Case Study on Moral Status Essay

 Case Study on Moral Status Essay

Numerous ideas have been presented, but none have satisfactorily solved the question of human genesis. Regarding humans, scientific knowledge and investigation have expanded significantly. However, there are several elements of humans that science alone cannot explain. In areas where scientific explanations are lacking, theological and philosophical beliefs are provided to compensate for the lack of knowledge. Religions provide distinct explanations for the origin, values, and definition of humans. Both religion and science attribute moral status to humanity. According to Shepherd (2018), a person must be susceptible to damage or wrongdoing to have moral standing. A morally significant entity should not be insulted, mistreated, or treated arbitrarily. This article examines the supplied case study to assess the theories used to establish the moral status of the fetus and to investigate the Christian perspective on the nature of human beings. In addition, the study examines the theories utilized by the various portrayed characters to affect their suggestions.

The Christian Perspective on the Nature of Human Beings

According to the Christian faith, every person on earth was created in God’s image and likeness. The picture of humans finishes with the mystery of Christ, the ideal representation of God and the sole human and heavenly creature who reveals God to humans. The human being is one entity comprised of the mind, body, and soul. Christians should see their bodies with the same respect and esteem as God’s creation. Christians believe in both eternal life and resurrection. In addition, a person’s identity derives from their humanity, not their acts of freedom, independence, and consciousness. Moreover, all economic, social, and political activity should be for the benefit of the people.

The cognitive characteristics hypothesis is consistent with the Christian perspective of human nature. The cognitive characteristics hypothesis assumes that every individual possesses cognition. Perception, comprehension, awareness, cognitive capacity, and memory are essential components of cognition. According to the Christian perspective, humans are conscious of the now, the past, and the future. According to Stahl and Kilner’s (2019) cognitive characteristics hypothesis, humans have the freedom to act and engage in deliberate actions. Additionally, individuals can provide justifications for their actions. They are also capable of communication, unlike other species. This demonstrates that humans are superior to other things and have intrinsic dignity and value that must be respected (Stahl & Kilner, 2019). The hypothesis concludes that humans possess a high degree of will and reason.

Theories Used to Determine the Fetal Moral Status

In the case presented, Jessica employs the moral agency theory to determine if the fetus has moral standing. The capacity to make ethical judgments based on wrong and right is referred to as moral agency. Copeland (2021) notes that every moral agent that distinguishes between good and evil must be capable of rational thought and deliberation and liable for their actions’ consequences. Jessica is the mother and will endure the consequences of the inescapable choices. Therefore, she will choose to determine whether the fetus will have the right to live as a baby. Based on Jessica’s intrapersonal conflict, she holds the notion of moral agency. She is divided between the sanctity of life and her desires for a better socioeconomic standing and life autonomy. The moral agency incorporates the notions of moral competency of the individual in issue and situational restrictions that influence decision-making. Similar to Jessica, Marco employs the moral agency theory. His views indicate that their expected kid with a disability might considerably strain their finances.

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Maria holds the relationship theory. She demonstrates this by begging Jessica to retain the pregnancy and allowing God’s will and plan to triumph. Maria also suggests that Jessica consider her maternal obligations for the possible child. The notion of relationship in ethics is founded on the fundamental and trustworthy relationship one has with another person and is defined by mutual protection and trust as opposed to any abstraction (Matteson & Metivier, 2022). According to the argument, the fetus has moral standing, and abortion is morally reprehensible. Dr. Wilson strengthens the perspective on cognitive qualities. According to the theory, moral standing requires a degree of rationality and awareness (Stahl & Kilner, 2019). A fetus lacks rationality and consciousness and hence can be aborted. Dr. Wilson demonstrates the principle of cognitive qualities when he informs the family of all feasible solutions for the pregnancy.

Theories that Influence Recommendations

The principle of moral agency influences Marco to endorse Jessica’s final decision. The relationships theory influences Maria’s belief that abortion is wrong and encourages Jessica to carry the pregnancy to term. Dr. Wilson emphasizes the option of abortion using the notion of cognitive characteristics. This may be due to the physician’s scientific and medical understanding of the repercussions of carrying the pregnancy to term and living with congenital disabilities. This may be related to his scientific awareness of the significance of prenatal abnormalities and the ramifications of bringing the pregnancy to term.

The Theory I Support

In this case, the cognitive characteristics hypothesis is the most acceptable. It claims that for an entity to be accorded a moral standing, it must have volition, self-awareness, the capacity for intentional acts, thinking, and language. Beckwith and Thornton (2020). Based on the idea, I would advise Jessica to have an abortion for medical reasons. The fetus should not be granted moral dignity or status since it lacks all cognitive aptitude determinants and prerequisites.

Conclusion

According to Christians, humans are capable of making judgments and demonstrating comprehension in a variety of situations. The Christian perspective on humans is consistent with the cognitive properties theory, which assumes all humans possess cognition. The case study poses a problem on whether or not to terminate the pregnancy. Individual examples and analyses of various ethical decision-making theories should be used to determine the best appropriate ethical decision theory.

References

Beckwith, F., & Thornton, A. K. (2020, July). Moral status and the architects of principlism. In The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy: A Forum for Bioethics and Philosophy of Medicine (Vol. 45, No. 4-5, pp. 504-520). US: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmp/jhaa019

Copeland, D. (2019). Moral Ecology in Nursing: A Pluralistic Approach. SAGE Open Nursing, 5, 237796081983389. https://doi.org/10.1177/2377960819833899

Matteson, M., & Metivier, C. (2022). Morality from relationships. Philosophia.uncg.edu. https://philosophia.uncg.edu/phi361-matteson/module-2-what-is-ethics/morality-from-relationships/

Shepherd, J. (2018). Preliminaries. In www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Routledge. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK540409/

Stahl, D., & Kilner, J. (2019). The Image of God, Bioethics, and Persons with Profound Intellectual Disabilities. Journal of the Christian Institute on Disability, 6(1-2), 19-40.

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Assessment Description
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.

While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.