ethics 3rd Case study
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Western Sydney University *
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Course
101915
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
Pages
4
Uploaded by GeneralRookMaster443
Introduction
This is the case study of 15-year-old, Angela, who is currently living with her parents and her younger sister. During her period of early teen, she was diagnosed with Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. However, over time, her family has become concerned for Angela’s safety and her younger sister’s safety as she is becoming very violent and engaging in risky behaviours. These risky behaviours involve going missing for several days, as well as drug use. Her family has been unable to support her needs and manage her daily activities which include challenged behaviour. Their main concern is about the safety of her younger sister in her own home. So, to address this concern, they looked out for an alternative for her which they decided to put in out-of-home care, however, the only accommodation for her home care is a three-hour journey. As she had lived under the sight of family before moving to home care can cause various distress to her as home care will be a new environment. This case study will be compared with the two major ethical theories this theory looks into the problems and potential measures of remedies. Rule Utilitarianism and universal egoism theory are two major theories that will be used in this case study. Rule utilitarianism is a form of utilitarianism that asserts that an action is right if it conforms to a rule that leads to the greatest good, or if “the rightness or wrongness of a particular action is a function of the correctness of the rule of which it is an instance” (Savulescu et al., 2020). ethical egoism is the normative position that moral agents ought to act in their own self-interest. Ethical egoism contrasts with ethical altruism, which holds that moral agents have an obligation to help others (Österberg, 1988). Having a comparison of these two theories will give a clear understanding of the various difficulties. These theories will outline the appropriate course of action for me as a support worker to take in order to solve the problem and give the clients the best outcome.
The Dilemma:
One of the major dilemmas in this case study is whether to move Anjila from her home to the new environment which is home care for her and her family's needs and supports. Moving her to the new places may cause uncomfortable for her bringing distress and harm to her. Another dilemma is that my personal ethical dilemma which is not to interfere with their personal life. Over time Angela and I have formed a bond. Making these changes might affect her trust and confidence in me. Even though I previously stated that my role as Angela's support worker does not involve getting involved in family dynamics it is clear that ensuring the safety of Angela's sister is crucial. However, I believe that moving Angela from her home environment could help her achieve the independence she desires with the support she will receive. These adjustments will not benefit Angela but her family and most importantly ensure the safety of her younger sister. Here as a support worker, I don’t have the authority to determine if Anjila needs to move out from her home-to-home care. However, as a support worker, it's my responsibility to take care of her needs and ensure safety for her. She may be involved in various unhealthy behaviours and can harm herself whether with her family or in a new home environment when we force her to move out from her current residence. Rule utilitarianism determines the rightness of an act by a different method. First, the best rule of conduct is found. This is done by finding the value of the consequences of following a particular rule. Rule utilitarianism is a form of utilitarianism that says an action is right as it conforms to a rule that leads to the greatest good, or that "the best rule of conduct is found by calculating the utility to be produced by adopting a course of action (rule) which would produce the greatest utility in the long run (Nathanson, 2023). The theory of ethical egoism focuses on everyone having their
own level of freedom in their life (Sus (MA) & Drew (PhD), 2023). Here in this case Angela wants to have her own level of freedom in her life and live more independently and live as a normal teenager.
Application of Rule of Utilitarianism
That's what ethical theory suggests with rule utilitarianism. One advantage it has, over act utilitarianism, is its ability to fully acknowledge the social implications of rights and obligations. It's important to note that if society focused solely on maximizing benefits through each action those rights and obligations would disappear (Harrod, 1936). On the other hand, rule utilitarianism follows a moral philosophy that is not tied to maximizing social benefits on an action-by-action basis allowing for a full recognition of the moral legitimacy of these rights and obligations (Harsanyi, 1977). As a support worker, I assist Angela in accessing the community and participating in activities such as shopping, cleaning, attending appointments, and helping her develop new skills, like independent living, effective communication, and social interactions. This requires me to navigate situations without making decisions that would provoke Angela or escalate any aggression. By applying the principles of Rule Utilitarianism philosophy in my approach I can effectively fulfill my responsibilities. Angela's argument suggests that she should have the freedom to choose where she feels most at ease considering that she also has the opportunity to prioritize her happiness. It is important for us to acknowledge and embrace the social outcomes that come with an individual's rights.
Application of Universal Ethical Egoism
The term "Universal Ethical Egoism" refers to the belief that it's morally acceptable to prioritize one's interests. The stronger version of this belief asserts that it is always moral to advance one's interests and never moral to neglect them (Medlin, 1957). By embracing egoism individuals prioritize their needs. It is reasonable to argue that pursuing interests can sometimes clash with the interests of others leading to neglect of the greater (Moseley, 2021). When Angela decided she wanted independence and a "normal" adolescence she took the initiative. Acted in her best interests. If Angela were to distance herself from her family, she wouldn't want stress. Would prefer what benefits her rather than something that upsets her. As a support worker, I encourage Angela to consider options other, than having her family relocate her in order for her to find a solution that serves her interests.
I'm looking for a way to keep Angela in the household and find a solution where someone, like me can be a support worker to have conversations with her. The aim is to make her feel independent and experience the things she wants as a teenager like going on adventures. I would also provide guidance regarding drug paraphernalia advising her about the dangers and effects. Moreover, I want to assure Angela of her sister's concerns. There shouldn't be any conflict between them. By giving Angela the freedom to make her choices while offering guidance we can ensure she has her interests as well. Research conducted by Paxman et al. (2014) suggests that being in out-of-home care can enhance Angela well well-being since she is 15 years old. However, according to research, children and teenagers in foster care tend to perform worse, than the population when it comes to physical health, social and emotional well-being, and learning abilities. Considering this uncertainty surrounding Angela's behaviour or reaction at this point it could help foster a sense of independence for her.
Critics of Theory
In my opinion, I believe that the Utilitarian Rule theory supports actions that benefit one's family. In terms, as Angela becomes more independent, she may find a sense of belonging and security outside of her family. However, it is important to gather all the support before concluding that someone else cannot make decisions for themselves (Wilkins, 2012). Having known Angela for quite some time I can evaluate what I believe would be best, for her. Even though Angela has the freedom to pursue her interests based on egoism her parents restrict her from doing so because they believe it is in her best interest. However, they are uncertain about the outcome and their primary concern is ensuring their daughter's safety and preventing any harm involving Angela.
Verdict:
After considering the perspectives presented by both theories, I find myself favouring Rule Utilitarianism. This viewpoint emphasizes the importance of property rights and responsibilities, from a social standpoint. On the other hand, Act Utilitarianism focuses on maximizing utility through each action, which could potentially undermine these rights and obligations. Rule Utilitarianism takes an approach that recognizes and respects these rights and obligations as a whole. Regarding Angela's situation, these guidelines enable me to keep assisting clients, including Angela and her family.
Summary:
To summarize adopting the approach of Rule Utilitarianism would fulfill our duty to help others even if it may not be ideal, for individuals. Therefore, it would be the decision to make and would have consequences, for all parties involved.
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