Compose 2-3 pages in which you respond to a medical ethics dilemma.
Ethics is about doing what is right. Traditional normative theories express this goal in one of three ways:
- Virtue Ethics
- Seek personal excellence by cultivating virtuous habits.
- Aristotle: Achieve self-sufficiency through moderation.
- Deontological Ethics
- Do your duty by following the rules.
- Kant: Act as any rational agent is bound by universal law.
- Consequentialist Ethics
- Try to make the world a better place by producing good outcomes.
- Mill: Generate more pleasure and less pain for everyone.
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Applying ethical theories to everyday life is not easy, as we consider virtues, duties, and results:
- Virtue Ethics
- Strengths: Respect for people, moral education, continuing progress.
- Problems: No direct advice for specific situations, excuse for self-serving.
- Deontological Ethics
- Strengths: Simple application of rules, avoid personal responsibility.
- Problems: Rigidly strict, conflicting rules, sometimes bad consequences.
- Consequentialist Ethics
- Strengths: Flexibility in circumstances, outcomes publicly discernible.
- Problems: Hard to predict results accurately, especially over the long run.
Using all three is fine, but we need to think through how they cohere or diverge.
To deepen your understanding, you are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of the business community.
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As you think about applying ethical theory, consider addressing one of the following questions:
- Which of the three approaches to ethical theory makes the most sense, and why?
- When might Aristotle, Kant, and Mill disagree about how to handle a specific case?
- What theoretical approach are
Assessment Overview
You have now studied the three approaches to ethical theory (deontological, consequentialist, and virtue theory) as exemplified in the work of Immanuel Kant, John Stuart Mill, and Aristotle. Your assessment is to write an essay applying these three approaches to the following practical case:
You are called to consult in the critical care unit of your local hospital. The hospital admits JoEllen, 53, after she takes an overdose of prescription medications with alcohol. On admission, she says, “Not supposed to be here . . . ” and soon becomes uncommunicative. As her condition deteriorates rapidly, her son arrives with a notarized advance directive in which JoEllen specifically asks not to be placed on life support. What should you recommend to the attending health professionals?
Assessment Instructions
As you write your essay, consider how you would achieve the following:
- Explain the ethical issue in this scenario.
- Apply the three traditional theories of normative ethics to this situation.
- Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the three theories as they relate to this situation.
- Apply ethical theory to justify your stance on the right thing to do in this situation.
Your instructor may provide video feedback on your work, as well as complete the official scoring guide for the assessment.
Additional Requirements
- Written communication: Ensure written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message.
- APA formatting: Format resources and citations according to current APA style guidelines.
- Number of resources: Use your judgment to ensure your topic is thoroughly researched. There is no minimum number of resources required.
- Length of paper: Submit 2-3 typed, double-spaced pages.
- Font and font size: Use Arial, 12-point font.
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Applying Ethical Theory Scoring Guide
CRITERIA
NON-PERFORMANCE
BASIC
PROFICIENT
DISTINGUISHED
Explain the ethical issue in the scenario.
Does not explain the ethical issue in the scenario.
Describes the ethical issue in the scenario.
Explains the ethical issue in the scenario.
Analyzes the ethical issue in the scenario.
Apply the three traditional theories of normative ethics to the situation.
Does not apply the three traditional theories of normative ethics to the situation.
Applies traditional theories of normative ethics to the situation, with errors or omissions.
Applies the three traditional theories of normative ethics to the situation.
Analyzes the application of three traditional theories of normative ethics as they relate to this situation and uses supportive textual evidence.
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of each approach to ethical theory as they relate to this situation.
Does not describe the advantages and disadvantages of each approach to ethical theory.
Describes advantages or disadvantages of each approach to ethical theory, but not both.
Describes the advantages and disadvantages of each approach to ethical theory.
Analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of each approach to ethical theory.
Apply ethical theory to justify your ethical position on this issue.
Does not apply ethical theory to justify your ethical position on this issue.
Identifies an ethical position on this issue.
Applies ethical theory to justify your ethical position on this issue.
Justifies an ethical position on this issue, supported clearly by ethical theory.
Communicate in manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for professional communities.
Does not communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, or consistent with expectations for members of professional communities.
Communicates inconsistently in a manner of scholarly and professional expectations for members of professional communities.
Communicates in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of professional communities.
Communicates in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of professional communities, with written communication that is free of errors that detract from the overall message.
