My Family: A Deontological Analysis

Words: 1516
Pages: 7

When I was about four years old, my younger sister and I were essentially abandoned by our biological mother. She was an alcoholic who abused my sister and neglected us frequently so that she could go out drinking with her friends. I suspect that her extended absence was expected by the adults in my life, but my sister and I were unprepared for the sudden loss. After she left, my father struggled to care for us on his own. Thankfully, my paternal grandparents took my sister and me in and raised us. My grandmother continued to care for us without missing a beat throughout all the trials and tribulations of childhood and adolescence, even after my grandfather passed away. Although my family may not be typical, my upbringing made me who I am today. …show more content…
I tend to be a consequentialist and a utilitarian. I see things in black and white and I feel that right and wrong are obvious in most scenarios. In my opinion, all people have equal moral worth and I believe that the right choice is what brings happiness to the most people and has the furthest reaching benefits. If something is not useful or practical, I do not think it has value. However, the Trolley Problem made it clear to me that I would never make a utilitarian choice regarding my own family (MacKinnon & Fiala, 2018, p.102). Does this conflict make me hypocritical, or is it merely a sign of my …show more content…
She is the moral compass I never realized I had and her ideologies are always with me. Even today, at eighty-six years old, she continues to take care of her family because she believes it is her duty. She is from a generation that worked hard and would sacrifice everything for their family. She taught me right from wrong and what it means to be a good man. She practices tough love, always abides by the golden rule, and never gives up on the people she loves. She made me the man I am today and I am so grateful that she felt a duty to help me when I was a careless, selfish young