Ethics are moral values which dictate character or behavior of an individual or group. It defends, recommends and systemizes the concept of doing right or wrong doings. Presently philosophers group ethical theories into metaethics, normative and applied ethics.
The video demonstrates couples who faced a moral dilemma which they needed to solve together with the doctors on duty (The Daylen par. 1). The mother had given birth to premature twins. The pregnancy had been just twenty-six weeks. One of the boys had suffered hemorrhage in both brain hemispheres. He could not breathe and thus used artificial respiration. The doctors’ assessment was that even if he survived his chances of being handicapped were extremely high. The doctors and the two young parents were torn between saving the child and allowing him to die.
There are three main ethical theories which are consequentialism, duty-based and virtue theories (Hare 49). Consequentialism theories are dependent on the outcome of the action. In this theory, the moral thing is to do what yields the best results. Utilitarianism is the major form of the theory. The family, society, and community well-being are considered in these ethics. Incase they decide to save the child, the parents and also the brother will have to make many sacrifices to cater for his needs. The society will also have to allocate funds and resources which otherwise would have been given to others in that community who are also in need of them. Duty-based ethics is concerned with why the action was done and not its outcome (Thompson 34). Kantian ethics is a major form of the duty-based ethical theory. This theory only emphasizes on duty. Immanuel Kant is the founder of the Kantian theory; he argues about the interests of the child. The doctors and the parents of this young boy should make decisions on whether the child lives or dies considering his welfare. The virtue ethics emphasizes on the moral character of the doctors and the couple. It captures the humanitarian ethics of those involved in decision making.
The three ethical theories provide a base in which people can use when in such difficult dilemmas. The decisions they make has a long-time effect, and there are consequences involved. Thus, a person is required to make a choice he or she would accept. The virtue and Kantian ethics do not tell people what to do but give a basis to examine their conscience and defend the decisions they make. The utilitarian ethics provides a solution, but the moral version of the solution is unpleasant as if the decision they made is out of their selfish gain. Moral ethics helps people to solve their moral dilemmas and assure them that the decision they made was for the better good. If the couple decides that they should let the child live, then they should also be ready to live with the child as well as the sacrifices they are forced to make to give the child his best future. Incase the parents decide to let the child die; they should be able to live knowing that they gave the child, themselves, and the community a better chance. They should be ready to justify their actions.
Moral dilemma and moral ethics are important tools used when couples and doctors should determine whether a child lives or dies. It does not give answers but lays a foundation for their decisions.
Works Cited
The Daylen. "22 Moral Dilemas Can Ethics Help." YouTube. YouTube, 2012. Web. 10 Aug. 2016. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfJG9v8-hDA>.
Hare, Richard. "Medical Ethics: Can the Moral Philosopher Help?" Philosophy and Medicine Philosophical Medical Ethics: Its Nature and Significance (2009): 49-61. Web.
Thompson, Mel. Ethics. London: Hodder, 2006. Print.
