Hello everyone, and welcome back to my last blog post regarding the Justification of Murder under various moral frameworks. For this post, I will be discussing barriers and challenges I encountered throughout this inquiry project and how I worked to overcome them.
a. What challenges did you overcome throughout this inquiry project? How did you go about
overcoming these challenges?
This inquiry project was extremely interesting, though it was also filled with morally complex topics. One of the greatest challenges I faced while researching was discussing such a sensitive topic. Murder is generally considered to be wrong and unjust in all forms, which is why examining it required me to question this ideology and approach the topic from an analytical standpoint. It was often challenging to separate personal beliefs from philosophical reasoning, as they were quite contrasting. To overcome this challenge, I focused on studying various ethical frameworks, such as utilitarianism, virtue ethics and the natural law theory. These frameworks led me to analyze the topic rather than relying on personal opinions. These allowed me to understand how philosophers and societies analyze moral dilemmas in various ways. Breaking my research into structured sub-questions allowed me to explore such topics clearly and organize my ideas. Over time, this made it easier to evaluate various arguments while understanding how ethical debates and differing ideas are formed.
b. How did this inquiry change the way you think?
This inquiry significantly changed the way I think about morality and ethical reasoning. Before this project, I viewed murder as something that was simply wrong, without any need for further discussion. However, studying the various moral theories, societal perspectives, and historical examples led me to the realization that ethical issues are far more complex than they initially appear. Different philosophical perspectives evaluate actions based on various factors, such as intentions, time period, or universal principles. For example, utilitarianism focuses on the outcome and the good, while virtue ethics examines character and the intentions of an individual. Learning about such perspectives helped me understand that moral judgments are often shaped by the frameworks others use to interpret a situation. This allowed me to realize that morality requires understanding contrasting viewpoints while discussing crucial ethical issues.
c. How did this investigation impact your future decisions?
This investigation will impact my future decision-making by encouraging me to think critically when analyzing ethical questions and controversial topics. Instead of immediately accepting common assumptions, I now recognize the importance of questioning why people justify certain actions and what reasoning supports such justifications. Developing this is valuable not only in philosophy, but also in real-world situations involving law, politics and leadership. Since many decisions are made by governments and leaders, understanding these frameworks can allow individuals to better evaluate those decisions. This has also strengthened my ability to analyze arguments, compare differing perspectives and form a thoughtful conclusion when discussing a complex social issue.
d. What impact will this investigation have on others locally and/or globally?
The impact of this investigation would encourage discussion regarding topics such as the justification of murder. It would allow those in my community to think more deeply about justice, morality and the role laws play in the shape of our lives. It may also promote thoughtful discussion about ethical responsibilities and how one may determine what is right or wrong. On a larger scale, examining how violence and killing have been justified over time can help us better understand modern conflicts and political decisions around the world. By recognizing how moral frameworks influence such decisions, individuals may become more aware of the implications behind their actions or those taken in the name of the greater good. Overall, this inquiry highlights the importance of critical thinking, ethical awareness and open discussion when it comes to addressing moral issues.
