week 1 case study .edited (2)

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Oct 30, 2023

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1 Cultural Relativism and Moral Action Sarah Wayne Chamberlain University ETHC-445N Professor Robinson 7/15/2023

2 Cultural Relativism and Moral Action We will examine religion's hold in the medical field and patient care for this dilemma. My friend Haleema is Muslim. At the same time, needing to be treated for a health problem in an immediate setting (Ic or Er). The first question is always, "Do you have a female doctor." This is due to the fact that Muslim women cannot be seen or treated by male doctors. “If the doctor of the same gender is able to cure the patient, then it is impermissible to refer to a doctor of the opposite sex ."When in an immediate situation, do we put that narrative aside? Now, I can admit that this sometimes is a thought in my head, but religion does not play a part. If a male doctor were the only way I could receive help, I would choose that. This also plays a part for the doctors as well. If a male doctor had a female patient and her religion said he could not help, would it be ethical for him to let her die? This is the same for male nurses. “For nurses, ethical dilemmas may occur when there is tension between a nurse’s ability to do what is perceived to be right in a given situation and the views of other healthcare providers” (McLennon et al., 2013). For a subjective moral relativist, there is no universal (same) right or wrong. Subjective moral relativism believes that the individual determines what is right and what is wrong (Rachels,2023). According to this viewpoint, morality is subjective and differs from person to person. They would say that her personal values and beliefs should be the basis of her decision. Relativism is the idea that all standards of truth, rationality, and ethical right and wrong vary significantly between cultures and historical epochs (Baghramian, 2001). Is religion something that is truly personal? When we are raised in our religion, it is not chosen. We can say the same with gender. Cultural relativism assumes that individuals should use their beliefs, culture, and values as criteria to judge others rather than understanding them from a cultural standpoint. Cultural

3 relativism, however, believes that what is right or wrong is dependent upon culture (Rachels & Rachels, 2023). For instance, under this approach, one could not reach treatment even if something harmful could happen. The approach allows for cohesion in the community but can be discriminatory to those that are different. It is essential to culturally understand others and consider all aspects before passing judgment. This dilemma calls for a decision based on the patient's needs. If the patient can wait to be seen by a same-sex health care provider, then this will be the step taken. If the patient cannot wait and its life-or-death situation, we need to aid in helping them understand that. We cannot force people to seek up. There is always an objective moral truth in every situation. Rachels states, "Moral truths are objective in the sense that they are true independently of what we might want or believe" (2019, p. 40). The right thing to do is for Haleema to receive male or female treatment.

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4 References Baghramian, M. (2001). Relativism: Philosophical aspects. International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences: 13012-13018. doi. https://doi.org/10.1016/B0-08- 043076-7/01019-6. Rachels, J. (2019). The Elements of Moral Philosophy (9th ed.). McGraw Hill Education. Rules Regarding Looking, Touching, and Examining. (2012, October 4). Al-Islam.org. https://www.al-islam.org/islamic-rulings-medical-issues-sayyid-ali-khamenei/rules- regarding-looking-touching-and-examining