Ethical System Position on Gender Affirming Care Research Paper Assignment
Christy L. Lipps
ETHC205: Ethical Reflections on Human Life
February 23, 2025
Contents
A Comparative Analysis of Two Ethical Systems.......................................................................1
Virtue Ethical System..........................................................................................................1
Magnuson’s Christian Ethical System.................................................................................2
Application of Ethical System on Ethical Issue (Gender-Affirming Care)..............................3
Rae’s 7-Step Moral Decision-Making Process & a Christian Ethical System.........................3
Conclusion......................................................................................................................................5
Bibliography.................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
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This research paper dives into the ethical side of gender affirming care through the lens of
virtue ethics and comparing it to Magnuson’s Christian ethical framework. The aim is to
highlight how effective each approach can be when tackling the nature of this topic. Although
Magnuson’s perspective has a lot of valuable points, virtue ethics focuses on character and
personal growth, giving us a stronger, more detailed way to deal with the various challenges that
come up in gender affirming care. I’ll start by comparing these two ethical systems and applying
them specifically to the issue of gender affirming care and show that compassion, wisdom, and
justice are important in this situation.
A Comparative Analysis of Two Ethical Systems
Virtue Ethical System
Virtue ethics is a framework that goes back to Aristotle and is all about shaping a good
character. It’s about becoming a good, decent human being, not just about doing what is right.
The belief in this system is that if you have a virtuous and moral character then doing what’s
right will come easy and naturally. Key virtues like compassion, wisdom, courage, and justice
help guide the individual’s into making morally sound decisions. Instead of just focusing on strict
rules or the final outcomes of our actions, virtue ethics is about the individual, like, who
you are and how you’re evolving morally.1 It makes you think about stuff like what kind of
person do I want to be or what would a good person do in this kind of situation. It understands
that moral dilemmas can be tricky and complicated. That’s why it really stresses the importance
1 Ken Magnuson, Invitation to Christian Ethics: Moral Reasoning and Contemporary Issues. (Grand
Rapids: Kregel Academic, 2020).
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of context, using your judgment, and having a bit of discretion when you're trying to figure these
tough situations out.
Magnuson’s Christian Ethical System
Magnuson’s Christian ethical approach is firmly rooted in the character of God and His
commandments found throughout the Bible. Magnuson’s Christian ethical approach is firmly
rooted in the character of God and His commandments found throughout the Bible. While virtues
are important, this approach really focuses more on following divine law. It digs into themes like
sin, grace, and redemption.
When it comes to Magnuson's theory, it usually goes for this deontological perspective.
this means it's all about figuring out what's right and wrong based on whether actions match up
with what God wants. It's like having a moral compass that points towards accountability to God,
which also gives solid guidelines to live by.2
Both systems seem to value character, but they focus on different things. Virtue ethics is
all about the journey of becoming virtuous and upright, while Magnusons Christian ethical
system leans more towards following the laws laid out by God. Understanding the difference is
important, especially when it comes to tackling complex issues like gender affirming care.
Different verses in the Bible and varied understandings of human nature often lead to conflicting
results. The emphasis virtue ethics places on wisdom and discernment means it can be more
adaptable to certain situations, which is something that Christian ethics struggle with, following
strict rules. While Magnuson’s framework is considerably valuable for understanding Christian
2 Magnuson, Invitation to Christian Ethics, 59-70.
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morality, virtue ethics offers a more detailed and flexible ways to navigate the complexities faced
in today’s ethical dilemmas.3
Application of Ethical System on Ethical Issue (Gender-Affirming Care)
Gender affirming care comprises of numerous treatments aimed at helping individuals
whose gender identity does not quite alight with the sex they were assigned at birth. Some
examples of treatment include hormonal treatments, surgeries, therapy sessions, and even
community support. When people start debating the ethics of this care, they often talk about
some serious questions. For example, what does body autonomy actually mean? How do we
define gender identity? There’s also the concern about the long-term impacts these treatments
might have on individuals.
Rae’s 7-Step Moral Decision-Making Process & a Christian Ethical System
When diving into Rae’s 7-step process for making moral decisions within a Christian
framework, it’s really about looking at the situation from all perspectives. It’s important to think
about what the Bible says, but also what science and medicine bring to the table.
First thing is getting the facts with gender dysphoria. What causes it? What kinds of care
are out there? What are the pros and cons of each treatment? It’s also important to listen to what
transgender individuals have to say. One textbook provides a theological framework for
understanding this topic of discussion, emphasizing how our bodies relate to our souls, showing
that our bodies are good creations, and we should take care of them. 4
3 Magnuson, Invitation to Christian Ethics, 59-134
4 Gregg, Allison, R., Embodied. (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic).
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Next is recognizing key ethical points to keep in mind. This is all about respecting
people’s choices regarding their own bodies, that they’re happy and healthy, and preventing any
harm. Fairness and justice also play a huge role. One of the toughest things about this whole
discussion is that it's all about balancing personal freedom with the possible long-term effects of
the choices people make. It's not just about the individual, it's about everyone involved like the
transgender individual, their family, the healthcare workers, and even the community. These
kinds of decisions, they can send out ripples that touch a lot of lives, for better or worse. Ans
when you’re weighing the consequences, it's really important to dig deep into what might come
next if someone heads down a specific road. Look at the physical, emotional, and social results
of different care options and also think about what could happen if one decides not to provide
any care at all.
The next step would be reflecting on one’s values by taking a moment to check in with
self about what you truly believe. How do your values shape your decisions? It’s all about being
real with ones about what matters and trying to act with compassion, wisdom, and fairness.
Next step, brainstorming possible solutions, is a way to get creative. One could think of
different ways to approach the situation and how those options might pan out. This could involve
talking with trusted friends, having open conversations, even with people that might disagree
with you, and exploring the best methods for supporting transgender individuals.
Finally, listening to your conscience is by taking a step back and really listening to what
your gut is telling you. One way is through spending time in prayer and seeing what kind of
guidance one could get from the Holy Spirit. This step is all about feeling what’s right to you and
staying true to your beliefs.5
5 Scott, Rae B., Moral Choices: An Introduction to Ethics, 4th ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2018).
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Conclusion
The Bible really emphasizes how every single person matters, regardless of how society
tries to label us. There’s a powerful verse that even says, “There’s no Jew or Greek, slave or free,
male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
6 This verse really speaks to our equality and
togetherness in Jesus. It urges us to look past our differences and to show some genuine
compassion towards one another. Now the Bible doesn’t tackle transgender topics head on, but,
the core ideas of love, kindness, and empathy can all be used to navigate these tricky
conversations.
When using virtue ethics for gender affirming care, it’s really all about blending
compassion, wisdom, and justice in what we do. Making those ethical choices means we must be
open to really listening to transgender experiences. And, yes, it’s also important to look at the
scientific facts, too, and even what we might feel we’re getting from the Holy Spirit.
Magnuson’s theory does offer some pretty solid Christian moral insights, but virtue ethics
seems like a more effective way to tackle those complicated decisions we may face. The aim is to
create a fair and caring world for all.
Bibliography
Allison, Gregg R. Embodied. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2021.
Holman Christan Standard Bible. Holman Bible Publishers, 2004/2017.
Magnuson, Ken. Invitation to Christian Ethics: Moral Reasoning and Contemporary Issues.
Grand Rapds: Kregel Academy, 2020.
Scott, Rae B. Moral Choices: An Introduction to Ethics. 4th . Nashville: Zondervan, 2018.
6 The Holy Bible; Holman Christian Standard Bible. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2018).
