Deontology vs. Utilitarianism
THE RIGHT CHOICE
Deontology is an ethical theory, which states actions should be performed according a previously ranked set of values (Johnson, 1996). It states that some rights must not be violated even if it may produce the greatest overall good. It sees rightness as something intrinsic, rather than extrinsic, to the action performed. It is generally attributed to the philosophy of Immanuel Kant on categorical imperatives. Deontology urges that actions or means to actions must themselves be ethical. It upholds ethical norms and truths to be universally applicable. Immoral actions are those, which are wrong in themselves and of themselves. Deontology requires that all people act with the view that their act be a universal pattern or norm of behavior. Immanuel Kant also maintains that people arrive at moral conclusions on what is morally right or wrong through rational thought. Deontology insists that the means must justify the end (Johnson).
Utilitarianism, on the other hand, is an ethical theory or moral principle, which states that the moral act is one, which produces the greatest amount of benefits over harms for everyone involved (Andre, 2010). The end or means is not as important as the projected maximum benefits for those involved. This is the more frequently used method by most people for the purpose of achieving the greatest amount of good or preventing the greatest harm. This thinking guides most businesses and business analysts, lawmakers and scientists. Jeremy Bentham established the principle of utilitarianism, which seeks the greatest good for the greatest number. John Stuart Mill is also credited for it (Andre).
A nurse confronts a situation on how to advocate for a patient, Mrs. Rita Trosack, who must decide whether she and her husband should opt for abortion or continue with her pregnancy. She is three months pregnant and her doctor diagnosed her unborn child with Tay Sach's Disease, a genetic and still-incurable deformity. This is an actual case.
Case Study
A nurse has been assigned to the care of Mrs. Rita Trosack, at a high-risk obstetric clinic. Rita is 43 years old, married for 6 years. This is her first pregnancy. Both of them are Caucasian. Rita's medical history reveals that her father had a sibling who died at an early age for unknown causes, attributable to Tay Sach's Disease. On the other hand, Peter's medical history shows that his father had two siblings who also died at an early age for causes unknown at that time. These were also attributed to Tay Sach's. This duplicate condition means that both Rita and her husband are carriers of the Tay Sach's gene. This explains why their still-unborn child is afflicted with it.
Tay Sach's Disease is a neurological condition, characterized by nerve damage. The damage begins from the womb. Symptoms usually appear when the child is 3 to 6 months old after birth. The disease progresses and, in most cases, the defective child dies at 4 or 5. Research says that there is a 25% risk of passing the gene to every pregnancy among couples who are both carriers. Genetic screening is recommended before high-risk couples begin a family.
Rita and Peter are inconsolable upon learning the condition of their child. They go through the stages of denial, blame and compromise. But abortion is not an option to them because of their Catholic belief. Furthermore, another pregnancy is likely to be defective. Current knowledge about Tay Sach's Disease states that their only would-be child will be defective right in the womb and when born. He is expected to develop other symptoms, including blindness, dementia and paralysis, until a likely death at an early age. Rita and Peter will have to shoulder the immense...
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