday or anniversary with a delicious dinner may be lawfully ejected from the hotel or restaurant. The law was passed less than a year after the Supreme Court struck out the ban on same sex marriages in 2015. 

Social workers have the right and responsibility to support, encourage, and promote social justice in the society and the people they work with. They are required to challenge all forms of negative discrimination on factors such as spiritual beliefs, ability, sexual orientation, age, race, gender, or culture. Also, social workers are encouraged to recognize diversity and the differences that exist in the society ( Kane & Ayers, 2016) . Social work is dependent on the respect of dignity and inherent worth of all people. Despite the anti-LGBT law in Mississippi, social workers should defend and uphold every individual's spiritual, physical, emotional and psychological well-being and integrity. Furthermore, they should comply with the right to self-determination. They should promote and respect people’s right to make individual decisions and choices as long as they do not affect the legitimate interest and rights of other people. Furthermore, they should be accountable for the decisions they make when offering their services. 

References 

Kane, M. D., & Ayers, M. (2016). LGBT Activism in North America The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Gender and Sexuality Studies

Newton, M. T. (2017). A Comparison of Ethical Theories. 

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