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Ethical and Moral Reasoning

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Ethical and Moral Reasoning

Problem Summary

As one of the most controversial topics that incessantly seem not to end, physician-assisted deaths continue to raise both moral and ethical concerns among the public. While others argue that physicians assisted suicide respects patient autonomy and eliminate pain and suffering of both patients and their loved ones, critiques assert that the procedures defies medical practice and devalues human life (Ollove, 2018). The aided deaths differ from euthanasia to incorporate prescriptions from licensed doctors that end the lives of terminally ill patients. Unfortunately, the interminable cycles of debates do not provide solutions, but increases conflicts and confusion as individuals struggle to understand what exactly should be regarded as right (Ollove, 2018). In this case, it remains unclear as to whether terminally ill patients should be condemned when they accept aided suicide that places physicians at crossroads that questions their professional morals and ethics.

Theoretical Application

While the popular ethical belief of utilitarianism supports physician-assisted deaths by bringing more happiness as opposed to the prolonged pain and suffering of patients, virtue and deontological ethics provide robust opposing sentiments. Deontological ethics recognizes a deed as being ethically correct once the actions taken conform to established standards that bind a person to practice. In this case, ethical obligations may arise from religions, professional code of conducts, personal values, or rules that are freely available in a natural setting. In particular, Kant’s philosophy argues that an action is right once a person acts from an obligation or duty while respecting the law (Thames, 2018). Nonetheless, the consequences of actions that result in harm would not be regarded as being good. As part of deontological ethics, Kant’s moral standpoint of what is right or wrong provides a clear assumption as to why physician-assisted deaths are indeed wrong.

In this regard, opposing physician-assisted deaths is ethically and morally right under deontological ethics. This is because a doctor is bounded by the Hippocratic Oath that upholds sound medical practices and care ethics when taking care of patients. In this case, physicians are required to make every effort necessary in helping patients who are terminally ill maintain a positive mentality with the hope of recovery (Thames, 2018). Instead of providing short-cuts to easing the pain, doctors are required to encourage their patients and providing support and compassion. Despite the importance of respecting patient autonomy, the principle of beneficence provides that care providers are bounded to ethically act on what would improve the lives of patients.

Theoretical Evaluations

Despite having a few states such as Oregon legalizing physician-assisted suicides, the majority of the American states are opposed to the medical practice with the view that it would be defying professional ethical standards in healthcare. In this case, deontological ethics align with the view of many legislators’ in eliminating the aided deaths. The current solution provided by policies and theoretical perspectives seek at not only addressing the problem but also emphasizing on the value of human life. At the same time, the moral clause provides a better argument that outweighs utilitarian ethics (Thames, 2018). After all, the quality of life and practice of medical care providers not only impacts care recipients but also significantly affects the entire society. Supporting the theory helps in gaining public trust in the health care system. Therefore, the theory requires no modifications in addressing the issue given the severity of the problem if legally-bounded doctors are allowed to help their patients die.

References

Ollove, M. (2018). Assisted physician suicide is controversial, but palliative sedation is legal and offers peace. Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/assisted-suicide-is-controversial-but-palliative-sedation-is-legal-and-offers-peace/2018/07/27/e9b02cf8-8922-11e8-8aea-86e88ae760d8_story.html?utm_term=.2662e6c15c61

Thames, B. (2018). How should one live? An introduction to ethics and moral reasoning (3rd ed.). Retrieved from https://content.ashford.ed