ETHICS rua week 3

docx

School

Chamberlain University College of Nursing *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

445

Subject

Philosophy

Date

Apr 3, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by ProfessorNeutronApe32

1 Course Project: Abortion Valentina Nji ETHCS 445 Professor Theodore Styk Chamberlain University Sunday January 28 th , 2024

2 Moral Controversy: Abortion. The moral debate I will be discussing is abortion. Abortion is the termination of pregnancy medically or surgically. As we explore the topic regarding the morality of abortion, we will focus on evaluating two positions, that of an ethical egoist, and that of a social contract ethicist. Maintaining an unbiased thought while assessing these two philosophical practices as we try to understand their position. As medical technology continues to advance, safer patient practices of medical and surgical treatments improve for optimal patient care. Abortion is a simple health care intervention that can be effectively managed by a wide range of health workers using medication or a surgical procedure (2021). There are still many ethical dilemmas that surround abortion today. The CDC says there were 620,327 abortions nationally in 2020 in the District of Columbia and 47 states (Diamant, 2023). There are two main opinions when it comes to abortion, the first one being pro-life, which opposes abortion, and the second pro-choice, which advocates for women’s right for their body and their reproductive rights. Restrictive abortion regulation can cause distress and stigma, and risk constituting a violation of human rights of women and girls, including the right to privacy and the right to non-discrimination and equality (WHO, 2021). As we explore the views of an ethical egoist, we must understand their position and see it from their viewpoint. In our text Rachel notes that, an ethical egoist sees that only one fundamental principle exists, which is self-interest (Rachels, 2019). This means that the decisions people make are in their self-interest. Regardless of morality, individuals will perform a task that might seem moral or immoral, if it is withing their interest and needs. An ethical egoist will be all for abortion, allowing them access to an abortion, birth control and sexual health information. Just as men have the right to decide what to do with their bodies, women should have those equal

3 rights as well. Unfortunately, women are stigmatized and blamed in society due to their choice of self-interest when it involves a fetus growing inside them and what decision to make. Most decisions women take regarding abortion depends on herself, religion, financial security, and health of the woman and fetus. An ethical egoist would do what’s best for them regardless of wherever they are in the world and their religion. When it comes to pro-life supporters, no to abortion, it is said that as conception has taken place, human life has begun to form in the womb and that fetus deserves to live. With, pro- life considers abortions to be religiously and morally unacceptable for many reasons. An argument for pro-life would be that an embryo or fetus is considered a human life. Once conception takes place, it is the beginning of the arrival of that baby’s life and therefore that life should not be taken away or it would be considered as intentional harm. A pro-life individual believes in having nature take its native course. Individuals against abortion perceive this procedure as knowingly ending a life that is growing without giving it an opportunity at life, making it morally wrong. According to a social contract ethicist, the purpose of morality is to make social living possible; the purpose of government is to enforce vital moral rules (Rachels, 2019). In this case the social contract would be between mother and fetus, she must decide on her own on what is right and moral to fit in society. As Rachels describes it, this morality relies on the fact that people will accept rules and regulations if others are accepting it (2018). Social contract ethicist can be for abortion or against abortion due to its philosophical structure when rules and regulation dominates the ethicality of abortion. An example for both pro and against occurs when a society is reaching overpopulation, regulations can be put in place which an edict can be passed

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

4 on abortions as a moral action to prevent overpopulation. On the other hand, society’s approach on minimizing the mass extinction of the dying population, an order for abortions to prevent the global extinction of humanity will be put in place. Abortion tends to be a big controversial topic between nurses regarding their duties as a nurse and their personal beliefs and values. According to the code of ethics, the moral and ethical obligation of a nurse is to save and protect the lives of the people. The nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient, whether an individual, family, group, community, or population (Code of Ethics PDF, 2018). There are many cultural and religious nurses of different backgrounds with distinct morals and values. When it comes to abortions, a nurse may have the believe that the fetus is a human life and intentional harm should be avoided and let nature takes its course. On the other hand, another nurse belief everyone has their own self-interest. Regardless of the decision, a nurse must put aside their own morals, actions, judgment, and beliefs when caring for everyone. Even when the outcome can be different. In conclusion. Abortion will always be a controversial topic since it questions what the right decision is ethically to make in that circumstance. Both arguments allow us to view the situation and determine which decision would be best in that position. Some believe it is morally wrong to kill a fetus, stripping its opportunity to live. Others may argue that it is a woman’s body and choice to do to her body what she sees fit.

5 References Code of Ethics PDF. (2018, February 15). ANA. https://www.nursingworld.org/coe-view-only Diamant, J. (2023, January 11). What the data says about abortion in the U.S. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/01/11/what-the-data-says-about-abortion-in- the-u-s-2/ Rachels, S. (2019). The elements of moral philosophy (9th ed.). Mc-Graw Hill Education World Health Organization. (2021, November 25). Abortion . World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/abortion

ETHICS rua week 3

Related Documents