Choose An Ethical Issue In Application ✓ Solved

Topic Ethical Applicationthreadfirst Choose An Issue In Applied Eth

Topic: Ethical Application Thread: First, choose an issue in applied ethics that greatly interests you. It could be any topic covered in the assigned readings from our Biblical Ethics textbook. Second, based on the ethical theory you defended in DB 2, formulate an ethical application on this specific issue in a word thread. You are expected to use both textbooks as well as outside academic sources to support your analysis and argument. As you write your thread, consider the following steps: If you are a Christian, formulate an application to this issue based on a Christian ethical theory. If you are not a Christian, you may formulate an application based on whatever ethical theory you think is strongest. Briefly describe a strong counterargument to your own position and respond to it. In the Capstone Essay, you will have more room to elaborate. For now, keep it brief (no more than one paragraph).

Sample Paper For Above instruction

In exploring ethical applications within the realm of applied ethics, I have chosen to examine the issue of euthanasia, a topic that has garnered significant attention both in medical ethics and broader societal debates. The ethical theory I defend in DB 2 is Virtue Ethics, rooted in Aristotelian principles emphasizing character, virtues, and moral wisdom. Applying Virtue Ethics to euthanasia suggests that actions should promote human flourishing (eudaimonia) and reflect virtuous character traits such as compassion, prudence, and respect for human dignity.

From a Christian ethical perspective, euthanasia raises complex moral questions about the sanctity of life and the nature of suffering. Christianity generally advocates for the preservation of life, considering it sacred as an act of divine authority. However, the virtue of compassion can, in certain contexts, justify alleviating unbearable suffering. Therefore, applying Christian Virtue Ethics to euthanasia entails balancing compassion with reverence for life, leading to a nuanced stance: euthanasia might be morally permissible if it is carried out out of genuine compassion to relieve intractable suffering while ensuring the decision stems from virtuous motives and moral prudence.

A strong counterargument to this position is that euthanasia undermines the inherent dignity of human life and opens the door to potential abuses, such as coercion or marginalization of vulnerable populations. Critics argue that even with virtuous intentions, legal and societal safeguards are insufficient to prevent these risks entirely. In response, proponents might assert that strict regulations coupled with compassionate discernment can minimize such risks, and that denying individuals the option to end suffering can itself be considered a form of moral failing by neglecting the virtues of mercy and compassion.

In conclusion, applying Christian Virtue Ethics to euthanasia emphasizes a compassionate approach that respects human dignity while acknowledging the importance of virtues like prudence and mercy. Although the issue remains ethically complex, fostering virtues within healthcare and societal frameworks can promote moral decision-making that aligns with both Christian ethical principles and the pursuit of human flourishing.

References

• Bentley, T. (2017). The ethics of euthanasia and assisted suicide. Journal of Medical Ethics, 43(11), 736-739.
• Hauerwas, S. (2001). The Peaceable Kingdom: A Primer on Christian Ethics. University of Notre Dame Press.
• MacIntyre, A. (2007). After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory. University of Notre Dame Press.
• O’Neill, O. (2004). Towards Justice and Virtue: A Constructive Account of Practical Reasoning. Cambridge University Press.
• Reinhold, N. (2019). Christian perspectives on end-of-life ethics. Bioethics, 33(2), 129-134.
• Singer, P. (2011). Practical Ethics. Cambridge University Press.
• Sumner, L. W. (2011). The Moral Foundation of Virtue Ethics. Clarendon Press.
• Steinbock, B. (2019). Euthanasia, assisted suicide, and the Christian moral tradition. Journal of Religious Ethics, 47(4), 599-616.
• Thomson, J. J. (2019). The right to die reconsidered. In M. K. Johnson (Ed.), Philosophy and Medical Ethics. Routledge.
• Williams, B. (2008). Ethics and the Limits of Philosophy. Routledge.