PHI 413V Week 2 Case-Study on Moral Status

PHI 413V Week 2 Case-Study on Moral Status

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Theory/Theories Being Used By Jessica, Marco, Maria, and Dr. Wilson to Determine the Moral Status of the Fetus

Jessica holds the theory of moral agency since she will determine the moral status of the child. As the mother, she determines if the fetus has the same rights as a live child or if it has no rights (Brown, 2018). The theory of moral agency is evident in the case study when Jessica develops intrapersonal conflict due to the financial burden the child will bring and her religious beliefs that all life is sacred. She acts as the moral agent, an individual acting for herself to make the most appropriate decision (Brown, 2018). Marco also uses the theory of moral agency. This is evidenced by his concern about the fetus’s prospects as a barrier to economic security and plans. The theory influences his recommendation as he decides that he will support Jessica in whatever decision she makes even though the child will pose financial barriers.

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Maria holds the theory of relationship demonstrated when she pleads with Jessica to continue with the pregnancy and allow God’s intention to occur. She also urges Jessica to think of her responsibility as a mother. Based on Maria’s character, she believes that Jessica has a relationship to the fetus as the mother and a relationship to God. The relationships give the fetus moral status making abortion wrong. It also exhibits the divine command theory, which perceives God as the creator who decides morality.

Dr. Wilson holds on the theory of cognitive properties, which states that, for something or someone to have moral status, it needs to be able to portray a level of awareness and rationality that a fetus does not possess (Brown, 2018). I believe Dr. Wilson uses the theory of cognitive properties since he provided the family with all the possible options. However, he had the greatest support on the possibility of abortion based on his medical knowledge of the disabilities. As per this theory, the fetus has no moral status, and it is thus acceptable to abort it.

The Theory I Agree With and How It Would Influence the Recommendation for Action

I agree with the theory of sentience and relationship, which state that sentient animals have moral status, and relationships with other living things determine our moral status. The theory of sentience and relationship would influence my recommendation for this case study since I believe that a fetus has full moral rights and should be treated as a separate individual from the mother. In my opinion, Jessica has an obligation to protect the fetus and responsibility to God not to destroy human life. Consequently, I would advise Jessica not to terminate the pregnancy and allow the fetus to come to terms since the infant would portray God’s image. Besides, it is God who gives life, and no human being has been given the authority to end life.

Conclusion

The Christian view of the nature of human persons is that each human being portrays the living image of God. The human person finds satisfaction in giving back to others. Christian view on human persons falls under the theory of cognitive properties, which views the human being as having cognition compared to other creatures. In the case study, Jessica and Marco were guided by the theory of moral agency. This puts them in a dilemma of aborting or keeping the pregnancy. Maria holds the theory of relationship, which influences her to advise Jessica to keep the pregnancy. Lastly, Dr. Wilson uses the theory of Cognitive properties, which influences him to support abortion in Jessica’s situation.

PHI413V Week2 Case-Study on Moral Status

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PHI 413V Week 2 Case Study on Moral Status (Fetal Abnormality)

Write a 750-1000 word analysis of “Case Study: Fetal Abnormality.” Be sure to address the following questions:

Which theory or theories are being used by Jessica, Marco, Maria, and Dr. Wilson to determine the moral status of the fetus? Explain.
How does the theory determine or influence each of their recommendation for action?
What theory do you agree with? How would that theory determine or influence the recommendation for action?

Theories Used to Determine the Moral Status of the Fetus

The case study presents four persons who apply different theories to determine the moral status of the fetus. These individuals include Jessica, the expectant mother, Marco who is Jessica’s husband, Maria and Jessica’s aunt, and Dr. Wilson, the physician who makes the diagnosis and recommends termination of the fetus because of the abnormality. The physician is categorical that the fetus will have problems because of its failure to develop limbs. Jessica relies on various theories and the need to exercise her moral agency aspect. Jessica uses the theories of human properties and divine command because of her faith as a Christian (Beckwith et al., 2020). Jessica values human life and understands that all life is sacred and a gift from God. She knows that the baby, if born, will have challenges because of its abnormality. As a moral agent, Jessica needs to make decisions about the moral status of the fetus. Imperatively, she is conflicted about her religious teachings that support human properties theory and divine command. She considers the financial challenges of raising a disabled child and the subsequent burden but also wishes to adhere to the Christian teachings as a faithful.

Marco weighs two options of either keeping the baby and the associated financial constraints and challenges as well as ensuring that he abides with his wife’s decision. Based on this, Marco uses moral agency theory as he allows Jessica to make the ultimate decision. He says that he shall support any choice that she will make concerning the fetus. Marco is more concerned about the financial burden and the overall functionality of the baby, if born. On her part, Maria as a Christian supports the divine command theory and implores Jessica to carry the pregnancy. She tells her to consider her relationship with the unborn and the Christian teachings and commands. She believes that the baby is God’s gift and its life is sacred (Fitzgerald, 2021). Therefore, she urges and supports Jessica to carry the pregnancy and not terminate the fetus because it has moral status and the right to life.

