Case Study on Moral Status
Grand Canyon University Case Study on Moral Status-Step-By-Step Guide
This guide will demonstrate how to complete the Grand Canyon University Case Study on Moral Status assignment based on general principles of academic writing. Here, we will show you the A, B, Cs of completing an academic paper, irrespective of the instructions. After guiding you through what to do, the guide will leave one or two sample essays at the end to highlight the various sections discussed below.
How to Research and Prepare for Case Study on Moral Status
Whether one passes or fails an academic assignment such as the Grand Canyon University Case Study on Moral Status depends on the preparation done beforehand. The first thing to do once you receive an assignment is to quickly skim through the requirements. Once that is done, start going through the instructions one by one to clearly understand what the instructor wants. The most important thing here is to understand the required format—whether it is APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.
After understanding the requirements of the paper, the next phase is to gather relevant materials. The first place to start the research process is the weekly resources. Go through the resources provided in the instructions to determine which ones fit the assignment. After reviewing the provided resources, use the university library to search for additional resources. After gathering sufficient and necessary resources, you are now ready to start drafting your paper.
How to Write the Introduction for Case Study on Moral Status
The introduction for the Grand Canyon University Case Study on Moral Status is where you tell the instructor what your paper will encompass. In three to four statements, highlight the important points that will form the basis of your paper. Here, you can include statistics to show the importance of the topic you will be discussing. At the end of the introduction, write a clear purpose statement outlining what exactly will be contained in the paper. This statement will start with “The purpose of this paper…” and then proceed to outline the various sections of the instructions.
How to Write the Body for Case Study on Moral Status
After the introduction, move into the main part of the Case Study on Moral Status assignment, which is the body. Given that the paper you will be writing is not experimental, the way you organize the headings and subheadings of your paper is critically important. In some cases, you might have to use more subheadings to properly organize the assignment. The organization will depend on the rubric provided. Carefully examine the rubric, as it will contain all the detailed requirements of the assignment. Sometimes, the rubric will have information that the normal instructions lack.
Another important factor to consider at this point is how to do citations. In-text citations are fundamental as they support the arguments and points you make in the paper. At this point, the resources gathered at the beginning will come in handy. Integrating the ideas of the authors with your own will ensure that you produce a comprehensive paper. Also, follow the given citation format. In most cases, APA 7 is the preferred format for nursing assignments.
How to Write the Conclusion for Case Study on Moral Status
After completing the main sections, write the conclusion of your paper. The conclusion is a summary of the main points you made in your paper. However, you need to rewrite the points and not simply copy and paste them. By restating the points from each subheading, you will provide a nuanced overview of the assignment to the reader.
How to Format the References List for Case Study on Moral Status
The very last part of your paper involves listing the sources used in your paper. These sources should be listed in alphabetical order and double-spaced. Additionally, use a hanging indent for each source that appears in this list. Lastly, only the sources cited within the body of the paper should appear here.
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Moral status of individuals entails the deployment of ethical principles in the consideration of the importance of living things and their value concerning their life and living. In evaluation of theories of moral status, theorists advance that life is equal irrespective of living things under consideration (Brown, 2018). However, others have a contrary approach and place hierarchies or consideration levels for moral standing. Beckwith and Thornton (2020) identify five unique perspectives on the moral status and each aspect entails certain elements that act as a measure to ascertain the moral status of any creature. These include cognitive elements, human characteristics, sentience, moral agency, and relationships. The purpose of this paper is to explore the Christian belief concerning the nature of human person and examine theories applicable to the case study to ascertain the moral status of the fetus.
Christian View on the Nature of Human Persons and Moral Theory It Aligns
Christians define human person as man and women created by God in His image. Christians believe that human person entails the body, soul, and mind. They advance that the spiritual soul makes the body which is created by matter to become a living entity. Further, human persons have intrinsic value since their body is the soul and God’s temple. Christians also advance that human life is sacred and starts at conception. Further, individual’s identity is considered as the result of being a person and instead their acts of consciousness, intelligence and freedom (Brown, 2018). The Christian view on the nature of human persons implies that human beings, right from conception, have full moral status by virtue of their creation based on God’s image without any considerations on other aspects like cognition status. The implication is that human beings, irrespective of their age and social status have moral abilities because of their inherent nature and creation.
The Christian perspective resonates more with the human properties theory which is a religious philosophical model. The model asserts that only human beings possess moral status among other living organisms. Imperatively, all creations, including animals and plants, exist to serve man’s interests and aspects. The theory asserts that human beings acquire this full moral status upon their conception in the womb where they become alive (Müller, 2020b). The implication is that both a fetus and a grown up human person share same moral status and cognitive functions. The Christian view asserts that human beings are self-awareness and understand time, the past, and even the future. Based on these cognitive properties and abilities, individuals have the freedom and capacity to participate in meaningful deeds. The theory is connected to the inherent human value and dignity as it illustrates that human beings are superior to all creatures and their dignity is intrinsic upon conception. Human life is sacred and enjoys full moral status from the beginning.
