Organ Donation
Assignment 1 – (Case Study 2.3) Application on Normative Ethical Theories
Is organ donation to a family member a moral obligation? Is it possible to love ones child well, yet dent them the very organ that one is physically capable of giving them? True love often requires sacrifice on behalf of those one loves; it requires acts of self-giving for the greater good of the other. But this form of self-giving seems different in kind. However much we might praise those who give their organs to a beloved family member, can we condemn those who elect not to give, without first trying to understand their reluctance? In short, no, to condemn one who chooses not to donate an organ to a beloved family member would seem both unethical and unreasonable.
Application of Virtue Ethics
In order to accurately depict, what one ought to do in such a circumstance, we will first explore virtue ethics, specifically the four principles. Respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-malfeasance and justice. Using these four principles of virtue ethics allows for a common, basic rational analysis and structure even though they do not provide us with ordered “rules”, they will aide in making decisions as they relate to moral issues. The four principles approach will not provide a method for choosing, what it can provide however is a common set of moral commitments, a common moral language, and a common set of moral issues. One should consider all four of these principles before coming to our own answer using our preferred moral theory to choose between these principles when they conflict. If we begin with examining respect for autonomy, the moral obligation to respect the self rule of others in so far as such respect if compatible with equal respect for the autonomy of all those potentially affected. We can begin to understand that respecting this father’s autonomy has many potential implications. In that he specifically requested that one not indicate to his wife or other
Is organ donation to a family member a moral obligation? Is it possible to love ones child well, yet dent them the very organ that one is physically capable of giving them? True love often requires sacrifice on behalf of those one loves; it requires acts of self-giving for the greater good of the other. But this form of self-giving seems different in kind. However much we might praise those who give their organs to a beloved family member, can we condemn those who elect not to give, without first trying to understand their reluctance? In short, no, to condemn one who chooses not to donate an organ to a beloved family member would seem both unethical and unreasonable.
Application of Virtue Ethics
In order to accurately depict, what one ought to do in such a circumstance, we will first explore virtue ethics, specifically the four principles. Respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-malfeasance and justice. Using these four principles of virtue ethics allows for a common, basic rational analysis and structure even though they do not provide us with ordered “rules”, they will aide in making decisions as they relate to moral issues. The four principles approach will not provide a method for choosing, what it can provide however is a common set of moral commitments, a common moral language, and a common set of moral issues. One should consider all four of these principles before coming to our own answer using our preferred moral theory to choose between these principles when they conflict. If we begin with examining respect for autonomy, the moral obligation to respect the self rule of others in so far as such respect if compatible with equal respect for the autonomy of all those potentially affected. We can begin to understand that respecting this father’s autonomy has many potential implications. In that he specifically requested that one not indicate to his wife or other