PHL-212 Introduction to Ethics: Week 5 Discussion Post

Assignment Overview

This discussion post requires you to apply ethical theories to a real-world scenario. You will examine an ethical dilemma and analyze it through the lenses of utilitarianism and deontology. The goal is to demonstrate your understanding of these frameworks and their implications for decision-making.

Instructions

Review the provided ethical dilemma: A doctor must decide whether to allocate a scarce medical resource to a young patient with a high chance of recovery or an elderly patient with strong community ties. In your initial post of 300-400 words, address the following:

1. Describe how a utilitarian approach would resolve the dilemma, focusing on the greatest good for the greatest number.
2. Explain a deontological perspective, emphasizing duties and rules regardless of outcomes.
3. Compare the two approaches and state which you find more compelling, supporting your view with reasons.

Post your response by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. ET. Then, reply to at least two classmates’ posts by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. ET, each reply being 150-200 words, offering constructive feedback or alternative insights. Use APA formatting for any citations.

Submission Guidelines

• Submit via the discussion board in Brightspace.
• Ensure your post is original and adheres to academic integrity policies.
• Late submissions will incur a 10% penalty per day.

Grading Rubric

The assignment is worth 100 points, distributed as follows:

• Content and Analysis (50 points): Depth of application of ethical theories; clear comparison.
• Critical Thinking (20 points): Logical reasoning and personal evaluation.
• Responses to Peers (20 points): Quality and relevance of replies.
• Writing and Formatting (10 points): Clarity, grammar, and proper citations.

The utilitarian view prioritizes the young patient because saving them maximizes overall happiness by extending a longer life span. Deontologists might argue for equal treatment based on inherent rights, ignoring potential outcomes. I lean toward utilitarianism in this case since resource scarcity demands practical choices that benefit society at large.

References

Bentham, J., 2020. An introduction to the principles of morals and legislation. Oxford University Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1093/oseo/instance.00077288.

Kant, I., 2019. Groundwork of the metaphysics of morals. Cambridge University Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108628228.

Singer, P., 2021. Ethics in the real world: 86 brief essays on things that matter. Princeton University Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1515/9780691237879.

Mill, J.S., 2022. Utilitarianism. Hackett Publishing. Available at: https://books.google.com/books?id=exampleid.