Why did I choose this topic?
I chose this topic because I have always been interested about the Fukushima Nuclear Plant. I was very intrigued when I came across the news that pensioners were trying to volunteer to clean up the nuclear radiation. I wanted to write about this ethical issue because you can expand on the moral dilemmas and create in-depth analyses of the problem.
Conclusion
The scale of the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster has continued to grow over the past few years. It will continue to do so unless radical action is taken. The number of people who are being affected by the radiation is increasing and so are the radiation levels. Already, 33 cases of thyroid cancer in 260,000 children in Fukushima have been confirmed. An additional 42 are suspected. The radiation levels in the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant has exceeded the government standard by 800%. Although the nuclear radiation has not directly caused any deaths at the moment, those who have been evacuated are facing depression and losing the will to live, resulting in suicide. There is no doubt that something has to be done about the Fukushima Nuclear Power plant, but how? Until the Japanese build radiation-resistant robots that can be used on a grand scale, they need an alternative solution. The ‘Skilled Veterans Corps’ stirred some controversy because in a sense, the mission is suicidal, yet undeniably heroic. Therefore, I agree with the fact that the ‘Skilled Veterans Corps’ are showing an act of heroism because although they are entering a known death situation, they are doing this for the good and for the love of others. I am also Christian, so my views about the 'Skilled Veterans Corps' are affected by Jesus' teachings about 'loving your neighbour'.
Therefore, I most closely relate to Situation Ethics. Although it is subjective and can be inconsistent, I do not believe that morality is something that can just be obtained by following strict rules (like Kantian Ethics). I also felt that Utilitarianism was too numerical and its logic too simplistic when it concerns complex ethical issues. Sometimes there are exceptions where one just has to act intuitively, whilst keeping moral attributes. Situation Ethics also strikes the right balance between consequentialism and an element of humaneness. Natural Moral Law does not seem to encompass this theme of love, as it is more strongly related to your purpose, in other words, your duty. Again, I feel that 'duty', in a way, is less 'moral' because it is forced upon you.
In conclusion, I believe that the 'Skilled Veterans Corps' are showing an act of heroism because they are sacrificing their lives in order to save others. Furthermore, I agree with the Situation Ethicist response to this issue, as it is a teleological theory based on the outcome that shows the most Agapé love, instead of numerical values.
I chose this topic because I have always been interested about the Fukushima Nuclear Plant. I was very intrigued when I came across the news that pensioners were trying to volunteer to clean up the nuclear radiation. I wanted to write about this ethical issue because you can expand on the moral dilemmas and create in-depth analyses of the problem.
Conclusion
The scale of the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster has continued to grow over the past few years. It will continue to do so unless radical action is taken. The number of people who are being affected by the radiation is increasing and so are the radiation levels. Already, 33 cases of thyroid cancer in 260,000 children in Fukushima have been confirmed. An additional 42 are suspected. The radiation levels in the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant has exceeded the government standard by 800%. Although the nuclear radiation has not directly caused any deaths at the moment, those who have been evacuated are facing depression and losing the will to live, resulting in suicide. There is no doubt that something has to be done about the Fukushima Nuclear Power plant, but how? Until the Japanese build radiation-resistant robots that can be used on a grand scale, they need an alternative solution. The ‘Skilled Veterans Corps’ stirred some controversy because in a sense, the mission is suicidal, yet undeniably heroic. Therefore, I agree with the fact that the ‘Skilled Veterans Corps’ are showing an act of heroism because although they are entering a known death situation, they are doing this for the good and for the love of others. I am also Christian, so my views about the 'Skilled Veterans Corps' are affected by Jesus' teachings about 'loving your neighbour'.
Therefore, I most closely relate to Situation Ethics. Although it is subjective and can be inconsistent, I do not believe that morality is something that can just be obtained by following strict rules (like Kantian Ethics). I also felt that Utilitarianism was too numerical and its logic too simplistic when it concerns complex ethical issues. Sometimes there are exceptions where one just has to act intuitively, whilst keeping moral attributes. Situation Ethics also strikes the right balance between consequentialism and an element of humaneness. Natural Moral Law does not seem to encompass this theme of love, as it is more strongly related to your purpose, in other words, your duty. Again, I feel that 'duty', in a way, is less 'moral' because it is forced upon you.
In conclusion, I believe that the 'Skilled Veterans Corps' are showing an act of heroism because they are sacrificing their lives in order to save others. Furthermore, I agree with the Situation Ethicist response to this issue, as it is a teleological theory based on the outcome that shows the most Agapé love, instead of numerical values.