Case Study on Moral Status Assignment Paper
Based on \”Case Study: Fetal Abnormality\” and the required topic study materials, write a 750-1,000-word reflection that answers the following questions:
1. What is the Christian view of the nature of human persons, and which theory of moral status is it compatible with? How is this related to the intrinsic human value and dignity?
2.Which theory or theories are being used by Jessica, Marco, Maria, and Dr. Wilson to determine the moral status of the fetus? What from the case study specifically leads you to believe that they hold the theory you selected?
3.How does the theory determine or influence each of their recommendations for action?
4.What theory do you agree with? Why? How would that theory determine or influence the recommendation for action?
Remember to support your responses with the topic study materials.
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Case Study on Moral Status
The Christian view of the nature of human persons is that every person was created by God and has some component of divinity resultant from being created in the image of God. In addition, God created the universe and everything within it in a purposeful manner. As such, humans must understand the purpose for which they were created by God and how they can fulfil this purpose. Case Study on Moral Status Assignment Paper At the core of God’s intention is the values of fairness, love, care and service to God. As humans are created in the image of God, then it standards to reason that every person has some godhood. As a result, humans must treat others in the same way they would expect others to treat them, while observing the core values of fairness, love, care and service to God. The implication is that humans have an intrinsic value that they enjoy simply because they are human (Gensler, 2016).
The discussed Christian view of the nature of human persons is aligned with Kantian Ethic. This ethical theory advances that human dignity is an inherent status enjoyed by every human being, regardless of demographic peculiarities, backgrounds, religion, age and so on, simply because of being human. This implies that there is an obligation to recognize the intrinsic human value and dignity by virtue of identity as a human being even before other factors are considered (Potter et al., 2018).
Jessica, Marco, Maria and Dr. Wilson use different theories to determine the moral status of the fetus. Firstly, Jessica applies the theory of Ethical Egoism that sees her pursuing her personal interests as the primary concern. Jessica express worry about her unfavorable financial status and the implications of having a baby who would have financial demands. She did not plan to have a baby at this time and feels that terminating the pregnancy would be the wiser decision. Her self interest in achieving financial stability is guiding how she perceives the fetus when determining its moral status (Butts & Karen, 2018).
Secondly, Marco applies the theory of Virtue Ethics. He has a pacifist personality that sees him seek to avoid conflict, accommodate every person, and generally follow the popular opinion. His ideas about right and wrong are based on what others think. He is guided by what Jessica thinks and would like to please her. On the other hand, he appears less concerned about the fetus and intent on following the decision that Jessica makes (Butts & Karen, 2018).
Thirdly, Maria applies the theory of Divine Command. She is religious in nature and believes that God has a plan for Jessica’s life. She advises that there should be some prayer before making the decision about the fetus. She understands the urgency and gravity of the decision, and calls a priest to engage them in prayer. She believes that God’s will guides their decisions, but insists that the fetus has value as a human life. This causes her to advice Jessica not to terminate the pregnancy as the fetus must be respected as a life, and not killed (Gensler, 2016).
Fourthly, Dr. Wilson applies Kantian Ethics. He bases his ideas of right and wrong on rational thought that compares the benefits and costs of each decision. Dr. Wilson understands that he is an expert who has an advisory role in the decisions that his patients make. As such, he is concerned with presented with comprehensive and truthful information to enable the patients make the best decisions (Gensler, 2016).
Jessica has made her recommendations based on the theory of Ethical Egoism. She is keen on pursuing her personal interests and achieving financial stability. This causes her to perceive the fetus as a financial pitfall that would hinder her from achieving financial stability. As a result, she recommends that the fetus should be terminated (Gensler, 2016).
Marco has made his recommendations based on the theory of Virtue Ethics. He seeks to support Jessica and can only do that by making recommendations that match her recommendations. He makes the recommendation that Jessica should be provided with all the information to enable her make the best decision, an implication that she would support the decision made by Jessica (Gensler, 2016).
Maria has made her recommendations based on the theory of Devine Command. She is intent on following God’s commandments and seeks the interpretations of a priest who guided by God. She is of the opinion that the pregnancy is God’s will and makes the recommendation that the fetus should be carried to term, and not terminated (Gensler, 2016).
Dr. Wilson has made his recommendations based on Kantian Ethics. He adopts a rational approach that is more suited to his professional position. He makes his recommendations based on his position as a physician, and recommends that the decision should only be made after all the relevant information has been acquired and evaluated (Gensler, 2016).
Kantian Ethics that advocates for rational decisions is the best theory to be applied in the case. Having all the relevant information and making the rational decision based on the evaluated information ensures that the best decision is made. Failing to evaluate all the information could result in the wrong decision being made, especially when key information is not provided. For instance, Kantian Ethics allows for adoption to be considered so that Jessica would keep the pregnancy place the baby for adoption upon giving birth. This would allow Jessica to pursue her selfish desire of achieving financial stability, and ensure that Maria is satisfied as the fetus is not terminated (Rasekh, 2016).
References
Butts, J. & Karen (2018). Philosophies and theories for advance nursing practice (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Gensler, H. (2016). Ethics and religion. Cambridge University Press.
Potter, P., Perry, A., Stockert, P., Hall, A. & Castaldi, P. (2018). Study guide for essentials for nursing practice. Elsevier.
Rasekh, M. (2016). Battle of life: a brief study of theories on abortion. Journal of Reproduction & Infertility, 4(3), 220-236. Case Study on Moral Status Assignment Paper