StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

The Schiavo : Ethics and the End of Life : What have you Learned from this Dilemma - Case Study Example

Cite this document
Summary
Case Study: The Schiavo Case: Ethics and the End of Life: What Have You Learned From this Dilemma? While ethics is an area of investigation that dates back to at least ancient Greek philosophy, it is also a discipline that must be continually re-examined and considered in light of cultural and technological changes…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER92.4% of users find it useful
The Schiavo Case: Ethics and the End of Life : What have you Learned from this Dilemma
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "The Schiavo : Ethics and the End of Life : What have you Learned from this Dilemma"

Case Study: The Schiavo Case: Ethics and the End of Life: What Have You Learned From this Dilemma? While ethics is an area of investigation that s back to at least ancient Greek philosophy, it is also a discipline that must be continually re-examined and considered in light of cultural and technological changes. In recent years, one of the most pressing of such ethical concerns occurs in the area of medicine and health care. From concerns over the shifting nature of stem cell research to broader bioethical considerations, medical advancements pose ethical challenges that humanity has never experienced.

Recently, one such ethical consideration presented itself in the life of the family members of Terri Schiavo. Schiavo is an individual that had lost higher brain functions and had been relegated to a bed and a feeding tube. Schiavo’s parents desire was to keep her alive, while her husband believed it was Schiavo’s desire to remove the feeding tube. The incident presents a number of ethical questions related to end of life issues. This essay considers the various issues surrounding this case, and articulates what I learned from this dilemma.

In considering the various ethical elements surrounding the Terri Schiavo dilemma there are a number of things I learned. One of the primary elements I learned to consider was the nature of ethical considerations in the realm of secular and non-secular concerns. Within the spectrum of the Terri Schiavo dilemma it seems apparent that one of the primary concerns arises as an element of Schiavo’s parents Roman Catholic beliefs. The ethical dilemma is presented as a concern between her family members over medical concerns, with Schiavo’s parents indicating that they believe she has the potential to wake from her state and her husband indicating not believing this is possible.

Still, it seems that most evidence indicates that Schiavo has truly lost higher-level brain functioning. In these regards, their religious perspective largely influences Schiavo’s parents. It seems that such decisions must be established on firmer ethical grounds than spirituality. Another major thing I learned related to the nature of ethical decision-making. Having never experienced such a life-pressing dilemma as occurred in the Schiavo case, it was surprising to discover that there was not a readily established chain of decision-making.

While one would think to trust Schiavo’s husband, this issue is further complicated by potential financial or legal motivations he might have to see her die early. The case notes, “Providing clear direction is a gift we can give to those who love us, a gift that avoids putting them in the agonizing situation of trying to make choices on our behalf without knowing what we would want” (Hinman & Kalichman). Ultimately, the failure of such a process or structure of decision making greatly contributed to the ethical challenges of this specific case.

Another element that was learned related to the need for increased awareness and legal structure to be established in relation to end of life issues. In researching end-of-life issues one of the most pervasive such contemporary considerations occurs in the case of Dr. Jack Kevorkian; it’s noted that, “Dr. Jack Kevorkian was found guilty of second-degree murder for ending the life of a terminally ill man” (Hinman). In these regards, it seems that there is considerable debate regarding questions related to the legal elements of end of life issues.

The very notion that an individual should have to go to a black market doctor to find an option for euthanasia is indicative of the tremendous ethical challenges within this realm of medical care. While religious principles have historically functioned as cornerstone elements of many moral decisions throughout society, it seems that in questions of end-of-life decisions they have held back progress in legal decision-making. Few would contend that religion should be prohibited, but just as restrictions are placed on the extent that spirituality can influence state laws, similarly these end-of-life questions should be based on principles of human rights rather than religious standards.

Not until laws are designed based on human rights principles will more progress be made in terms of these ethical dilemmas. In conclusion, this has considered what I have learned from the case study The Schiavo Case: Ethics and the End of Life. Within this spectrum of understanding, the essay has considered the nature of secular and non-secular modes of ethical decision making. It has articulated how this dichotomy of decision-making has contributed to the challenges of the Schiavo case, as states have been restricted from establishing laws based on sound human rights decisions.

