M9 (Bohan)

After reviewing the Hawthorne Studies video, for this week’s Class Discussion, what, if any, has been your experience with the Hawthorne effect on a job?   Answer this question and then choose one of the following to answer:

I do notice that I am more productive when my supervisors are around and are monitoring my work. My supervisor does a great job of motivating everyone at work and keeping the mood positive. That is why I have been at my current position for almost 4 years.

1) Describe a supervisor who inspired and motivated you — what were their characteristics or actions that made such a positive impact?

The supervisors I have had in the past that were the most motivating were very friendly, funny, and helpful. I felt like they cared about me and every worker as a person instead of looking at us as if we were slaves to the job. My current supervisor has been incredibly flexible with my school schedule and ensures I am consistently scheduled, even though I am not guarenteed hours as a PRN technician. Her willingness to work with me over the years has motivated me to work hard while at work and to stay employed there up until moving next year. I know I can rely on her to schedule me so that I stay financially supported.

M7 (Bohan)

An alternative/opposing point of view to Climate Change: https://www.bestvalueschools.com/faq/why-do-some-people-think-climate-change-is-a-hoax/

What environmental responsibilities do we have to the rest of the world?

I believe that it is our responsibility as a species to not interfere with the livelihood of other species. If we are causing a mass majority of populations/species to go extinct, something must change. We should not be causing anything so drastic that the environment shifts as a result. We should learn to coinhabit this planet instead of trying to rule this planet.

What obligations do we have to future generations?

If we don’t actively participate in slowing down global warming/climate change, our future generations will pay the price. For people with families, that is of great concern. I am concerned about all of the living creatures that inhabit this planet because eventually, resources will run out. It is just a matter of when they will run out.

Lastly: Everyone should contribute to protecting the environment. The responsibility of the cost should fall on whoever is polluting and the remaining costs should be covered by taxes/government funding.

M2 (Bohan)

THIS WEEK’S ASSIGNMENT: At some point in your life, I hope you have observed some of these normative theories in action.   Choose a situation from your life and describe how it applies to one of the theories you have just read about in Chapter 2 (Kant, Egoism, Utilitarianism, Good Will, Prima Facie Obligations, others, etc.). Discuss why you identified that particular situation with the stated theory. Be sure to describe the situation or example.   If you have not observed a theory in action in your life, find an example in our history and discuss how the theory applies to the situation.

I resonated most with the utilitarianism theory. I feel like this concept applies to many aspects of life; from working on group projects and finding a compromise between all members to find what fits the group best, to being a business owner and making decisions that will bring the most happiness to all customers and employees. I find most of my decisions are based on how the outcome with affect others and I  like to think that I make decisions that will best benefit everyone as a whole. For example, whenever I am placed into a group project at school, I usually step up to be the project leader and try to incorporate everyone’s ideas to ensure everyone’s happiness and content with the project outcome. The utilitarianism theory is applicable to many situational decisions in life and I believe most people base their decisions on what is best for all of those affected.

M1 (Bohan)

THIS WEEK’S ASSIGNMENT:   Answer these questions with original thought and references to the text or outside resources.   How do we develop our ethics? What are the primary sources for us to develop our ethical position?

People develop their ethics by being able to empathize with others. If one is able to imagine a theoretical scenario that could take place given a certain decision, they may decide to choose one way or another depending on the outcome of the theoretical  scenario and how their decision may affect others. For example, one could find themselves in a position to make a life-altering controversial decision that would affect many people, and they aren’t sure how to make the right decision. This person could begin with thinking about how the decision would affect individuals in one way versus the other and they could base their decision on what they think is best for the majority of people as a whole.

The text explains that some people derive their ethical standards from religious standpoints and from ethical relativism, but I don’t think this is entirely true. These two sources are valid in many cases, but both sources lack the encompassing basis of worldwide ethics.  You can be a good person without being driven by religion and you can also be religious while not being a good person. Humanity has common ethical standards worldwide, regardless of religion or culture, more-so based on empathy for fellow man.