Deliberation Overview
This deliberation was begun on Sunday, September 4, 2005
This history was compiled on Sunday, November 22, 2009
Describe the Situation
My roommate and I have been fighting all year. From the first day when he began to just leave his garbage all over the floor and refuse to take it out, the conflicts have never ended. We have fought over how loud my music can be, how often he drinks, whose turn it is to clean the refrigerator, and even who has a more difficult course schedule. The more we fight, the less I trust him. We have both tried to talk about our problems, but that always ends up in a fight as well. We’ve now both started acting very passive aggressively with each other. I’ll leave my light on when he is trying to sleep or he’ll “accidentally” leave trash on my side of the room. The more problems we have, the more I think we will never be able to be friends. How can I resolve my conflicts with my roommate and preserve some positive relationship with him?
Consequences Framework
Chosen standard for evaluating consequences:
maximizing overall happiness
This standard is most appropriate because:
This standard is applicable to this situation because happiness is what we are all striving for in this situation. Whatever solutions brings about the most happiness and the least unhappiness overall will be the best choice, even if it means making me a bit unhappy, the long term happiness will be worth it.
Chosen course of action:
This action fulfills my chosen standard because:
This action is consistent with the expectations of any ethics codes that apply to your situation.
I will be able to do this action.
Other alternatives explored using the Consequences Framework:
Duties Framework
I have judged that the most dutiful conduct in my situation is:
The action that would be most dutiful would be to first have an RA come in and help us discuss our conflicts. An RA is trained in conflict resolution and can help the two of us find a compromise to our problems. If that doesn’t work, the most dutiful action would be for me to change roommates. This process will fulfill the duties of Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, Fidelity, Self-Improvement, and Community.
This action is most dutiful because:
This action treats everyone with respect because it first tries to solve the problem through mutual discussion. Through mutual discussion, I am showing that I will listen to the problems my roommate has (and vice versa) and it shows my belief that the two of us can come up with a rational decision. However, if that doesn’t work, I can at least show respect by solving he conflict by just leaving.
Anyone would be obligated to perform this action because:
Kant’s perspective on Autonomy and the End in Itself helped me make this decision. My roommate and I are both rational beings that have the capacity to come to moral conclusions. As such, if we discuss our problems, we can come up with a solution. If this doesn’t work, I can still find an easy way out and just leave.
This alternative is consistent with the expectations of any ethics codes that apply to your situation.
I will be able to do this action.
Ranking of specific duties explored using this framework:
Virtue Framework
An action that will exhibit the most virtuous traits is:
The best course of action would be to talk to my roommate about my problems. This would help me become a virtuous person as it would cultivate my courage and wisdom. It would also be a healthy outlet for expressing my hope that we can come up with solutions and for expressing my anger, which can be used to help me care of the situation more and teach me what to be angry about. This would also uphold the virtues of honesty, because I will be talking with my roommate, and community, because I will be creating a more open community for people to discuss peacefully.
This is the action that an ideally virtuous person would do because:
Aristotle’s idea of the Golden mean and three of Plato’s main virtues helped me make this decision. My Anger and Hope are being used correctly because they are being used in the right amount and in the right way (as a way to make a virtuous decision). This is the essence of Aristotle’s Golden Mean. Also, Plato’s virtues of Courage and Wisdom will help me become a Just person, which is the ultimate good.
This alternative is consistent with the expectations of any ethics codes that apply to your situation.
I will NOT be able to do this action.
I am really afraid to talk to my roommate about our problems because I don't want to fight. I lack the Courage to go through with this action.