Mary’s Case
The principle of growth through suffering would apply to this case. According to ordinary human experience, the knowledge of suffering can enable people to build a healthy personality. People begin to learn that they are not the center of the world when they suffer. They begin to lose their sense of ownership. The reality that pain was not part of God’s initial intention for humans’ existence does not mean that people cannot profit from it. Mary believes that death is preferable to exist with pain, overlooking the importance that pain can have on individual existence even at the end of life. Secondly, the principle of human dignity applies to this case. This principle states that everybody must be valued and respected since they are members of society (Lederer, n.d.). As a result, every individual, irrespective of medical condition or other characteristics, is to be handled with dignity. Thus, Mary should be valued, respected, and comforted that she will soon get better and should not be discriminated against from the community operations owing to her medical condition. Lastly, the principle of professional communication would apply to this case. This involves advising Mary on the need not to commit suicide. This would also include telling Mary the necessity of taking medication in which she would eventually heal instead of telling her that committing suicide would be the best idea.
Once Mary approaches me to help her in researching the best concoction to assist her in committing suicide, I would refuse but instead, try to comfort her and explain to her that pain won’t last forever. I would convince her to undergo guiding and counseling programs and make sure that I am always with her to offer a company. I would also assist her in believing that things will improve and discover good aspects of her life. Lastly, I would encourage her to practice activities she enjoys, stay physically engaged, and interact with others. By advising her through the measures mentioned above, she would change her mind on suicidal ideation and discover her worth of being alive.
References
Thomas Lederer. (n.d.). Health care ethics. Theological Works of Thomas G. Lederer. https://www.arthurstreet.com/MEDICAL_ETHICS1995.htm
Principles of Catholic Health care Ethics
Leave a Reply