Theories Used by Jessica, Marco, Maria and Dr. Wilson in the Case
The case study entails a fetus who will be born with a deformity because it will lack limbs, and has a probability of having Down Syndrome. The implication is that there is a high possibility of the child having mental health challenges with cognitive deficiencies. Based on this situation, the individuals in the case study employ diverse theories to make their decisions and perspectives. Jessica and her aunt, Maria subscribe to the theory of human properties as a religious philosophical approach. Accordingly, they believe that the fetus has full moral status from its conception irrespective of its physical and mental deficiencies that it may have or develop at birth (Colgrove, 2019). For instance, Jessica, based on her religious background knows that life is sacred and a gift from God. She is conscious of the mental and physical challenges that the infant will have but believes that all life is a sacred gift from God. Jessica also uses the moral agency theory as she needs to make a determination on the status of the fetus despite its challenges. Aunt Maria is religious and cannot entertain any idea of terminating the pregnancy and the fetus. She advises Jessica to think about her relationship with the fetus as the mother and God as the giver of life (Blackshaw & Rodger, 2021). Despite the medical evidence, she encourages Jessica to keep the pregnancy and play her role as a “mother.”
Marco uses relationship theory and believes that Jessica is a moral agent who should make a decision without any coercion. Marcos asserts that he shall support Jessica based on any decision that she makes concerning the pregnancy. Marco considers the effects of having the child with all these challenges, especially their economic and social wellbeing (Milliken, 2018). However, he asserts that he shall accept any decision that Jessica makes regarding the status of the fetus. On his part, Dr. Wilson is a medical practitioner whose suggestions and recommendations are based on the scientific approaches or evidence. Dr. Wilson holds the cognitive properties theory which suggests that something or an individual attains moral status when they demonstrate a certain level of awareness and rationality. However, a fetus does not illustrate rationality or awareness and can be terminated based on this model. The physician exhibits this theory when he enlightens the family about every possible solution to the case and the benefits accrued from each decision.
Effects of Theories on their Recommendations
These theories influence the suggestions and perspectives of each individual in this case (Colgrove, 2019). For instance, the moral agency theory sways Marco’s decision to support Jessica while the relationship theory influences Maria’s approach to the issue of terminating the pregnancy. She asserts that it is wrong and focuses on persuading Jessica to keep the pregnancy irrespective of the risks involved. The theory of cognitive properties influences Dr. Wilson’s decisions and recommendations about the termination of the pregnancy (Müller, 2020). The use of this theory by the doctor is based on the scientific knowledge that he possesses about fetal abnormalities and the implications that it will bring to the family.
Theory I Align With
The human properties theory is the most agreeable of the theories used by the individuals as it asserts that moral status begins at conception. I agree with this theory because of my Christian worldview and as a health care provider whose first duty is to protect and preserve life, especially when such life does not endanger the health of the mother (Surovell, 2018). While I believe that moral status should be offered to people or things that have cognitive abilities, I disagree that the fetus should be terminated on that basis alone. It should be offered a chance to live and enjoy whatever freedom the infant will bring to the world. God has a purpose for giving Jessica and Marco the child with deformities and possible Down syndrome.
Conclusion
Christians assert that human persons can comprehend, possess and make decisions independently, even when still fetuses in their mothers’ wombs. Their view aligns with the human properties theory and a bit of cognitive theory’s aspects. All people have cognition based on their level of development. In this case study, the four persons use different ethical theories to affirm the moral status of the fetus. These theories also influence their decisions and recommendations concerning the fetus with deformity.
References
Beckwith, F., & Thornton, A. K. (2020, July). Moral status and the architects of principlism.
The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy: A Forum for Bioethics and Philosophy of Medicine, 45(4-5): 504-520). https://doi.org/10.1093/jmp/jhaa019
Blackshaw, B. P., & Rodger, D. (2021). Parental responsibilities and moral status. Journal of
Medical Ethics, 47(3), 187-188. DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2020-106173.
Brown, M. T. (2018). The moral status of the human embryo. The Journal of Medicine and
Philosophy: A Forum for Bioethics and Philosophy of Medicine, 43(2):132-158). https://doi.org/10.1093/jmp/jhx035
Colgrove, N. (2019). Subjects of ectogenesis: are ‘gestatelings’ fetuses, newborns or neither?
Journal of Medical Ethics, 45(11), 723-726. DOI: 10.1136/medethics-2019-105495.
Milliken, A. (2018). Refining moral agency: Insights from moral psychology and moral
philosophy. Nursing Philosophy, 19(1), e12185. https://doi.org/10.1111/nup.12185
Müller, S. (2020). Concepts and dimensions of human dignity in the Christian tradition.
