Vice President Biden's Utilitarianism Ethical Lens

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Vice President Biden viewed the Afghanistan surge decision though the means utilitarianism ethical lens. Biden used several critical thinking elements while assessing the surge decision that supported means utilitarianism. Means utilitarianism is an effective ethical lens to view through when attempting to determine how many resources to apply to create the greatest good. Biden used the means utilitarianism ethical reasoning approach while questioning the cost and resources required to execute a counterinsurgency. In addition, Biden exhibited the implications critical thinking element while applying ethical reasoning. Critical thinkers employ the implications element which considers the short and long term consequences of decisions. The Vice President understood resources were limited, there were consequences to decisions, and both would have to be considered to create the greatest good for all stakeholders. Biden further demonstrated …show more content…

Biden effectively used implications, clarify concern, and assumptions critical thinking elements while advising the President. Moreover, he injected these elements into discussions with other key advisors that ultimately forced the group to consider and address the issues he voiced. Biden recognized that the analysis and recommendations that were presented to the President were flawed and incomplete. In regards to the counterinsurgency, advisors discussed troop level requirements to meet surge requirements but did not identify funding levels required to meet the strategy. The Vice President used the implications critical thinking element as part of his ethical reasoning to stress decisions had consequences. He was an advocate for considering all options and the second and third order effects of each course of action. Furthermore, Biden was focused on the resource impacts of each solution which further solidifies his means utilitarianism