A. Read the following case and then tick the right answer(s) from among the choices that follow:

You became the chief of police in your place after successfully going after big time computer hackers and a syndicate engaged in the production and sale of pirated software. One day, you find out that your eldest son is an active computer hacker. When you confront your son, he tells you that he is sorry and he promises that he will never again engage in activities involving computer crimes. Your are now faced with the problem of having to choose between two options: first, as a chief of police, you have a duty to arrest your own son; and second, as a parent, you have the duty to protect your son.

______ 1. The situation illustrates the problem of freedom.
______ 2. The situation illustrates the problem of moral obligation.
______ 3. The situation illustrates the problem of the scope of morality.
______ 4. The situation illustrates the problem of moral principle.

Answers:

#2 The situation illustrates the problem of moral obligation.
In this case, the chief of police is confronted with two (2) conflicting moral obligations, i.e. the desire to forgive his son as a parent and his moral obligation to society and assigned duty as a chief of police officer.

#4 The situation illustrates the problem of moral principle.
In this case, the chief of police is also confronted with the problem of moral principles, i.e. if he arrests his son, their relationship might be severed and/or damaged. If he will not arrest his son, it is equivalent to not performing or doing his duty as a police officer.

B. In your opinion, which of the moral problems discussed is the most pervasive? Explain your answer.

In my opinion, the most pervasive moral problem is the problem of moral principle because there is no concrete or just one standard or moral principle that will define good or bad decisions, right or wrong choices or actions. One's decision can always be questioned by another moral principle. There are different moral principles that serve as basis for making decisions/choosing what is right or wrong.

The problem of the scope of morality lies on what a moral principle includes and what it excludes. It means that one can select the moral principle that governs such act and it is just a matter of determining its scope or boundary.

The problem of moral obligation works in accordance with the dictates of society. One has moral obligation (duty or assigned task) to abide which serves as basis for determining what is right or wrong.

The problem of freedom is quite straightforward, i.e. one can do anything he wants as long as it will not infringe on the rights of other people or unlawful.