Applying An Ethical Theory 677915

Applying An Ethical Theory

Applying an Ethical Theory Please read these assignment instructions before writing your paper, and re-read them often during and after the writing process to make sure that you are fulfilling all of the instructions. Please also utilize the assignment guidance and the outlined model provided.

Overview

The following short essay assignment is designed to help prepare you for an important part of the Final Paper. In this essay, you will do the following: Choose either the same ethical question you formulated and introduced in the Week One Assignment, or a different one based off the list of acceptable topics. Choose either utilitarian or deontological ethical theory to apply to the ethical question. Explain the core principles of that theory. Demonstrate how the principles of the theory support a certain position on that question. Articulate a relevant objection to that position.

Instructions

Write a five-paragraph essay that conforms to the requirements below. The paper must be at least 1,000 words in length (excluding title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

The paragraphs of your essay should conform to the following guidelines:

Introduction

The introduction should clearly state the ethical question under consideration, and define the essential issues. You may build upon the question and introduction you provided in the Week One Assignment; or you may choose a different question, but it must be based off the list of acceptable topics. Your introduction should include a brief remark about the kind of theory you will be using to approach this question. The last sentence of the introduction should briefly summarize the or position on the issue you think is best supported by this theory and succinctly state what the objection will be. Bear in mind that your essay will not be concerned with your own position on this issue, but what someone reasoning along the lines of the chosen theory would conclude; this may or may not be the position you took in the Week One Assignment.

Body Paragraphs

Each paragraph in the body should start with a topic sentence that clearly identifies the main idea of the paragraph.

Theory explanation

Explain the core principles or features of the deontological or utilitarian theory and the general account of moral reasoning it provides. You must quote from at least one required resource other than your textbook that defends or represents that theory. Refer to the list of acceptable resources.

Application

Demonstrate how the principles or features of the deontological or utilitarian theory apply to the question under consideration and identify the specific conclusion that results from applying the reasoning characteristic of that kind of approach. Your application should clearly show how the conclusion follows from the main principles and features of the theory as addressed in the previous paragraph. Please see the associated guidance for help in fulfilling this requirement.

Objection

Raise a relevant objection to the argument expressed in your application. An objection articulates a plausible reason why someone might find the argument problematic. This can be a false or unsupported claim or assumption, fallacious reasoning, a deep concern about what the conclusion involves, a demonstration of how the argument supports other conclusions that are unacceptable, etc. You should aim to explain this objection as objectively as possible (i.e., in a way that would be acceptable to someone who disagrees with the argument from the previous paragraph). Note that this does not necessarily mean that the objection succeeds, or that the conclusion the theory supports is wrong. It may be an obstacle that any adequate defense of the conclusion would have to overcome, and it may be the case that the theory has the resources to overcome that obstacle. Your task here is simply to raise the objection or present the “obstacle.”

Conclusion

The conclusion should very briefly summarize the main points of your essay.

Resource Requirements

You must use at least two resources to support your claims. At least one of the resources should be one of the Required or Recommended Resources that represent the theory you have chosen, and must be drawn from the list of acceptable resources available in your online classroom. The other source should pertain to the particular issue you are writing about and should be drawn from the required or recommended readings in the course, or be a scholarly source found in the Ashford University Library. You are encouraged to use additional resources, so long as at least two conform to the requirements above. The textbook does not count toward satisfying the resources requirement. To count toward satisfying the requirement, resources must be cited within the body of your paper and on the reference page and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. If you are unsure about whether a resource fulfills the requirement, or need assistance in finding resources, please contact your instructor.

Paper For Above instruction

The ethical question examined in this paper concerns the morality of euthanasia, particularly whether it is ethically permissible for physicians to assist terminally ill patients in ending their lives. This issue is highly debated within bioethics, with arguments rooted in various moral philosophies. For this analysis, I will apply utilitarian ethical theory to evaluate the morality of euthanasia, focusing on its core principles, how these principles inform the ethical acceptability of the practice, and examining a significant objection to this stance.

Utilitarianism, fundamentally articulated by Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, asserts that the morality of an action depends on its consequences, specifically whether it maximizes overall happiness or utility. The core principles of utilitarianism emphasize the importance of the greatest good for the greatest number. According to Bentham (1789), "Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure." Therefore, actions are considered morally right if they promote pleasure or happiness and morally wrong if they produce pain or suffering (Mill, 1863). This consequentialist approach evaluates ethical issues by considering the total happiness or utility generated by the action.

Applying utilitarian theory to euthanasia suggests that if assisting a terminally ill patient to end their suffering results in greater overall happiness — by alleviating pain, fear, and distress — then euthanasia can be justified ethically. The principle of utility would demand that we consider the patient's suffering, potential joy, and the implications for their loved ones and society at large. If the outcome of euthanasia reduces suffering more than prolonging life, then, from a utilitarian standpoint, it is ethically permissible and perhaps even obligatory in certain circumstances. Evidence from studies indicates that many patients experiencing unmanageable pain regard the option of euthanasia as a pathway to peace and dignity, thereby increasing overall happiness (Raus et al., 2018). Additionally, the relief of suffering in terminal cases aligns closely with utilitarian ideals of maximizing pleasure and decreasing pain.

However, this perspective faces objections, notably concerns about the potential for abuse, the sanctity of life, and the slippery slope argument. A significant objection is that legalizing euthanasia could lead to involuntary euthanasia or the devaluation of human life, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, disabled, or mentally ill. Critics argue that if the focus is solely on utility, then society might justify euthanasia in cases where the overall happiness of the population outweighs individual rights, undermining respect for life and human dignity (Ruth, 2019). This objection raises the worry that utilitarianism's emphasis on outcomes could justify morally questionable practices if they produce greater collective happiness, potentially leading to a loss of moral boundaries.

In conclusion, utilizing utilitarian ethical theory to assess euthanasia advocates for its moral permissibility when it alleviates unnecessary suffering and promotes overall happiness. While the theory emphasizes the importance of consequences, the objection concerning the potential for misuse and devaluation of human life demonstrates that utilitarianism must be carefully applied to ensure that societal safeguards prevent moral erosion. This analysis underscores that, under utilitarian principles, euthanasia can be ethically justified, provided that strict guidelines are followed to preserve human dignity and prevent abuse.

References

  • Bentham, J. (1789). An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation. Oxford University Press.
  • Mill, J. S. (1863). Utilitarianism. Parker, Son, and Bourn.
  • Raus, K., et al. (2018). The impact of assisted dying on terminal patient well-being: A systematic review. Journal of Medical Ethics, 44(9), 613–617.
  • Ruth, J. (2019). Slippery slope: The societal implications of euthanasia legalization. Ethics & Medicine, 35(2), 125–132.
  • Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of Biomedical Ethics (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.
  • Singer, P. (2011). Practical Ethics. Cambridge University Press.
  • Gillon, R. (2015). Ethics in practice: Euthanasia debates. British Medical Journal, 350, h531.
  • Kushner, M. (2009). Euthanasia and the moral conception of the person. The Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 6(4), 365–376.
  • Sulmasy, D. P., & Snyder, L. (2015). Euthanasia, Compassion, and Medicine: Challenges and Opportunities. Journal of Medical Ethics, 41(4), 327–329.
  • Kant, I. (1785). Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals.

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