PHI FPX 2000 Assessment 3 Applied Critical Theory
Student Name
Capella University
PHI FPX 2000 Ethics
Prof. Name
Date
PHI FPX 2000 Assessment 3 Applied Critical Theory
Critical theory provides a useful framework for understanding how power, social structures, and dominant norms can contribute to inequality and marginalization. In the case of Rhonda, a transgender woman who asks her colleagues to use her preferred pronouns, the ethical conflict involves competing beliefs about identity, respect, personal values, and social responsibility. Applying critical theory highlights how dominant gender norms can influence workplace interactions and individual autonomy, while normative ethical theories provide approaches for determining how the conflict can be addressed ethically.
Primary Interests of the Stakeholders
The central stakeholders in this ethical conflict are Rhonda and her colleague Phil. Their interests are connected to personal identity, autonomy, beliefs, and respectful interpersonal relationships.
Rhonda seeks recognition of her identity as a transgender woman and asks colleagues to use she/her/hers pronouns. Using a person’s stated pronouns can be understood as a way of acknowledging their identity and supporting respectful communication. For Rhonda, the issue is therefore closely connected to personal dignity, self-expression, and agency (Darby et al., 2020).
Phil has a different perspective. His resistance to using Rhonda’s preferred pronouns is associated with his personal beliefs and understanding of gender. Witt (2021) discusses the ethical questions that can arise when individuals have different views concerning preferred gender pronouns.
The conflict occurs because these interests overlap but do not align. Rhonda’s request focuses on recognition and respect for her identity, whereas Phil’s position is influenced by his personal beliefs. When one person’s beliefs affect how another person is addressed, the situation can create an ethical tension involving individual autonomy, respect, and social interaction.
Applying Critical Theory to the Ethical Conflict
Critical theory examines how social institutions, cultural expectations, and systems of power influence people’s experiences. Rather than considering the disagreement solely as a conflict between two individuals, critical theory asks how broader social norms may shape their beliefs and behavior.
One important concept is hegemony, which refers to the influence of dominant ideas and social norms. Gender expectations have historically been shaped by binary and heteronormative assumptions. From a critical-theory perspective, Phil’s resistance can therefore be examined in relation to broader cultural expectations surrounding gender identity rather than viewed only as an individual disagreement (Holt, 2021).
Critical theory also draws attention to marginalization and unequal social power. Transgender individuals may encounter social barriers that affect their experiences in educational, professional, healthcare, and community settings. Examining these broader conditions can help explain why seemingly simple interactions, such as the use of pronouns, may have significant implications for identity and social inclusion.
Intersectionality and the Stakeholder Experience
Intersectionality expands the analysis by recognizing that people can experience multiple, overlapping forms of social identity and disadvantage. Factors such as race, socioeconomic status, gender identity, and sexuality may interact and influence how individuals experience institutions and social relationships (Amelina & Schäfer, 2020).
For Rhonda, gender identity is the primary issue presented in the scenario. However, an intersectional approach recognizes that her experience should not automatically be separated from other aspects of her social identity. Different forms of marginalization can interact and create experiences that are more complex than a single category of identity suggests.
This perspective encourages decision-makers to consider the broader social context surrounding an ethical conflict rather than focusing exclusively on the immediate disagreement.
Ethical Conflicts and Queer Theory
Queer theory offers another critical perspective for examining the disagreement. It challenges assumptions that heterosexuality and binary gender identities should automatically be treated as universal or normative. The theory can therefore be used to examine how social expectations influence perceptions of gender and sexuality (Lee, 2019).
In Rhonda’s situation, queer theory draws attention to the tension between her identification as a transgender woman and Phil’s understanding of gender. The conflict illustrates how different conceptions of gender can produce disagreement about language, identity, and interpersonal behavior.
Queer theory also emphasizes the relationship between individual experiences and larger social structures. Ciszek et al. (2022) explain how gender, race, and sexuality can intersect with broader social and cultural systems. Applying this perspective helps place the disagreement within a larger discussion about identity, social recognition, and power.
Traditional Theories of Normative Ethics
Normative ethics focuses on principles that can guide decisions about what individuals ought to do. Several traditional ethical theories can be applied to the conflict between Rhonda and Phil.
Virtue Ethics
Virtue ethics emphasizes moral character and the development of qualities such as compassion, empathy, kindness, fairness, and respect. From this perspective, responding respectfully to Rhonda’s request can be viewed as an opportunity to demonstrate virtues that support constructive relationships.
A virtue-based approach would encourage individuals to consider how their behavior reflects their character and contributes to a respectful environment. Guinebert (2020) explains that virtue ethics focuses on moral character and the relationship between virtues and ethical action.
Deontological Ethics
Deontological ethics focuses on duties, obligations, and principles rather than primarily considering the consequences of an action. Jalsenjak (2019) describes deontological approaches as emphasizing moral duties and principles that guide behavior.
Applied to this scenario, a duty-based approach would focus on the obligation to treat individuals with dignity and respect. Using Rhonda’s requested pronouns can therefore be considered within a broader ethical obligation to engage respectfully with colleagues.
