PLS3701 ASSESSMENT 3 Final PORTFOLIO EXAMINATION 2023
10 NOVEMBER 2023
CHOOSE YOUR ESSAY All ESSAY ARE PROVIDED
QUALITY ANSWERS PROVIDED
SECTION A: BIOMEDICAL ETHICS
SECTION B: BUSINESS ETHICS
SECTION C: ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
SECTION A: BIOMEDICAL ETHICS
NOTE: If you have chosen to study Section A: Biomedical Ethics, then answer
only the Examination questions for this section (Biomedical Ethics) and ignore
the exam questions for Section B (Business Ethics) and Section C
(Environmental Philosophy).
QUESTION 1
Robin Attfield’s The Global Distribution of Health Care Resources highlights the
issue of Distributing a limited amount of resources to a seemingly unlimited
amount of people. In your Study of biomedical ethics, the underlying ethical
theories we considered were deontological Ethics, teleological ethics, and virtue
ethics. Write an essay in which you apply any two of these Ethical approaches to
the question of how medical resources should be distributed.
In considering the distribution of limited medical resources through deontological ethics,
the focus is on duties and moral obligations. According to this perspective, all
individuals possess an inherent right to healthcare, irrespective of socio-economic
factors. The duty to treat everyone equally is paramount, emphasizing principles such
as justice and human dignity. In a healthcare system guided by deontology, prioritizing
medical resources would involve ensuring that access is not contingent upon financial
means or social standing. This approach aligns with the principle of treating each
person with equal respect and valuing their intrinsic worth.
Teleological ethics, emphasizing the consequences of actions, brings a utilitarian
perspective to medical resource distribution. Here, the goal is to maximize overall well-
,being. Allocating resources in a way that produces the greatest overall benefit, such as
saving the most lives or improving quality of life, becomes the ethical imperative. This
approach may involve prioritizing urgent cases or those with the potential for significant
positive outcomes. The utilitarian lens encourages a dynamic allocation strategy that
seeks to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number, even if it means unequal
distribution in certain instances.
Virtue ethics introduces character traits and virtues into the discussion of medical
resource allocation. Compassion, justice, and fairness become key considerations.
Virtue ethics suggests finding a balance between equal access to healthcare and
recognizing individual cases that may require special attention. It encourages
healthcare providers and policymakers to cultivate virtues that promote both empathy
for those in need and a sense of justice in resource allocation. This approach
acknowledges the complexity of individual cases while upholding the importance of fair
and compassionate healthcare distribution.
Virtue ethics offers a distinctive perspective in the discourse on medical resource
allocation by introducing character traits and virtues as central considerations. In this
ethical framework, virtues such as compassion, justice, and fairness take precedence in
guiding decisions related to healthcare resource distribution. Virtue ethics encourages a
holistic approach, emphasizing the cultivation of virtuous character traits in healthcare
providers and policymakers.
Compassion emerges as a cornerstone virtue in virtue ethics, influencing the way
medical resources are allocated. Healthcare providers, guided by compassion, are
encouraged to empathize with the suffering of individuals and recognize the moral
imperative to alleviate their pain. Virtue ethics suggests that the allocation of resources
should not only be based on clinical considerations but also reflect a compassionate
response to the diverse needs of patients. Justice and fairness, as virtues, play a pivotal
role in shaping the ethical landscape of medical resource allocation. Virtue ethics
advocates for a balanced approach that seeks to ensure equal access to healthcare
while acknowledging the uniqueness of individual cases. This balance requires
healthcare providers and policymakers to navigate the tension between the universal
principle of equitable resource distribution and the recognition that some cases may
warrant special attention due to unique circumstances.
In the realm of virtue ethics, cultivating virtues becomes essential for those involved in
the decision-making process. Healthcare providers are encouraged to develop virtues
such as empathy, compassion, and a sense of justice to navigate the complexities of
medical resource allocation ethically. Policymakers, similarly, are urged to consider the
, virtues that contribute to fair and compassionate healthcare policies. In essence, virtue
ethics provides a nuanced perspective on medical resource allocation, calling for a
synthesis of virtues such as compassion, justice, and fairness. It prompts a
conscientious balance between the universal principle of equal access to healthcare
and the recognition of individual cases that demand special consideration, fostering a
healthcare system guided by virtuous character traits.
QUESTION 2
Write an essay in which you critically discuss John T. Noonan Jr’s article, An
Almost Absolute Value in History. In your answer, faithfully re-construct
Noonan’s main argument regarding Abortion. Do you think abortion is something
that must be regulated by law or should it be a Personal choice
John T. Noonan Jr.'s article, "An Almost Absolute Value in History," presents a
deontological argument against abortion, asserting the absolute value of fetal life.
Noonan contends that the fetus possesses an inherent right to life, akin to an absolute
moral principle. He draws on historical perspectives to argue that the moral status of the
fetus has been consistently recognized, reinforcing the notion that abortion is a violation
of this intrinsic value. John T. Noonan Jr.'s seminal article, "An Almost Absolute Value in
History," delves into a deontological argument against abortion, grounding its ethical
stance on the assertion of the absolute value of fetal life. Noonan unequivocally
contends that the fetus possesses an inherent and absolute right to life, akin to an
unassailable moral principle that should govern human conduct.
Central to Noonan's deontological argument is the belief in the intrinsic value of fetal life.
He posits that this value is not contingent upon external factors or circumstances but is
an absolute, fundamental right that is independent of the subjective opinions or
preferences of individuals. By framing the right to life in absolute terms, Noonan
establishes a moral framework that categorically prohibits the intentional termination of
a pregnancy, viewing abortion as an infringement upon this inherent right. The historical
dimension Noonan introduces strengthens his deontological stance. Drawing on
historical perspectives, he seeks to demonstrate a consistent recognition of the moral
status of the fetus across different cultures and epochs. By anchoring his argument in
the continuity of moral thought throughout history, Noonan aims to establish the
enduring nature of the ethical dilemma surrounding abortion. This historical lens serves
to reinforce the notion that the sanctity of fetal life has been a deeply ingrained ethical
principle, transcending cultural and temporal boundaries.
