The outlawing of slavery and extending voting rights to women seem to indicate that ethics can have beneficial results. Give an example from the past that indicates a similar result or a current social policy that might be regarded as wrong, which therefore needs to be changed
Civil Rights Act is the first one to come to mind.
Some states today have mandatory life sentences for those convicted of any crime for the third time. Also -- we need to look closely at who African-American males have a much higher incarceration rate than white males. Capital punishment is another issue that has a lot of opposition.
A bill before Congress would exclude s from domestic violence prosecution.
A past example that illustrates the beneficial results of ethical changes is the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. During this movement in the mid-20th century, individuals and organizations fought for equal rights for African Americans, leading to the abolition of racial segregation and discrimination. The landmark Supreme Court case of Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 ended legal segregation in public schools, marking a significant victory for civil rights. This change in ethical perspective had numerous positive outcomes, promoting equality, justice, and social cohesion.
Similarly, a current social policy that is often viewed as ethically wrong and in need of change is the criminalization of drug use, particularly for non-violent offenses. Many argue that the "War on Drugs" has resulted in high incarceration rates, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities, and has not effectively addressed drug addiction or reduced drug-related crime. As a result, there is a growing movement advocating for the decriminalization or legalization of certain drugs, combined with a focus on harm reduction strategies, public health, and treatment-oriented approaches. This change in policy direction reflects an evolving ethical perspective, aiming to address the root causes of drug-related issues and promote public well-being rather than punitive measures.
In both cases, the examples demonstrate how ethical changes have led to positive outcomes, challenging prevailing social norms and enhancing societal progress.