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What Is A Personal Ethical Dilemma

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Adolescent smoking can also be related to the concept of maxims; the two main types of imperatives. Imperatives can be divided into two categories; hypothetical and categorical. Hypothetical imperatives are well known as the formula of command of reason that represents an objective or purpose. This imperative is telling as to how we must act in order to achieve a particular goal. An example of this can be related to the ethical dilemma I faced when I committed the act of smoking in order to achieve social acceptance. Many teenagers are under the impression that high school is based on this ideology and that it will determine the social category they will be placed in for the remainder of their high school experience. “Hypothetical imperative demands only that a person follows through in practice the commitments he has made and does not withdraw (Hill, …show more content…

I felt as though I was categorized as a social reject, thus forcing me to try underage smoking even though I was aware of the negative repercussions and the disappointment I would face from my parents. My personal ethical dilemma is a prime example of the thought process an individual faces in high school and the decisions they must endure despite it seemly like a simple decision of whether to smoke or not smoke. Hypothetical imperative is when an individual “has decided to pursue a certain end and remains constant to his commitment to it, then one ought to will the necessary means within his power (Hill, 1973)." This further proves that students who want to be apart of a particular social class and will pursue their goal by any means necessary. One of the negatives effects has proven to have, is having to conform and participate in activities they wouldn’t normally, simply to be apart of a social standing (Zuckerman, 1978). Hill explains this theory further with a study conducted with a University

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