Virtue Ethics in the Premature Twins Case
Final Essay- Keystone Assessment (30 % of your class grade) Judge the medical case studied in the following video: https://vimeo.com/175268137
In the video, philosophers applied the three major ethical principles you learned in this class: Kant’s Categorical Imperative, Utilitarianism, and Virtue Ethics. In a five-paragraph essay or more, apply ONE ethical theory to decide the moral course of action in the medical case of the premature twins studied in class. Apply the ethical theory in each paragraph to support your arguments throughout the entire essay. Not using an ethical theory results in an automatic zero. Using more than one ethical theory results in an automatic zero.The keystone assessment will be graded according to the following aspects:
1) You have an introduction paragraph that introduces the moral issue in the video and the moral theory of your choosing. You also have a thesis statement that clearly states your position and how you will argue for it.
2) You choose only one of three moral ethical theories listed above as the cornerstone of your essay.
i) For Kantâs Deontology, you include and apply his two arguments and Sandelâs three contrasts.
ii) For Utilitarianism, you include and apply Benthamâs four points in his âPrinciple of Utilityâ and three or more aspects of his âFelicific Calculus.”
iii) For Virtue Ethics, you include and apply Aristotleâs âGolden Meanâ, his views on universal virtues with their relation to eudaimonia, and three or more virtues from the virtue table (found in week 5 folder)
3) Each reason is communicated well and related to the medical case in the video. You use examples from the video to demonstrate your point. Each reason has enough detail to clearly illustrate your position to someone who doesnât know too much about ethics.
4) You have a conclusion that neatly wraps up the gist of the essay.
Virtue Ethics in the Premature Twins Case Study
Virtue Ethics, rooted in the philosophy of Aristotle, focuses on the character of the individual and the virtues they cultivate rather than on the consequences as in Utilitarianism or adherence to rules as in Deontology (Mixon, 2024). In applying Virtue Ethics to the medical case of the premature twins, the moral course of action would depend on the virtues demonstrated by the healthcare providers, such as compassion, wisdom, courage, and justice. To apply Virtue Ethics fully in the medical case of the premature twins, we should incorporate Aristotleâs “Golden Mean” and his concept of eudaimonia, flourishing or well-being. Aristotle believed that virtues are the key to living a flourishing life and that each virtue lies between two extremes: excess and deficiency, what he called the “Golden Mean.” The “Golden Mean” is the balance between extremes of behavior, emotions, or actions (Fisher & Dimmock, 2020). In the medical case of the premature twins, healthcare professionals are required to find a balanced approach in their decision-making process.The healthcare team should prioritize acting with compassion for both the premature twins and their family. Compassion involves understanding the suffering and vulnerability of the infants and making decisions that aim to alleviate suffering while promoting their well-being (Fisher & Dimmock, 2020). In a case involving premature twins, this might involve providing the best possible care to improve their chances of survival and a healthy life. However, it is important to note that over-sentimentality might lead to offering treatments that prolong suffering without improving outcomes. Indifference could lead to neglect or withholding care. True compassion involves recognizing the suffering and providing appropriate medical interventions without losing clinical objectivity.
The practical wisdom phronesis should be the guiding principle. Practical wisdom refers to the ability to make sound decisions based on the context of the situation. Practical wisdom is critical for understanding the situation and making informed choices (Fisher & Dimmock, 2020). It involves knowing when to use certain medical interventions and when to refrain from overly aggressive treatments that may not help. The balance lies in being neither overly cunning (using the situation for personal gain or reputation) nor foolish (acting without adequate knowledge or consideration). This includes understanding the medical facts, the prognosis for the twins, and the resources available. A virtuous healthcare provider must balance these considerations, avoiding extreme measures that could prolong suffering without reasonable hope of improvement while also ensuring that life-saving treatments are not withheld prematurely.Courage in this context might involve making difficult decisions that are in the best interest of the twins, even if those decisions are emotionally challenging for the family or the medical team. For instance, if the prognosis is very poor, the healthcare provider may need to have the courage to recommend palliative care, which might be difficult but aligns with the virtue of compassion by preventing unnecessary suffering. Courage should be applied in devoid of  recklessness and cowardice (Fisher & Dimmock, 2020). Recklessness would mean pushing forward with treatments that have little chance of success, potentially causing more harm. Cowardice would involve avoiding difficult conversations or decisions about the twinsâ care, leaving them without the necessary medical interventions or guidance for the family.
Justice is must in this case study and involves fairness and equality in treatment. Justice means giving each twin and their family what they are dueâfair and equal treatment, and honest communication (Fisher & Dimmock, 2020). The medical team must avoid being too harsh (denying care that could help) or too lenient (offering false hope or unnecessary treatments that might not improve outcomes). Justice here also involves fairly distributing resources and time, ensuring that each twin gets the care they need while balancing the needs of other patients. In this case, the medical team should ensure that the twins receive equal access to care and that decisions are made impartially. This means treating each twin according to their specific medical needs and potential outcomes, without favoritism or discrimination. Justice would also involve honest communication with the family, ensuring they understand the situation and have the opportunity to make informed decisions.
For Aristotle, virtues are universal traits necessary for achieving eudaimoniaâthe highest form of human flourishing. “According to Aristotle, eudaimonia is the state that all humans should aim for as it is the aim and end of human existence. To reach this state, we must ourselves act in accordance with reason” (Fisher & Dimmock, 2020). The aim of healthcare providers in this case is not just to preserve life at all costs but to help promote the well-being of the twins and their family in a way that leads to the best possible quality of life. The healthcare team must exhibit self-control, especially in managing their emotional responses. They should not be overly influenced by personal attachments or biases but instead remain focused on the well-being of the twins and their family. The team should exercise generosity by offering time, care, and attention to the twins and their family. It may also mean providing emotional support, education, and reassurance to the family, helping them navigate difficult decisions. Honesty should be prioritized by being truthful with the family about the twinsâ prognosis, possible outcomes, and the limits of medical intervention is essential for achieving eudaimonia. This builds trust and ensures that decisions are made with a clear understanding of the situation. The medical team must exercise patience in caring for premature infants, as their development is often unpredictable, and quick fixes are not possible. Patience is necessary to evaluate the twinsâ condition over time without rushing decisions based on incomplete information.
Conclusion
The moral course of action, according to Virtue Ethics, is not based on strict rules or outcomes but on cultivating and acting out of virtues such as compassion, wisdom, courage, and justice. A virtuous healthcare provider would focus on acting with empathy for the twins and their family, making well-reasoned and fair decisions based on the circumstances, and upholding the ethical responsibility to minimize harm while providing the best possible care.
References
Fisher, A. & Dimmock, M. (2020). Unit 4: How One Should Live-Aristotelian Virtue Ethics.
Mixon, K. (2024). The Role of Virtue Ethics in Modern Moral Dilemmas. International Journal of Philosophy, 3(4), 14-28. http://dx.doi.org/10.47941/ijp.2094