The basis of normative ethics is to generally provide a guideline that has the purpose of trying to define the best way that we need to lead our lives (Ekvall, Tillman and Molander, 2005). It recognizes that for any act that is performed there exist the acts consequences, the act itself and the individual that is responsible for performing the act.
To analyze the situation at hand it will be of essence to view the circumstance surrounding the scenario from different types of ethical theories that do exist. These do comprise of virtue ethics, consequentialism and Deontology.
According to Annas (2009) the virtue ethics theory recommends individuals to possess character traits that are unique such as loyalty. On applying this theory, the probationer has failed since for a period of 4 months he has not
...kept contact with the probation officer. On the other hand by applying the that is of the view that an act is good or bad in itself. The probation officer needs to hold Raul responsible for acts such as being involved with a woman that has three children since it should not be considered to be morally right.
Additionally, the fact that Paul was involved with a 16 year old girl is wrong. This is despite the excuse that the girl lied about her age since it was Paul’s responsibility to confirm the age of the girl before being involved with her. Furthermore, the probation officer needs to inform the woman with three children regarding the past behavior of Paul of molesting two kids aged 4 and 7 of the female gender.
Additionally, by applying the consequentialism theory, that holds that our acts need
to be tailored in a way that looks forward to ensure that best consequences are realized, Paul is guilty. This is mainly due to the facts that, by failing to have contact with the probation officer for a duration of four months while on probation, the consequences that need to face Paul is going back to prison.
Moreover since it is mainly concerned by ensuring that the world is made a better place, Paul’s character of getting involved with a woman that has three children that are not his own does not favor the idea of making the world a better place.
Hedgecoe (2004) argues that a philosophical examination of issues that are particular in public or private life is based on moral judgment is referred to as applied ethics. It is mainly concerned with moral issues that are controversial and moral questions that are difficult (Rest, 2004).
For this scenario there is a moral issue that involves sex before marriage. Since Paul was involved with a 16 year old when they were not married to each other. This can be considered to be morally wrong since it promotes promiscuous behavior. Also there is an issue of faithfulness to one partner.
The woman that has three children who is involved with Paul is not faithful to the father of the children. Also, there is an issue of child molesting. This is evident since the two girls molested by Paul had not reached the required minimum age required for an individual to have sex consent.
To the probation officer it is evident that Paul has violated the probation terms for not contacting him or her in four months. Additionally, it is
evident that he has not changed his ways as he is still involved with a woman with three children. The probation officer needs to inform the woman of Paul’s past molestation on the two girls and consider terminating the probation for and return Paul to prison.
