Introduction

Ethics always ensures that the right action is taken to solve dilemmas in real life. Ethics does not support the law in this case as the dilemma can effectively be solved using the ethics’ school of thoughts that is, Ends-based and Care based.

Solving the problem using Ends based and Care based thinking

The below dilemma can be solved using the ends based way of thinking that demands that whatever is done should be for the greatest good that will benefit a large number of people. The adopting parents should stay with the fostered daughter. This way of thinking also examines that when an action is done, consideration of the number that will benefit is taken into account, for this case the number will be the daughter and the foster parents verses the natural real parents.

The scenario can also be solved using care based way of thinking that puts love and care first. The adopting parents should stay with the fostered daughter. This school of thought demands that whatever is done to somebody is done based on a way that will be pleasant if done to you. Before deciding to give the child away to the natural parents, one should put him/herself on the shoes of the foster parent and imagine the feeling of taking away someone you have been with for a long time. Having taken care of the child for 9 years the foster parents have had emotional attachment to the child just like their real children and it is unfair snatching the child from them.

Explain the similarities and differences in your two solutions to the same dilemma

Similarities

There are similarities between the two ways of thinking in solving the dilemma. Both try to choose an option that will portray a common good; solving a problem in the best way possible.

Both ways of thinking have a similarity in that they identify the moral issue in this scenario. Morally, it is appropriate that the child be left to the foster parents since they have shown that they can care for her.

Differences

There is a difference between the two schools of thinking as End-based decides on whatever can work. In this case End-based will decide on leaving the child to the foster parents merely because a majority of people will be happy. It does not take into account any moral feeling of love or caring. It does not take into account any principle or reason why it is done that way, the child is left to the foster parents because it will serve the interest of many people without asking why. 

On the other hand, care-based thinking relies on rules reasoning and procedures of doing something. It is more interested as to why we decide on an option of solving a dilemma. The adopting parents should be allowed to have the child because they have been with her for a long time. This way of thinking takes into account different concerns raised and takes the merit of each case brought forward then the one that ranks high is chosen. 

Statement and Justification

These two schools of thought are worthy to be used in real life dilemmas because they take account of the circumstances however difficult. They take an account of whether the end result will be pleasing that is, serving both the good, love and caring.

Do you feel that Aristotle would have approved of either of your solutions? Why or why not?

Aristotle would have approved the solution since his premise relies on common sense. He argues that to solve a problem amicably, we must always use our common sense and do what we feel is right. Based on the problem, naturally it is appropriate that the child be left to the foster parents who have taken care of the child for nine years. There is no need to point at self-interest when solving dilemmas but look at the major interest. In this case, though they are the parents of the child, self-interest would award them the child but common sense would look at the initial encounter of the parents and the child, then look at the encounter with the foster parents and decide to do the right of leaving the child where she would want to be.