Assessment 1: Applying Ethical Theory

Compose a 2-3 page paper in which you respond to a simulated medical ethics dilemma by applying the three normative theories of ethics.

Introduction

The field of ethics is highly personalized; each individual has his or her own view of actions that are morally and ethically sound. Rather than relying solely on personal experiences and emotions to govern ethical views, however, individuals often use ethical theories as a foundation. Ethical theories are useful in a variety of ways:

• To help people think through issues that arise in their everyday life.
• To make decisions, particularly those involving moral and ethical challenges.
• To justify decisions to others.
• To recognize types of arguments that other individuals use.

You will learn about three traditions of normative ethics:

• Virtue ethics.
• Deontological ethics.
• Consequentialist ethics.

These three traditions have contributed to our understanding about ethics through the works of key thinkers in history. Understanding these ethical theories will help you support your positions on ethical issues you encounter. In this assessment, you will apply ethical theory to a scenario that will be provided for you.

Demonstration of Proficiency

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies through the following scoring guide criteria:

• Competency 1: Explain the nature of ethical issues.
  • Explain the ethical issue in a scenario.
• Competency 2: Critically examine the contributions of key thinkers from the history of ethics.
  • Apply the three traditional theories of normative ethics to a situation.
• Competency 3: Engage in ethical debate.
  • Describe the advantages and disadvantages of each of three approaches to ethical theory as they relate to a specific situation.
• Competency 4: Develop a position on a contemporary ethical issue.
  • Apply ethical theory to justify an ethical position on an issue.
• Competency 5: Communicate effectively in the context of personal and professional moral discourse.
  • Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of professional communities.

Overview

You have now studied the three approaches to ethical theory (deontological, consequentialist, and virtue theory) as exemplified in the work of Immanuel Kant, John Stuart Mill, and Aristotle. Your assessment is to write an essay applying these three approaches to the following practical case:

You are called to consult in the critical care unit of your local hospital. The hospital admits JoEllen, 53, after she takes an overdose of prescription medications with alcohol. On admission, she says, “Not supposed to be here . . . ” and soon becomes uncommunicative. As her condition deteriorates rapidly, her son arrives with a notarized advance directive in which JoEllen specifically asks not to be placed on life support. What should you recommend to the attending health professionals?

Instructions

As you write your essay, consider how you would achieve the following:

• Explain the ethical issue in this scenario.
• Apply the three traditional theories of normative ethics to this situation.
• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the three theories as they relate to this situation.
• Apply ethical theory to justify your stance on the right thing to do in this situation.

Your instructor may provide video feedback on your work, as well as complete the official scoring guide for the assessment.

Additional Requirements

• Written communication: Ensure written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message.
• APA formatting: Format resources and citations according to current APA style guidelines.
• Number of resources: Use your judgment to ensure your topic is thoroughly researched. There is no minimum number of resources required.
• Length of paper: Submit 2-3 typed, double-spaced pages.
• Font and font size: Use Arial, 12-point font.

Suggested Resources

The following optional resources are provided to support you in completing the assessment or to provide a helpful context. For additional resources, refer to the Research Resources and Supplemental Resources in the navigation menu of your courseroom.

Three Approaches

• Fieser, J. (n.d.). ​Ethics. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from http://www.iep.utm.edu/ethics/
  • Pages 1-15.
• Hinman, L. M. (2016). Ethical theories. Ethics Updates​. Retrieved from http://ethicsupdates.net/theories/index.shtml
  • Pages 1-2.

Virtue Ethics

• Kemerling, G. (2011). Aristotle: Ethics and the virtues. The Philosophy Pages. Retrieved from http://www.philosophypages.com/hy/2s.htm
  • Pages 1-3.
• Kraut, R. (2018). Aristotle’s ethics. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-ethics/
  • Pages 1-27.
• Sachs, J. (n.d.). Aristotle: Ethics. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from http://www.iep.utm.edu/aris-eth/
• Taylor, C. C. W. (2006). Aristotle: Nicomachean ethics, Books II-IV. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press.
• Tong, R., & Williams, N. (2009). Feminist ethics. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/feminism-ethics/

Deontology

• Jankowiak, T. (n.d.). Immanuel Kant: Moral theory. Retrieved from http://www.iep.utm.edu/kantview/#H5
  • Pages 22-28.
• Johnson, R., & Cureton, A. (2016). Kant’s moral philosophy. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Archive (Spring 2018 edition). Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2018/entries/kant-moral/
  • Pages 1-35.
• Kemerling, G. (2011). Kant: The moral order. The Philosophy Pages. Retrieved from http://www.philosophypages.com/hy/5i.htm
  • Pages 1-5.

