Reference no: EM133537096

Discussion Post: Dax

Prompts:

Remember, philosophy is the skill of giving and asking for reasons. This week you will consider arguments from the readings and from other students, and present your own arguments. You will also practice proper citations.

Pick one prompt below to answer. After you finish the reading assignment, type out your answer and paste it as a reply on the Discussion Board.

Discussion Prompt I

As a patient, after the fact, Dax still disagreed with his doctor's choice, even though he now lived a good life. What are his reasons for disagreeing? Connect his answer to the Principle of Autonomy, Formula of Ends, or Harm Principle and explain the connection. Cite specific page numbers in the reading. (This prompt connects with Module Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. The Module Objectives can be found on the Guide and Checklist at the beginning of this Module)

Example of citing:

Dax said he is happy now and probably happier than most people (Burt, 1998, p. 17).

Source: Burt, Robert A., "Confronting Death: Who Chooses? Who Controls? A Dialogue between Dax Cowart and Robert Burt" (1998). Faculty Scholarship Series. Paper 706.

Discussion Prompt II

Imagine that you are in the same situation as the current Dax. Would you, like Dax, regret that the doctors kept you alive when you were in pain? Or would you be glad they had overruled your wishes because you have a good life now? Why? State a premise in Dax's argument that you agree or disagree with, or that you think would not apply to a different case. Cite specific page numbers in the reading.

Module Objectives

Through the assignments in Module, students will learn how to:

Question A. Explain the importance and limits of autonomy.

Question B. Apply the principle of autonomy to a bioethics case.

Question C. Evaluate the Principle of Autonomy from different moral frameworks (i.e. What does Kantianism say about Autonomy? How does Utilitarianism and Care Ethics each value autonomy?)

Question D. Describe key facts about a bioethics case.

Question E. Explain what other people have said about a bioethics case (state and explain the premises and conclusion of their argument).

COURSE OUTCOMES

After successfully completing this course, students should be able to:

Question A. Explain ethical principles and the philosophical arguments that bear on them.

Question B. Apply ethical principles to a broad range of biomedical issues.

Question C. Recognize and develop strategies for dealing with varying cultural perspectives on ethical issues.

Question D. Apply ethical principles in detailed studies of particular cases.

Question E. Evaluate arguments for and against proposed solutions to ethical dilemmas in the practice of medicine and biological research.