Interdisciplinary Journal for Religion and Transformation in Contemporary Society, 6(1), 22-55. https://brill.com/view/journals/jrat/6/1/article-p22_3.xml
Müller, G. C. (2020b). The Christian understanding of the human person. Principles.
https://www.getprinciples.com/the-christian-understanding-of-the-human-person/
Surovell, J. (2018). But for the Grace of God: Abortion and Cognitive Disability, Luck and
Moral Status. Ethical Theory and Moral Practice, 20(2), 257–277. http://www.jstor.org/stable/44955509
In various aspects of life, human beings encounter hardships and challenging dilemmas. Often, we are required to make a decision about circumstances we face but the options we take, can either break or build our future (Doherty & Purtilo, 2015). Jessica and her husband Marco also faced a moral difficulty of the health status of their unborn child, and this necessitated a decision, but they faced a host of challenges. In this “Case Study: Fetal Abnormality,” Jessica, Marco, Maria, and Dr. Wilson are the interested persons for this moral situation. A conflict between religious perspective and the reality of the financial status of the couple result in a dilemma on an option to take in this situation. The present study delves into Christian perspectives on human life, a description of different theories of moral status and attempts to provide a decision based on a number of options for the couple.
Christian View about the Nature of Human Persons and the Theory of Moral Status
According to the Christian perspective, human beings are viewed as sacred creatures intrinsically modeled in the image of God. The religious view holds that human person ought to be preserved from conception through the entire life up to death. Besides, the Christian view illustrates that human society deserves to be renewed to sustain the Maker’s love due to the bondage of sin emancipated by Christ (Killmister, 2017). In contemporary society, Christian faith battles against physical and moral evils which contributes to the conditions pertaining to the dignity of human person. The foundations of human dignity are based on the rights to food, shelter, clothing the right to earn a living for the well-being of a family.
The moral status theory on human properties is compatible with the Christian view on the nature of the human person. According to the theory, human persons have full moral status since they are conceived by human parents and therefore have a human genetic code. Besides, the theory confers dignity to human person and that the latter have rights that ought to be valued.
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Theories used by the Four Individuals
In this case, Jessica, Marco, Maria, and Dr. Wilson have different opinions to guide decisions on the next cause of action. The response in action commences after the diagnosis made by Dr. Wilson. In proposing for abortion on medical grounds for the fetus, Dr. Wilson utilizes the theory of cognitive properties. The theory postulates that in order for a human person to have moral status, one needs to manifest a level of awareness and rationality and the fetus do not demonstrate either of these characteristics (Bernstein, 2015). In other words, the unborn child has no moral status to accept or reject abortion. Dr. Wilson also uses the theory of moral agency when he informs Jessica that the next cause of actions depends on her decision about the situation.
Jessica is trapped in the dilemma of financial independence and her belief on the value of life. She has a moral obligation and a perception that she is responsible for the well-being of the fetus. With this, Jessica utilizes the theory of moral agency, and therefore she has an option to keep the pregnancy if she considers life valuable as well as sacred (Kaczor, 2014). Likewise, Aunt Maria is opposed to the idea of the termination of the fetus. She believes that it was God’s intention for the status of the unborn child and that Jessica had an obligation to respect it (Kaczor, 2014). Based on this, Maria takes into account the divine command theory whereby God is considered as the sole creator and also the source of morality to human people. She also uses the theory of moral agency which states that an individual should not interfere with the rights of other people simply because they have a relationship with them (Killmister, 2017). This is consistent with an argument on the relationship between a parent and a child or fetus. Parents, for instance, need to protect and nurture but not to kill their child or terminate the life of their fetus.
On the other hand, Marco utilizes the moral agency theory when he reflected upon the status of the unborn child. He also takes into account the consciousness and sentience theory by focusing on the value of life as opposed to scientific or financial perspective (Bernstein, 2015). Marco reflects on the life he would lead with a Down’s syndrome child who also presents other disabilities related to deformed limbs.
How the Theories Influence their Recommendations for Action
The theory of cognitive properties is based on the evaluation of the quality of life outcome on the patient as predicted by Dr. Wilson. This may initiate the need for an abortion as Jessica and Marco may not be in a position to support the care of the child in his developmental stages after it is borne (Doherty & Purtilo, 2015). The moral agency and the divine command theories, on the other hand, compel Jessica to keep the child. The weight of the decision is against the termination of the fetus and Jessica is likely to keep the pregnancy.
The Chosen Theory and Conclusion
Based on the case presented, I choose the sentience theory since I believe that the fetus lacks the consciousness for pain or pleasure and perception or thought. My choice for the theory is also guided by an argument that the fetus has no sufficient capacity for a moral status. Based on this premise, I propose a recommendation for an abortion. This is because the fetus has developmental deformities which will be expensive for the poor parents to sustain if they want the child to have a quality life. Giving birth to a disabled child may also comprise the intimate relationship of the couple which might lead to a break-up.
Reference
Bernstein, M. H. (2015). The moral equality of humans and animals. New York: Springer.
Doherty, R. F., & Purtilo, R. B. (2015). Ethical Dimensions in the Health Professions-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Kaczor, C. (2014). The ethics of abortion: Women’s rights, human life, and the question of justice. Routledge.
Killmister, S. (2017). Dignity: personal, social, human. Philosophical Studies, 174(8), 2063-2082.