Ethics often asks questions of choice. In the analyzed story, there is a choice of a man who has committed a betrayal, but no one will know about it except if he personally tells. In the story, the ethical dilemma of Utilitarianism vs. Deontology appears. In the case of Utilitarianism, if the results of a man’s choice are worth the action, he may decide not to tell. However, based on Deontology, Ross says the results do not justify actions, and rules, duties, and obligations such as Fidelity are of prime importance (Gawronski and Beer 626).
If a man follows Utilitarianism and does not tell, this will allow him to save his family since he will never repeat his actions according to the story. On the other hand, it is difficult to tell whether this is the only reason that can destroy his family. Perhaps, starting from this situation, the construction of distrustful relationships will begin and ruin the relationship. Additionally, in this case, a man will violate the behavioral principles of Fidelity, truthfulness, and openness in marriage.
In the case of following Deontology, a man may lose his family, but at the same time, he will do what he should in accordance with moral standards. In the case of Deontology, the consequences are not taken into account, while in real life, they will play a significant role, including the impact on children, moral harm, and the division of property.
Summing up, each choice has its advantages and disadvantages. According to what Kant says, at the moment, it is not possible to tell which one will bring a better effect considering the long-term development of the situation. The choice of a man is exclusively personal, based on values and moral principles.
Work Cited
Gawronski, Bertram, and Jennifer S. Beer. “What Makes Moral Dilemma Judgments “Utilitarian” or “Deontological”?” Social Neuroscience, vol. 12, no. 6, 2016, pp. 626-632.