Case Study on Moral Status
Based on “Case Study: Fetal Abnormality” and the required topic study materials, write a 750-1,000-word reflection that answers the following questions:
What is the Christian view of the nature of human persons, and which theory of moral status is it compatible with? How is this related to the intrinsic human value and dignity?
Which theory or theories are being used by Jessica, Marco, Maria, and Dr. Wilson to determine the moral status of the fetus? What from the case study specifically leads you to believe that they hold the theory you selected?
How does the theory determine or influence each of their recommendations for action?
What theory do you agree with? Why? How would that theory determine or influence the recommendation for action?
Here are the expectations for the assignment:
You will need to apply the theories to the fetus, the fetus only and only the fetus and not the characters (this repetition is deliberate). We already have moral status, therefore applying any theory to the persons in the case study will amount to no points no matter how well discussed. We are alive because we have moral status. The assignment question is really asking you: What Moral status would Marco ascribe to the fetus? What is the fetus right to or not to live according to Marco and Why? Think the same way for each person. You are not to focus on the relationship they have with each other. The fetus is the main focus, the fetus and only how they see the fetus.
Let’s us think about Marco for a little bit. Marco does apply a theory to the fetus. We are not concerned about how he feels about his wife. We are concerned about how Marco sees the fetus and from there we undoubtedly know which theory Marco would favor.(This is a tip)
As much as possible have a structure to your paper. I recommend an Introduction containing a thesis statement as the last one or two sentences, subheadings for each of the questions asked, and finally a brief conclusion.
I strongly recommend subheadings. I appreciate those who use subheadings. In your everyday reading, your reading is divided into subheadings to keep you focus. So it should be in your writing. Can you imagine reading pages and pages without subheadings? Your subheadings should not be the questions asked in the assignment, just the key points in the question. For example, your first subheading (which comes after your introduction of course) would be: Christian View of the Nature of Persons and Moral Status.