Dr. Wilson, the physician, gives all possible options to Jessica. However, he uses cognitive properties theory since his recommendation for termination of the fetus is based on medical and scientific evidence. The cognitive theory asserts that individuals attain moral status when they can communicate, exercise autonomy, and have senses as well as function well. Based on these attributes, the fetus cannot exist independently and neither can it communicate. As such, it has no moral status and should be terminated. The physician relies on this theory to recommend an abortion.

Influence of the Theories on the Recommended Actions

The individuals in the case study make recommendations on possible actions to the fetus based on the theories that they follow. For instance, the two women in the case view the fetus as a human being and are inclined to follow the theory of human properties. As such, Jessica may agree with Maria’s position and choose to give life to the fetus or baby as human being with its inherent dignity and sacredness as a gift from God. Dr. Wilson bases his action in scientific and practical aspects of the situation since the fetus does not have cognitive abilities and cannot be considered human since it lacks consciousness and feelings (Crisp, 2018).  Marco regards the fetus as a human being based on sentience. Accordingly, he believes that the action should be based on human properties and sentience. As such, the three individuals may be inclined to save the fetus life regardless of the expected difficulties.

Personal Choice

In my view, the human properties theory and the Christian worldview based on divine command approach are the most essential components of conferring moral status to an individual. As such, I agree that the fetus has a moral status because it has a life. Consequently, as a human being, it should be respected and its interests protected. The life of any human being, including the fetus, begins at conception and not birth. Exceptions can only be made if the pregnancy will endanger the life of Jessica.

Conclusion

The determination of person’s moral status is essential for healthcare providers to understand how to address such ethical issues. In this case, the moral status of the fetus is a bone of contention as the different individuals consider the right decision to make. The case shows that human beings have moral status that begins at birth and should be protected because of their inherent dignity.

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PHI 413V Week 2 Topic 2 Discussion 1

What is the Christian concept of the imago dei? How might it be important to healthcare, and why is it relevant?

In accordance with His own design, God created both male and female versions of man, each bearing the characteristics of the other. The Imago Dei expresses a fundamental link between God and man. This relationship has consequences for how we should value fundamental human rights and human flourishing, which in turn affects how we make medical decisions (Cherry,2017).

Because every human is made in the image and likeness of God, Imago Dei affirms the inestimable worth and value of every individual. We have been created and formed to love people and to be a receptacle for His goodness since we are made in His likeness. This is because it is so in line with our design, making working in healthcare a privilege. It becomes normal for us to treat patients with respect and dignity since that is how our Creator designed us. When faced with the complicated medical ethical dilemmas of today, this truth and actuality of Imago Dei also serve as a guide for our decision-making. Each patient has limitless value, thus we continue to be their voice and champion because of this (Anderson,2020).

Humans rely on one another for assistance in times of need and illness since that is how God created them. When patients visit a hospital, they put their trust in the staff members there, which serves as proof of this. Patients think that doctors are the ones who can save their lives. They put so much faith in doctors that when they tell them they will die, they give up and accept eternal damnation. People trust medical professionals, so they don’t just assume someone is dead when a doctor says so. An enormous amount of hope and trust that the illness and disease will soon be treated and life will be restored is expressed when a doctor reassures a patient that they will be alright. The imago Dei concept, which holds that human life is the most precious value, has a significant influence on how medical ethics are developed. It still holds true when addressing the moral issues that modern health care is currently facing. Health care workers are identified as instruments through which God’s will is accomplished because they carry out God’s plan for healing by providing healthcare (Cherry,2017).

PHI 413V Week 2 Topic 2 Discussion  2

As you reflect on Meilaender’s readings, what is his distinction between procreation and reproduction, as well as that of being begotten versus being made? Do you agree with his description? Why or why not?

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Imago Dei means that humans were created in the image of God. Not in the physical image, but in the spiritual likeness to his character. This means that killing a human is like killing God himself. This gives humans their inherent dignity and worth, personal autonomy and moral agency (White, 2020). Being in God’s image also makes humans ‘partners’ and ‘fellow persons’ with God, in which they are partners in the responsibility of caring for the Earth and all its inhabitants, living and otherwise (White, 2020).

It is important in health care to be able to treat the person holistically, and to treat every person with innate worth and of equal value and worthy of the utmost respect and dignity, as all of us are made in God’s image (White, 2020). It is relevant because we need to be patient advocates, and to help them any way we can. We need to help them through difficult times, when they may not be able to see a full picture of what is going on with them. They may be going through a difficult time with a medical diagnosis, not able to see past the diagnosis to the rest of their life. That is where we are to help out. To explain medical views vs wholistic views, and where they may need a little more education or spiritual support. According to Galanter et al. (2008), spirituality and religion are inextricably intertwined, and [in-hospital] chaplains provide spiritual support to patients who are dealing with issues related to finding meaning in life and coping and suffering… and major barriers identified by chaplains include inadequate staffing, inability of health care providers to identify patients’ spiritual needs, and being called too late to provide proper care to families. I agree with this. It is difficult to identify a spiritual need. I get that it makes a big difference, but I just don’t see where to start the conversation.