Essay
Judge the medical case studied in class during Week 7 in the Discussion Board. In the video, philosophers applied the three major ethical principles you learned in this class: Kant’s Categorical Imperative, Utilitarianism, and Virtue Ethics. In a five paragraphessay, apply ONE ethical theory to decide the moral course of action in the medical case of the premature twins studied in class.Apply the ethical theory in each paragraph to support your arguments throughout the entire essay. Not using the ethical theory results in an automatic zero. Using more than one ethical theory results in an automatic zero. (50 points) You have 4 hours to complete this exam. You only have ONE attempt to complete this exam.
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Introduction:
The medical case studied in class during Week 7 in the Discussion Board revolves around the dilemma of choosing between saving the life of one twin and letting the other die in case of prematurity. In the video, the philosophers applied the three major ethical principles, including Kant’s Categorical Imperative, Utilitarianism, and Virtue Ethics. In this essay, we will apply one ethical theory to decide the moral course of action in this medical case.
Answer:
Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that suggests that the moral course of action is the one that has the maximum benefit for the maximum number of people involved. In the case of the premature twins, utilitarianism would suggest that the moral decision is to save the life of the healthy and more viable twin instead of performing surgery to save both twins, which is more likely to result in the death of both. In this situation, the decision is based on the idea that saving the life of the most viable twin would result in the greatest good for the parents and other people involved in the delivery of the babies.
According to Kant’s Categorical Imperative, the decision should be based on the moral obligation or duty that we have to do what is right. In this case, the moral decision would be to perform the surgery to save both twins, regardless of the risks involved. The moral obligation to save the lives of both twins is of utmost importance, and any decision that contradicts this would be immoral. Therefore, Kant’s theory would recommend performing the surgery to ensure that we fulfill our duty to save the lives of both twins.
Virtue ethics, on the other hand, would focus on the character of the people involved in the decision-making process. In this situation, the decision would be based on the virtues of compassion, benevolence, and beneficence. This ethical theory would suggest that the moral decision is to perform the surgery to save both twins as it reflects the virtues of good character, such as compassion and benevolence towards the innocent twins. Therefore, the medical team should do everything in their power to save the lives of both twins, regardless of the risks involved.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the case of the premature twins studied in class presents us with a complex moral dilemma. However, applying utilitarianism, Kant’s Categorical Imperative, and Virtue Ethics can help us make an informed and just decision. Each ethical theory presents a different perspective on how to approach the situation. Nevertheless, what is important is to ensure that the decision made aligns with our moral code and principles.