Consequentialism

• Brink, D. (2014). Mill’s moral and political philosophy. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Archive (Winter 2016 edition). Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2016/entries/mill-moral-political/
  • Pages 1-72.
• Kemerling, G. (2011). Utilitarianism. Philosophy Pages. Retrieved from http://www.philosophypages.com/hy/5q.htm
  • Pages 1-5.
• Mill, J. S. (2009). Utilitarianism. Auckland, New Zealand: Floating Press.
• Schefczyk, M. (n.d.). John Stuart Mill: Ethics. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved from http://www.iep.utm.edu/mill-eth/
  • Pages 1-23.
• Sinnott-Armstrong, W. (2015). Consequentialism. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Archive (Winter 2015 edition). Retrieved from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/consequentialism/
  • Pages 1-25.

Multimedia

• Three Kinds of Normative Activity.
  • View this multimedia piece to add to your learning on theories of ethics.

The following resources on problem solving, critical thinking, writing, multimedia production, and research may be helpful to you as you complete your work in this course. Be sure to return to these resources frequently as you prepare your assessments for submission.

Problem Solving

• Skillsoft. (n.d.). Critical thinking essentials: What is critical thinking? [Tutorial].
  • One of the essential undergraduate learning outcomes is problem solving, which includes the soft skill of thinking critically about significant issues. Since we will be using this throughout the course, you may find it helpful to refresh your skills by viewing this Skillsoft tutorial.
  • Running time: 1:00:00.
• Skillsoft. (n.d.). The building blocks of building trust [Tutorial].
  • Respectful debate is fundamental to successful problem solving, since everyone has the right to a personal opinion. Trust is an essential part of this. Use this Skillsoft tutorial to grow at building trust in this setting.
  • Running time: 29:00.
• Academic Skills.
  • Access this page for more resources on critical thinking.
• Critical Thinking.
• Effective Learning Strategies.

WRITING SUPPORT

Consult the following resources for academic writing assistance:

MULTIMEDIA RESOURCE

Two of your assessments in this course will require you to create a multimedia presentation using Kaltura. Check the Capella Academic Skills page for resources on Using Kaltura [PDF].

GENERAL EDUCATION INFORMATION RESEARCH SKILLS LIBRARY GUIDE

A Capella University library guide has been created for your use in general education courses. The General Education Information Research Skills Library Guide contains tips on how to use the Capella University Library to find resources for your General Education courses. You are encouraged to refer to the resources in this library guide to direct your research in this course.

Note: This program guide supports the essential undergraduate learning outcome of information literacy.

• Capella Writing Center.
  • APA Style and Format.

Applying Ethical Theory Scoring Guide

CRITERIANON-PERFORMANCEBASICPROFICIENTDISTINGUISHEDExplain the ethical issue in a scenario.

Does not explain the ethical issue in the scenario.

Describes the ethical issue in the scenario.

Explains the ethical issue the scenario.

Analyzes the ethical issue the scenario.

Apply the three traditional theories of normative ethics to a situation.

Does not apply the three traditional theories of normative ethics to the situation.

Applies traditional theories of normative ethics to the situation, with errors or omissions.

Applies the three traditional theories of normative ethics to the situation.

Analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of the three theories as they relate to the situation.

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of each of three approaches to ethical theory as they relate to a specific situation.

Does not describe the advantages and disadvantages of each approach to ethical theory.

Describes advantages or disadvantages of each approach to ethical theory as they relate to a specific situation, but not both.

Describes the advantages and disadvantages of each approach to ethical theory as they relate to a specific situation.

Analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of each approach to ethical theory as they relate to a specific situation.

Apply ethical theory to justify an ethical position on an issue.

Does not apply ethical theory to justify your ethical position on this issue.

Identifies an ethical position on this issue.

Applies ethical theory to justify an ethical position on this issue.

Justifies an ethical position on this issue, supported clearly by ethical theory.

Communicate in manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for professional communities.

Does not communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, or consistent with expectations for members of professional communities.

Communicates inconsistently in a manner of scholarly and professional expectations for members of professional communities.

Communicates in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of professional communities.

Communicates in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for members of professional communities, with written communication that is free of errors that detract from the overall message.