PHIL 434 Week 5 Scenario and Reflection Essay Template
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Week 5 Scenario and Reflection Essay
Kathlyn Moen
West Coast University
PHIL 434: Medical Ethics and Issues
Professor Crooks
November 27, 2023
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Week 5 Scenario and Reflection Essay
The Abortion Debate
The subject of abortion is being touched upon in this week's reflection. The heated debate
over abortion shows no signs of going away. Drs. Robin Meadows and Catherine Williams will be the debaters for the day. Even though abortion is a deeply personal decision, Dr. Williams maintains that a fetus lacks the same moral standing as an autonomous adult woman (Williams, n.d.). However, Dr. Meadows argues that a fetus is just as valuable as a live human (Meadows, n.d.). Feelings on Scenario
Any argument does not sway me after listening to the opposing viewpoints. Both presented strong ideas, leaving me in a difficult position. But I chose choice C, the most moral one because some people can’t have children even though I might choose life (WCU, n.d.). The most common reasons given by women for having an abortion are financial concerns (40%), lack
of readiness or planning (36%), issues with a partner (31%), and the need to prioritize other children (29%), according to my research (Stacey, 2021). As for me, I think these are valid arguments. A woman shouldn't be forced to keep carrying a kid if she knows she can't afford to care for it or provide the necessary support. Our ethical obligations lie with the mother regardless
of whether the fetus is a human being or not, as Dr. Williams pointed out (Williams, n.d.). Because this is a potentially difficult time for moms, it is our responsibility as healthcare providers to be there for them, and I agree with this remark. Also, I don't think most pregnant women want to terminate the pregnancy for no good reason other than that it is in their best advantage to do so.
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Concepts of Morality
In my opinion, virtue ethics is the branch of ethics that deals most directly with the topic of abortion. According to this school of thought, a person's moral character is paramount in all matters of morality (WCU, n.d.). It takes much courage to have an abortion, and there are various reasons why someone might choose to do so. It requires a lot of bravery and guts for a woman to get an abortion, no matter because she wants one. The thought of stopping a pregnancy and not being able to see your child grow up is heartbreaking, which is why I say this.
Plus, they're acting this way because they know they cannot provide the necessary care and affection to the child. Conversely, one may make the case that utilitarianism is relevant to the debate over abortion legalization. Women face social and financial challenges, fewer risks to their physical and mental health, and more occasional maternal mortality when abortions are permitted (WHO, 2021). These problems go away, and any woman who wants an abortion can to have a positive experience if it is allowed.
Conclusion
Although it's never easy, for some women, having an abortion is their only choice, so they may keep living without the emotional and physical toll of a new baby. It is wrong to force a woman to bear a child when she is unable to meet her own needs, even though I think fetuses should have the right to life. It is also unjust to bring a child into this world when they are at risk of being abandoned by their parents or placed in a foster home. There will always be people who
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are for and those who are against abortion, but in the end, a woman should have the freedom to decide for herself. References
Pence, G. (2021). Medical ethics: Accounts of ground-breaking cases
(9th ed.). McGraw Hill Education.
Tosh, N. (n.d.-a). Annual ethics symposium: Evolving ethics: Debating abortion
[Video]. Canvas@WCU. https://canvas.westcoastuniversity.edu/
Tosh, N. (n.d.-b). Week 5: The ethics of abortion - presentation
[Video]. Canvas@WCU. https://canvas.westcoastuniversity.edu/
Dawn Stacey, P. D. (2021, September 1). Why do women have abortions? Verywell Health. Retrieved December 5, 2021, from https://www.verywellhealth.com/reasons-for-
abortion906589
.
World Health Organization. (2021, November 25). Abortion. World Health Organization. Retrieved December 5, 2021, from https://www.who.int/news-room/factsheets/detail/abortion
.