Consequentialist Ethics
Consequentialism evaluates actions according to their outcomes. From this perspective, the potential effects of different responses on Rhonda, Phil, and the broader group would need to be considered.
Phil might argue that changing established language could create discomfort, disagreement, or uncertainty within the group. Conversely, failing to acknowledge Rhonda’s requested pronouns could contribute to interpersonal conflict or feelings of exclusion. A consequentialist analysis therefore requires consideration of the potential effects on all stakeholders rather than focusing on only one person’s immediate preferences (Taggart & Zenor, 2022).
Resolving the Ethical Conflict
The ethical conflict can be approached by considering both individual rights and the broader responsibilities of a professional or organizational environment. Critical theory helps identify the influence of power structures and dominant social norms, while normative ethics provides principles for evaluating possible responses.
A constructive approach would involve respectful communication, recognition of the stakeholders’ concerns, and application of consistent standards for interpersonal conduct. The goal is not simply to eliminate disagreement but to establish an environment in which individuals can communicate respectfully despite differences in personal beliefs.
Organizations and professional groups can also establish clear expectations concerning respectful communication and treatment of colleagues. Such expectations can provide a consistent framework for addressing similar conflicts while reducing the likelihood that individual disagreements become disruptive.
Why Critical Theory Matters in Ethical Decision-Making
Critical theory is particularly useful in ethical analysis because it encourages individuals to look beyond immediate disagreements and examine the social structures that influence them. It asks questions about whose perspectives are treated as conventional, how power affects interactions, and whether established norms create unequal experiences for different groups.
When combined with normative ethics, critical theory provides a broader approach to ethical decision-making. Critical theory can identify structural and social influences, while virtue ethics, deontology, and consequentialism can help evaluate possible responses according to character, duty, and consequences.
Conclusion
The ethical conflict involving Rhonda and Phil demonstrates how questions of identity, personal beliefs, social norms, and professional relationships can intersect. Critical theory highlights the role of power, hegemony, marginalization, and social expectations in shaping the disagreement. Queer theory further examines assumptions surrounding gender and challenges the idea that binary gender norms should automatically determine how individuals are recognized.
Normative ethical theories provide additional tools for evaluating the situation. Virtue ethics emphasizes compassion and respect, deontological ethics focuses on moral duties, and consequentialism considers the effects of different responses on the stakeholders. Together, these perspectives demonstrate why ethical conflicts involving gender identity require consideration of both individual experiences and broader social structures.
References
Amelina, A., & Schäfer, J. (2020). Intersectionality as critical social theory. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 43(8), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1080/01419870.2019.1707252
Ciszek, E., Place, K., & Logan, N. (2022). Critical humanism for public relations: Harnessing the synergy of gender, race and sexuality research. Public Relations Review, 48(1), 102151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2022.102151
Darby, M., Bolland, K., Cervantes, A., & Hitter, T. (2020). Ethical considerations in group work with transgender/gender diverse clients. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 70(4), 579–598. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207284.2020.1787173
Duthie, K. (2019). Ethical considerations for health leaders responsible for the care of transgender patients. Healthcare Management Forum, 32(2), 113–115. https://doi.org/10.1177/0840470418817481
Guinebert, S. (2020). How do moral theories stand to each other? Zeitschrift für Ethik und Moralphilosophie, 3(2), 279–299. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42048-020-00077-1
Holt, M. (2021). Critical theory. In Sexual orientation equality in schools (pp. 55–71). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65143-5_4
PHI FPX 2000 Assessment 3 Applied Critical Theory
Jalsenjak, B. (2019). Ethics and ethical theories. In Encyclopedia of sustainable management (pp. 1–5). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02006-4_115-1
Lee, R. (2019). Queering lactation: Contributions of queer theory to lactation support for LGBTQIA2S+ individuals and families. Journal of Human Lactation, 35(2), 233–238. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334419830992
Nagoshi, J., Nagoshi, C., & Pillai, V. (2022). Transgender theory revisited: Current applications to transgender issues. Current Opinion in Psychology, 49, 101546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101546
Regan, P., & Meyer, E. (2021). Queer theory and heteronormativity. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190264093.013.1387
Rivera, D., & Nadal, K. (2020). The intersection of queer theory and empirical methods. In Imagining queer methods (pp. 191–206). New York University Press. https://doi.org/10.18574/nyu/9781479808557.003.0012
Taggart, G., & Zenor, J. (2022). Evaluation as moral practice: The case of virtue ethics. Evaluation and Program Planning, 94, 102140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2022.102140
Witt, A. (2021). The use of preferred gender pronouns. Ethics & Medics, 46(2), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.5840/em20214623
Zaharin, A., & Pallotta, M. (2022). Reclaiming transgender identity through intersectionality and decoloniality: A critical autoethnography of an academic-activist performance. Journal of Intercultural Studies, 43(1), 98–119. https://doi.org/10.1080/07256868.2022.2012137