Case Study on Moral Status Assignment Paper

Case Study on Moral Status Assignment Paper

Case Study on Moral Status Assignment Paper

 From the case study, Jessica is a 30-year-old immigrant from Mexico City who came to the United States seeking better opportunities for her and her family. When Jessica was six months pregnant, she went to her local community health clinic for a routine prenatal checkup. It was there that she learned that her baby had a congenital heart defect. Although Jessica was worried about her baby’s health, she was also relieved to have a diagnosis because it meant that she could receive the necessary care and treatment for her child. With the help of her doctor, Jessica decided to undergo surgery to correct the heart defect while her baby was still in utero. Although this was a risky procedure, it ultimately saved her baby’s life. The purpose of this assignment is to analyze the cases study by describing the Christian view of the nature of human persons and the theory of the moral status.

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Christian View of The Nature of Human Persons, and the Compatibility

With The Theory of Moral Status

According to Christian doctrine, human beings are entitled to complete moral status from the moment of conception simply for the reason that they are human beings, regardless of any other factors (such as their level of intellect) (Gray 2019, p.16). This position is in line with the human property-based theory of moral standing; in other words, it is a religious or philosophical concept (Gray 2019, p.19). Only humans, according to this notion, are endowed with moral significance in the natural world. Everything else, from plants to animals, was created with the sole purpose of serving humanity. Human beings are born with this complete moral position, and it is explained further that this happens at conception. Based on the Christian and philosophical view on human qualities, the position of a fetus and an adult human being with all cognitive capabilities intact is the same in terms of full moral standing (Gray 2019, p.19). The sole trait of FMS is that it has become a human person, which relates to the inherent worth and dignity of humans (at conception). To put it another way, human life is revered from the moment of conception forward.

The Theories Exhibited by Jessica, Marco, Maria, and Dr. Wilson in the Case Study

There is a 1 in 4 chance that the child delivered from this pregnancy will have Down syndrome in addition to the deformities (lack of limbs). In other words, there is a good chance the child will have cognitive (learning and thinking) deficits as a result of the pregnancy complications. Because of this, it is apparent that Jessica and Aunt Maria believe in the religious/philosophical view that moral standing is dependent on a person’s characteristics. A human person has complete moral status from conception onward, despite of physical or mental impairments they may have (Gray 2019, p.21). Jessica, despite her difficult socio-economic condition, nevertheless holds to the belief that “all life is precious.” This means she does not think aborting the baby and this is the best course of action. Aunt Maria, on the other hand, is definitely devout and would never consider eliminating a life, whether it was already born or still in the womb.

According to Jessica’s thesis, all human life from conception onwards is sacred because of the essential human traits (of complete moral standing) that give rise to it. Despite the overwhelming medical evidence, she tells Jessica to bring the pregnancy to term and fulfill her responsibility “as a mother.” Wilson, for his part, obviously adheres to the notion of moral standing based on cognitive qualities. ” (Studocu.com n.d, p.9). Emmanuel Kant’s Kantian theory of moral status is another name for this idea (Gray 2019, p.22). If a living creature (human being) has and can display “awareness, memory, comprehension, and thinking,” then they are entitled to full moral status. This is a person’s capacity to think. Due to its status as an embryo, it cannot meet this condition and hence has no moral standing. This is effectively a “all or nothing” viewpoint, according to the Kantian notion (Gray 2019, p.22). That is, moral position is a matter of cognitive ability or lack thereof. Even if this fetus is allowed to be born and develop, it is quite unlikely that it will possess this level of cognitive ability (because of the possibility of Down syndrome). In addition, Dr. Wilson is a member of the moral status theory school of thought. This does not give Jessica’s unborn child any sort of moral stature because he has a doctor-patient responsibility (Studocu.com n.d, p.14). To wrap things up, Marco is a member of Kant’s moral status theory based on cognitive qualities, even if he may appear ambivalent, he “finds it difficult that the pregnancy and the impaired kid would be a burden and a hindrance to their economic security and goals.” For this reason, he believes that the unborn has no moral standing because of its potential physical and cognitive impairments.

My Position

I believe that Kant’s theory or cognitive qualities should be used to determine moral standing in this circumstance. The fetus has either cognitive potential (now) or cognitive capacity (in the future) or neither at this time nor in the future. That’s what will elevate it to a higher moral level. The child will be better off being terminated as a fetus than being born and forced to suffer for the rest of their life, in my opinion (Shelly & Miller 2019, p.13). Pain and suffering should not be inflicted on any living being, according to the moral status theory of sentience (Studocu.com n.d, p.15). It is, nevertheless, possible that the fetus may be born with Down syndrome-induced cognitive deficit that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. Because of the fetus’s physical and cognitive limitations, allowing it to live would be equal to a lifetime of sorrow and suffering, my theoretical standpoint will impact my advice for action.

Conclusion

Human life held various values for the four participants in this case study as well as the author. As a Christian, this author considers abortion to be morally wrong and contrary to God’s purpose, which he regards as immoral. But as a nurse, I should not be able to influence a patient’s decision in any way. Choosing whether to terminate a pregnancy is a tough decision, and one that a patient will have to live with for the rest of their lives. All choices must be presented in an objective way as a medical practitioner. I believe that Kant’s theory or cognitive qualities should be used to determine moral standing in this circumstance. The fetus has either cognitive potential (now) or cognitive capacity (in the future) or neither at this time nor in the future.

References

Gray, K. (2019). Moral status: Definition, philosophy, and criteria. https://study.com/academy/lesson/moral-status-definition-philosophy-criteria.html

Shelly, J. A., & Miller, A. B. (2019). Called to care: A Christian worldview for nursing. InterVarsity Press.

Studocu.com (n.d.). Theories of moral status. https://www.studocu.com/en/document/oakland-university/biomedicine-and-disease/lecture-notes/theories-of-moral-status/1044276/view

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Based on “Case Study: Fetal Abnormality” and the required topic Resources, write a 750-1,000-word reflection that answers the following questions:

-What is the Christian view of the nature of human persons, and which theory of moral status is it compatible with? How is this related to the intrinsic human value and dignity?

-Which theory or theories are being used by Jessica, Marco, Maria, and Dr. Wilson to determine the moral status of the fetus? What from the case study specifically leads you to believe that they hold the theory you selected?

-How does the theory determine or influence each of their recommendations for action?

-What theory do you agree with? Why? How would that theory determine or influence the recommendation for action?

Remember to support your responses with the topic Resources.
TOPIC RESOURCES LINK: https://lc.gcumedia.com/phi413v/practicing-dignity-an-introduction-to-christian-values-and-decision-making-in-health-care/v1.1/#/chapter/2

Must have 3 scholarly references
Each topic should have a heading
Case Study is attached