TOPIC: Maintaining Ethics in Groups
Answer those questions each should have 310 WORDS or more 1) Does the pursuit of our own self-interests lead to social order and harmony, or does it lead to social disharmony, aggression, and war? Support your answer using specific examples. 2) Think back to a time when you acted in a way that was not in your own self-interest. What motivated you to act this way? Why else might people act in ways that might not bring about the greatest pleasure for themselves? 3) Discuss whether the various natural human rights—such as the right of self-preservation and the right to life, liberty, property, and happiness—are always consistent with the duty to respect human dignity. Use specific examples to
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It is possible for the pursuit of self-interest to lead to both social order and harmony, as well as social disharmony, aggression, and war. In some cases, the pursuit of self-interest can lead to social order and harmony when individuals are able to cooperate and negotiate mutually beneficial outcomes. This can be seen in situations where individuals are able to come to an agreement on how to divide resources or work together towards a common goal.
However, the pursuit of self-interest can also lead to social disharmony, aggression, and war when individuals or groups are unable to come to an agreement or when one party’s pursuit of self-interest conflicts with the interests of others. For example, if two countries are competing for the same limited resource, this can lead to conflict and aggression as each tries to secure the resource for themselves. Similarly, if two individuals or groups have competing interests, this can lead to conflict and aggression as each tries to assert their own interests over those of the other.
There are many different reasons why people might act in ways that are not in their own self-interest. One reason might be a sense of moral obligation or duty. For example, someone might act in a way that is not in their own self-interest if they feel a strong sense of responsibility to help others or to do the right thing. Another reason might be a desire to build relationships or to be a part of a group. In these cases, people might act in ways that are not in their own self-interest in order to build trust or to strengthen social bonds.
The various natural human rights, such as the right of self-preservation and the right to life, liberty, property, and happiness, are not always consistent with the duty to respect human dignity. In some cases, the pursuit of these rights might conflict with the duty to respect the dignity of others. For example, if someone were to assert their right to property at the expense of the rights of others, this could be seen as a violation of human dignity. Similarly, if someone were to prioritize their own happiness above the well-being of others, this could also be seen as a violation of human dignity. It is important for individuals to balance their own rights and interests with the need to respect the dignity of others in order to create a just and harmonious society.
