Philosophy Research/ 6/7pages/Well supported with facts/ no plagiarism/ETHICS/DUE TODAY - 6HRS

WORKSHOP #2

Putting Critical Thinking Skills at Work

CASE #1

Limiting Human Physical Development Process

Ashley Parents refer to their daughter as "Pillow Angel" because she does not move from wherever they put her, usually on a pillow.

A Seattle couple has a nine-year-old daughter, named Ashley, who has static encephalopathy, a rare brain condition which will not improve. As a result of this condition, Ashley has the mental ability of a three-month-old baby and cannot walk or talk. Instead of putting her in an institution, the couple decided, out of love obviously, to take care of her at home. Contrary to Ashley’s quite limited psychological (mental) development, the rate of her physical growth was normal apart from the fact that, at six year of age, she was already showing signs of puberty. But, as her body was developing, Ashley was, like any other girl, getting bigger and heavier; and Dad became the one who was lifting her from one place to the other. Ashley’s gradual growth in size and weight made the couple realize that their ability to keep providing her with a more personal type of care will go diminishing as they get older. At that point in time, they would be forced to consider using a mechanical lift, which is much more impersonal. To ensure not only that they are able to care for their daughter as long as they are alive, but also that the latter is provided with the best possible quality of life, the parents sought and obtained a hormone treatment to limit Ashley’s growth. They further opted for surgery to block breast growth and had her uterus and appendix removed. In support of their action, the parents argued that, 1. “because she will remain the weight of a child, it will [would] be easier for them to move her around, bathe her and

involve her in family activities - movement that will benefit her physical and mental well-being.”

2. “the treatment will help to improve her quality of life.” 3. "a fundamental and universal misconception about the treatment is that it is intended to convenience the caregiver.

Rather, the central purpose of the treatment is to improve Ashley's quality of life."

4. “keeping her "frozen" as a girl rather than letting her go through puberty and growing into a woman will give her a better life.”

5. “the decision to remove their daughter's uterus and breast buds was for the girl's comfort and safety.” Question: Do you approve the decision made by Ashley’s parents? Provide (1) your answer in a 10-page essay, (2) including page(s) for end notes,

and bibliography, (3) [MLA Style], (4) paper outline in the form of a table of contents

3. Case Resolution Method (CRM

Stage 1 • Step 1

Present the problem:Identify issue, define the moral situation

• Step 2 Collect information. List relevant facts.

Stage 2 • Step 3

List relevant values

• Step 4 Explore the options and ways to apply theories & interpret values. Consider

alternatives

• Step 5 Assess rightness and wrongness of various outcomes.

• Decide: take a stand on the issue (pick sides) and acknowledging the positive aspects or points on the opposite side.

• Step 6 Reach a solution

Stage 3 • Step 7

Defend: Justify the decision. Give reasons for decision. Assess whether they

are strong ones.

• Step8 Reflect: Consider whether anything was lacking in the course of case solving.

CASE: Limiting Human Growth

1. Case Analysis (Descriptive in Nature = Reporting)

Facts #1: Relative to Ashley’s Condition A Seattle couple has a nine-year-old daughter, named Ashley, who has static encephalopathy, a rare brain condition which will not improve. As a result of this condition, Ashley has the mental ability of a three- month-old baby and cannot walk or talk.

Facts #2: Parents’ Actions/Decisions

2.1. Instead of putting her in an institution, the couple decided, out of love obviously, to take care of her at home.

2.5. the parents sought and obtained * a hormone treatment to limit Ashley’s growth. * They further opted for surgery to block breast growth * and had her uterus and appendix removed

Facts #3: Relative to Ashley’s Condition

1.2. Contrary to Ashley’s quite limited psychological (mental) development, the rate of her physical growth was normal apart from the fact that, at six year of age, she was already showing signs of puberty. But, as her body was developing, Ashley was, like any other girl, getting bigger and heavier; and

1.2. Dad became the one who was lifting her from one place to the other.

Facts #4: Parents’ Actions/Decisions 2.2. Ashley’s gradual growth in size and weight made the couple realize

that their ability to keep providing her with a more personal type of care will go diminishing as they get older.

2.3. At that point in time, they would be forced to consider using a mechanical lift, which is much more impersonal.

2.4. To ensure not only that they are able to care for their daughter as long as they are alive, but also that the latter is provided with the best possible quality of life,

2.5. the parents sought and obtained * a hormone treatment to limit Ashley’s growth. * They further opted for surgery to block breast growth * and had her uterus and appendix removed.

2.6 Reasons (=Justification for the actions)

2. Student Task: Ethical Assessment/Evaluation on the basis of whether they were right or wrong (basis of rightness or wrongness of Parents’Actions.

QUESTION: WHAT is to Evaluate Ethically?

ANSWER: (1) PARENTS’ Actions

(2) GOAL to achieve through such actions

(3) REASONS for SUCH Actions (Parents’ Arguments) (4) ALTERNATIVE: Was there any alternative that would’ve helped achieve the

same goal

EHTICAL EVALUATION = DOMAIN OF CRITICAL THINKING

In other words, apply crititcal thinking (QUESTIONING) skills to:

(1) PARENTS’ Actions

(2) GOAL to achieve through such actions

(3) REASONS for SUCH Actions (Parents’ Arguments) (4) ALTERNATIVE: Was there any alternative that would’ve helped achieve the

same goal

IDENTIFY AND APLLY VALUES AND MORAL THEORIES (Chapter 2 Chart Outline)

4. Case Resolution Method (CRM

Stage 1 • Step 1

• Step 2

• Step 3

Stage 2 • Step 1

• Step 2

• Step 3

Stage 3 • Step 1

• Step 2

• Step 3