The Mayor

In the issue involving the mayor accepting gifts from specific individuals in the city, a lot of concerns come to light. It may seem extremely puzzling why the mayor is getting a lot of attention from prominent businesspeople and notable corporations who are either in business with the city or, intend to partner with the administration in the future. It is somewhat problematic because the first group gifting the leader involve those who recently received highly profitable contracts from the local government. To the public, this may very well look like the act of returning a favor for a deal agreed upon earlier. It carries with it the sense of bribery and may not reflect integrity on the procurement and tendering processes. The other group of individuals appears to be trying their lack for the next round of contracts. Although the mayor may defend himself saying that the gifts could be a means of the citizens appreciating his service, the goodies he is enjoying do not at all satisfy the needs of the members of the public.

Also, the parties involved only wanted to take care of their interests by ensuring that the mayor is on their side, through gifts that may very well be bribery. Therefore, the consequences made by the business persons and the mayor do not justify their selfish actions. The citizens must rise and demand a probe on the issue to determine the authenticity of the gifts and to examine the processes in the assigning of contracts.

The College Instructor

It is rather unfortunate that the college instructor could take advantage of the system’s flexibility and its administration’s trust in her all through the years of her teaching. Her actions show no indication whatsoever on benefitting anyone else but her. The instructor only wants to make more time for her classes in the quest to improve her studies and scale up the ranks in her career. It is evident that she was aiming for better positions in the future, which is not a bad thing until one begins to use others to their convenience and advantage, and, without their knowledge. The instructor’s duplicity stripped her of all integrity, and she was the only going to benefit in the long run. The consequences do not substantiate her actions in any way, and it is the responsibility of the institution to take the relevant action against her lack of integrity and, a good work ethic. The instructor needs to compensate for the time lost in her time as an act of responsibility or risk losing her job. It is not proper that she does not take the time to reevaluate and strategize especially with current market changes and, the apparent change in character, level of knowledge and ambition in her students.

Todd and Edna

The decision by Todd and Edna represents a greater good. It is evident that the two individuals had been going through one of the toughest moments in their lives, especially with Todd’s inability to hold a position of employment and Edna’s Alcoholism. In light of this, the decision by the couple to get a baby was that out selflessness and the desire to make things work. It was their ticket out of their comfort zones and a way of taking up a new type of responsibility.

The child was to strengthen their bond, to reduce the common misunderstandings and to initiate a culture where Edna and Todd worked together hand in hand as a team. It would prompt them to seek professional help as a means of understanding how to hold a job and, to end the addiction to alcohol. All parties would eventually benefit from the choice of both parents to stop birth control and get a baby. The child would have both parents and the two adults, would learn how to a responsible, progressive life. Therefore, in this situation, the consequences ethically justify the actions of both individuals.

Analysis with the Ethics of Locke

According to Locke, all individuals have the right to live freely without restrictions of any kind from an existing administration. However, this “God-given right” of liberty would only exist if a government was free of corruption and other selfish governments that might not benefit the whole citizenry. In the Second Treatise John suggests that laws should apply to each resident and not serve a chosen few (Locke, 2014). Locke’s theory agrees with my suggestion that the residents of the city should rise and demand answers, and, consequently remove the mayor from office if found guilty.

The ethics of Locke applied to the dilemma involving the college instructor would similarly find the lecturer at fault. The philosopher suggested that human beings can use their ability to reason to discern between virtue and vices, representing good and bad. However, good and bad highly depend on the societies involved (Parry, 2013). A lecture may receive praise for proper management of her resources, while another may be subject to scorn if he or she does not live up to the expectation. In light of this, the college fraternity, with unfaltering reason, would rebuke the instructor of her actions.

On account of Todd and Edna, Locke’s response to their decision would have been to the affirmative, an answer that would also connect to my reaction to the matter. Locke believed that experience coupled up with reflection allowed human beings to reason better and more rationally (Locke, 2015). The fact that both individuals decided to take up the responsibility of childbearing and move beyond their failures and weaknesses meant that their decision was progressive and, therefore, one that would impact everyone around them significantly. The law of opinion would have been responsible for their understanding of what choices would reap more benefits and be more acceptable in the community.

References

Locke, J. (2014). Second Treatise of Government: An essay concerning the true original, extent and end of civil government. John Wiley & Sons.

Locke, J. (2015). Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Book IV. Chapter III.

Parry, G. (2013). John Locke. Routledge.