Introduction
Morality is a fundamental aspect of the humans that is expected to aid in the creation of an environment that is worthwhile for a living. The ability to distinguish right from wrong establishes the foundation needed for coexistence among individuals. The diverse cultures among people have contributed to the difference in character display mostly due to the existing values, beliefs, teachings and acquired knowledge. Considering that humans are social beings, the interaction between each other has influenced the eruptions of conflicts and challenging situations that require resolution (Aristotle & Henry-Lewes, 1890). In some instances, due to the differences in beliefs or existence of conditions that are not in line with the values of persons involved, the resolution to the situation creates a dilemma. It is in such situations that the application of a moral decision making is relevant. A moral decision is defined as the options made on the basis of the behavior, values, ethics, manners, and belief of the persons involved in the situation at hand (Rachels & Rachels, 2015). Situations that present difficulty in settling for a specific side primarily due to the lack of clarity on what is wrong or right enhancing the dilemma are most affected by what is defined as acceptable and that which isn’t. An example of moral situations that requires ethical decision making is highlighted below.
Hannah has been married for twenty-five years and the efforts to bear children have been in vain. Together with her husband, they have undergone numerous fertility tests which indicate that there is totally nothing wrong with them. Recently her husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer and the family in various ways is seeking medical attention. They need a lot of cash to finance the treatment which is booked abroad. Due to the stress, Hannah was one day found unconscious on the kitchen floor. On arrival to the emergency room in the nearby hospital, tests revealed that she was fourteen weeks pregnant. Furthermore, the physicians identify clots of blood on her inner garments which prompted them to make immediate exams on her pelvis and an ultrasound. Hannah was diagnosed with an incompetent cervix. On the other hand, she was carrying a set of twins whose weight was a great contributor to the opening of her cervix. The physicians analyzed her condition and determined that her age physical state was not in a position to hold the babies. They suggested an extremely expensive procedure that was only available in the UK after a conduction of a cervical cerclage to prevent a miscarriage. Together with the husband, they have longed to have children of their own despite their philanthropic nature of caring for abandoned ones. The sickness of the husband resulted to them straining financially and also their health insurance cannot cater for some sophisticated conditions. As a family, they were in a dilemma on who to treat using the cash they had raised from well-wishers. In case they opt for the husband, Hannah might lose the only children she could have ever had in her life. On the hand, her life is at risk. Her age and the morphological changes are clear indicators that her chances of getting pregnant again are slim (Callahan. 1995). The husband on the other side after undergoing radiation and surgery will not be in a position to impregnate Hannah, hence the dead end of trying to have children (Brabeck, 2000). In case they chose to treat Hannah first, her husband is at risk of succumbing to the spread of cancer to other areas of the body.
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From the situation, the theory of applying normative decision making is affected by three parties which are the physicians, the husband, and the wife. They all have different perspectives and desired outcome regardless of the sentimental connection. Ethically, it is the responsibility of any physician to save the lives of patients brought to them hence most of their decisions are dictated by duties or obligations bestowed to them. The medical practitioners can possibly settle to protect the lives of the unborn children and their mothers hence the application of the normative theory referred to as deontological ethics. The most possible end result that both couples would desire is the ability for Hannah to have the children and healing for both of them. On the contrary, it is also possible for each of them to consider the health of the other than their own hence sacrificing purposely to ensure that their roles as spouses in caring for the other are catered for. The end desire for both spouses is elaborated further by the teleological ethics that focuses more on the end result of the situation at hand.
In consideration of the virtue ethics, most of the religious and government policy are against abortion (Babcock, 1988). Hence the physician’s attempts to save Hannah’s life by terminating the pregnancy are considered unethical. Moreover, it is Hannah’s long wait would be diminished in thin air in case doctors choose to terminate the pregnancy or if the family decides to meet the health requirements of her husband first. On the other hand, ethically doctors are expected to attend to patients and save lives but the lack of finances that some experience deters them from acquiring sufficient healthcare. Denying a patient care because of their lack of finances can be considered as unethical considering that physicians vow to save lives during their occupation.
Despite the existence of dilemma in this situation, a critical decision has to be made purposely to settle the issue. Whichever form of normative theory shall be used in implementing a decision, there will be an advantage and disadvantage to it (May, 2010). For instance, while virtue ethics encourages individuals to focus on morality and self-improvement, it deters people from knowing the true intentions of either party. In addition, the virtues are involved are not definitive since they keep changing with time, environment, values, cultures and beliefs among others. As for deontology, decisions are made on the foundation of obligations to the assigned roles and hence provide the ease to follow rules (Stephens, 2007). Moreover, an efficiently done duty is morally worthy of praise which boosts motivation to efficiently accomplish a task rather than considering the consequences. On the contrary, deontology highly promotes moral fanaticism where it is deteriorated mainly because of the need to highly performing one’s duties.
In Hannah’s case, the application of virtue ethics would be appropriate because the lives of the couple and their unborn children are more fundamental than the required finances. Yes, physicians need to be appreciated through good pay, but not at the cost of patient’s lives. It is easier for a healthy family to accumulate finances compared to a sick or dead one. Therefore, while both conditions require treatment abroad, the physicians available can save the lives of the family members by using each of their skills and resources available in the facility and the finances need can be considered later (Epictetus, 1996).
Conclusion
Decision making in situations that present a dilemma can be extremely hectic considering that various crucial aspects have to be put in consideration for the benefit of parties involved. On the other hand, the various elements those influence ways in which people behave or the preferences they would settle for. Moral decision making, differ from people of one community to the other primarily due to their varied choices or influence of their practices. The choices made in moral decision making are highly dependent on the situation and the people involved. For instance, most situations in a workplace may be settled using the approach of deontological ethics because of the focus on delivering according to the set rules. Problems faced by families are most likely to make use of the approach of virtue with the combination of teleological ethics.
References
Rachels, J., & Rachels, S. (2015). The elements of moral philosophy (8th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Aristotle, & Henry-Lewes, G. (1890). The ethics of Aristotle: With introductory essay by George Henry Lewes (the Nicomachean ethics) (D. P. Chase, Trans.). London, GBR: Walter Scott Publishing Company.
Brabeck, M. M. (Ed.). (2000). Practicing feminist ethics in psychology. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
May, H. (2010). Aristotle's ethics. London, GBR: Continuum International.
Stephens, W. O. (2007). Stoic ethics. London, GBR: Continuum International.
Epictetus. (1996). The enchiridion, or manual (J. Fieser, Ed., & E. Carter, Trans.). South Bend, IN:Infoomotions, Inc.
Babcock, W. S. (1988). Focus on Augustine's ethics: Introduction. Journal of Religious Ethics, 16(1), 3–9.
Callahan, J. C. (1995). Reproduction, ethics and the law: Feminist perspectives. Bloomington, IN:Indiana University Press.
