Reference no: EM132393347

HUM1155 Ethics Assignment - University of Lethbridge, Canada

Introduction And The Dilemmas - In this assignment you will apply TWO ethical theories to a specific ethical dilemma and include an ANALYSIS section following what you wrote about the moral theories. It will be approximately 1200 (Minimum) to 1400 words long. You are required to do research for this paper.

The Dilemmas -

Choose one of the following ethical dilemmas:

1) Frank Van Den Bleeken has been in prison in Belgium for the past thirty years on account of committing rape and murder. According to authorities, he will never be released due to his inability to control his violent sexual urges. In 2011, he requested to undergo physician assisted suicide, citing that life imprisonment would cause him "unbearable psychological anguish." Belgium does not have the death penalty, but it does allow people to undergo physician assisted suicide if they are experiencing intolerable suffering (both physically and/or mentally). Is it ethical to allow Frank to undergo the procedure?

2) A recent court case in Connecticut involved a surrogate mother who refused the biological parents' request for an abortion. In this particular case, Crystal Kelley acted as a surrogate mother for a couple that hired her to do so for $22,000 dollars. Five months into the pregnancy a routine ultrasound revealed that the fetus had a cleft lip and palate, cyst in its brain and serious heart defects. Doctors informed the parents that the fetus would probably survive, but, nevertheless, there was only a 25% chance that it would "develop normally". Considering the prognosis, the parents informed Kelley that they wished for her to undergo an abortion. After Kelley refused, they offered her another $10,000 to undergo the procedure, and, through a lawyer, informed her that she had a legal obligation to do so (i.e. part of the surrogacy contract in Connecticut gives parents the right to terminate the pregnancy). In this particular case, what is the moral option?

3) California has recently passed a bill that requires university campuses to adopt "affirmative consent" language with regards to sexuality activity. In essence, students now need explicit affirmation from each other prior to engaging in sex. As such, the bill is sometimes referred to as "yes means yes". Should students be required to gain affirmative consent from one another or is consent implied so long as someone does not say no (hence the slogan "no means no")?

4) In 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court gave same-sex couples the right to marry. In spite of the court ruling, however, Kim Davies, a democratically-elected county clerk in Kentucky, refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. She cited her Christian beliefs and claimed that it was her religious right to do so. Nevertheless, the U.S. District Court disagreed and placed her in jail for five days. What is the moral option in this particular case?

5) A group of Russian and South Korean scientists hope to clone a mammoth from a well-preserved specimen discovered in 2013. The procedure would involve extracting somatic cells from the mammoth's bone marrow, fusing them with eggs taken from elephants, and, in turn, implanting the embryo into an elephant that would act as the surrogate mother. Is such a procedure moral? Why or why not?

6) According to the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), male nurses account for roughly six percent of the country's nursing population. In order to increase these numbers, should Lethbridge College employ strong affirmative action programs? Why or why not?

7) Kinder Morgan received government approval to extend the Trans-Mountain pipeline through British Columbia to the West Coast. The government of British Columbia and other citizen groups opposed the expansion for environmental and other reasons but recently the Government of Canada made plans to purchase the pipeline to continue the expansion despite opposition. Is the construction of the Trans-Mountain Pipeline ethical?

8) Should the USA and its allies use waterboarding in its interrogation techniques of suspected terrorists? Why or why not?

Instructions -

Choose one deontological and one teleological theory from the list. DESCRIBE each theory in a short but detailed way, then apply each theory to the moral dilemma. Marks are given strictly for the accuracy of your description and the consistency of your application of the theories to the dilemma. Marks are not based on the merits of the theory itself. After applying your TWO theories to the moral dilemma include a short but detailed analysis section where you provide your own argument given what you have just written. Is one theory better than another? Do both theories miss something critical? Make a claim and support your claim with reasons.

Deontological Theories

a) Kantian Ethics

Avoid focusing solely on the need for an internal struggle and one's motivations. Instead, your focus should be on Kant's formulations and perfect duties.

b) Divine Command Theory

Do not merely state that "one should do whatever God has commanded of them". Instead, use religious texts or the examples of religious figures.

c) Cultural Ethical Relativism

Demonstrate how a particular culture may examine the morality of the dilemma. In some cases, surveys and/or laws may be helpful.

d) Natural Rights

Include "rights language" and descriptions of the specific rights at play in the scenario. ONLY include rights language with this theory.

Teleological Theories -

a) Natural Law

Be sure to relate the ethical question to one's end goal or function. It may also be helpful to specify the form of Natural Law that you are using (e.g. Aristotle or Aquinas).

b) Utilitarianism

Include calculations in you analysis. Indicate whether you have chosen Act or Rule Utilitarianism.

c) Ethical Egoism

From whose perspective are you approaching the scenario?

d) Ethics of Care

Go beyond "help those you care about" or mere discussions about emotion.

e) Virtue Ethics

Include descriptions of the various virtues and vices that pertain to the dilemma. Note: Virtue Ethics can also be classified as deontological.

A Few Other Considerations

1) Do not give a broad overview or historical background of the chosen theories. Instead, provide a detailed but short description of the theories that captures the most relevant features of the theory. Then, apply these features to the ethical dilemma. This includes using the proper terminology.

2) This is a research paper so include at least 4 sources. These should be academic sources and you may include reputable sources such as major news sites. You must have a citation for the source you use for your theory.

3) You must include references and a reference page. (APA or MLA is fine).

Note - This assignment should be in 1500 words. And topic is 2nd one about abortion.