References Hinman, Lawrence, Kalichman, Michael. The Schiavo case: Ethics and the end of life Hinman, Lawrence. "Ethics Update." Ethics. University of San Diego, n.d. Web. 4 Sep 2011.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“The Schiavo Case: Ethics and the End of Life : What have you Learned Case Study”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/religion-and-theology/1431213-case-study-the-schiavo-case-ethics-and-the-end-of
(The Schiavo Case: Ethics and the End of Life : What Have You Learned Case Study)
https://studentshare.org/religion-and-theology/1431213-case-study-the-schiavo-case-ethics-and-the-end-of.
“The Schiavo Case: Ethics and the End of Life : What Have You Learned Case Study”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/religion-and-theology/1431213-case-study-the-schiavo-case-ethics-and-the-end-of.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF The Schiavo Case: Ethics and the End of Life : What have you Learned from this Dilemma

Ethics and Governance Case Study

Since the monitoring procedure of Next relies on the suppliers' evidence of conformance to criteria, this becomes a case of an ethical dilemma, since the chances of child labour remain.... Viewed from the different stakeholders involved, the extra income gained from the child would maximize happiness for the most.... Although Next doesn't have a connection with Pakistan, the fact has been mentioned only to show how different right and wrong could be in different countries....
4 Pages (1000 words) Case Study

To Live or Not To Live: The Terri Schiavo Debate

While Schiavo's state was considered irreversible, there is much more that may have been learned from her had she survived.... The author examines the Terri schiavo case which became a household name in the debates over the right to die, as well as human rights.... nbsp; Many argue that it might have been, but then there were many arguments in this case.... The bottom line, Terri Schiavo should have been alive today, and possibly even alive and well....
9 Pages (2250 words) Case Study

The Terri Schiavo

This is called the duty of the state to maintain the sanctity of life.... The paper “The Terri Schiavo” discusses the Terri schiavo case, which brought forth pertinent questions of law in regard to disabled people as well as those on life support.... The first question which came to be considered was whether a person, who is on life support could be removed from the same?... hellip; The author states that while in most countries where suicide is considered an offense, this question had no legal value, in other states where it was not considered an offense, the law gave such person a right to have a statement as to what course of action should be taken once the person has become incapacitated, or developmentally disabled....
2 Pages (500 words) Case Study

Ethical dilemma

Even though social location determines some of my personal values related to the case, as a social worker I must consider the nature of the CASW Code of ethics and the Standards of Practice as a guide rather than relying on personal dispositions on the issue.... With this… mind, after assessing the Elizabeth Smith dilemma, Elizabeth is drawing on these socially driven prejudgments regarding whether or not to maintain worker/client confidentiality as mandated by the CASW Code of Ethics. From a personal perspective, social location does, but For instance, socio-cultural background related to family structure and family inclusion often dictates personal responses to situations involving troubled families....
5 Pages (1250 words) Case Study

Ethical And Moral Dilemma Case Studies

The paper "Ethical And Moral dilemma Case Studies" describes what a panel of persons sit and consider whether a person in offense and serving in prison should be released having served the minimum term prescribed and be monitored under parole explains a 'parole board'.... hellip; It is therefore in such a framework that Robert is shown to serve as the leader to such a board the board under consideration is seen to be currently facing a dilemma in responding to the pressure within the prisons which have seen advocates rise to lobby for release of some inmates in order to decongest the facilities without consulting....
9 Pages (2250 words) Case Study

Analysis of Terri Schiavo Case

Four months after her injury, she was rendered incompetent and her husband, Mr Schiavo was appointed her lawful guardian without opposition from her parents.... After so many petitions, hearings and numerous appeals, the Florida Supreme Court sanctioned the feeding tube to be removed on 31 of March 2005 in spite of opposition from President George Bush and the Congress but she died on 31 of March 2005.... In all these cases, the courts viewed the freedom and privacy interest of the patients as supreme and thus, the judge argued that she would not have wished to continue living under life-prolonging measures all her life hence sanctioned the that the feeding tube be remove from her (Perry, Churchill and Kirshner, 2005) A number of legal considerations were put into perspective in the determination of this case....
5 Pages (1250 words) Case Study

Ethical Dilemmas in a Health Care Institution

A careful analysis and scrutiny of this case are vital in determining and exhibiting the disadvantages of an institution where an ethical dilemma is most prone.... Moreover, this analysis would help foretell the hazards of a dilemma and may help in one way or another, in making everyone concerned to realize the risks that a clinical dilemma poses to both the client and the health care provider.... When this bond breaks, a great risk threatens the advantages that both patient and clinical staff could have gained....
7 Pages (1750 words) Case Study

Johnny and Tony Trust and Ethical Dilemma

Ethics and ethical dilemmas have a close relationship through the fact that ethics result in ethical dilemmas and it is from this understanding that we critically analyze the role of ethics in ethical dilemmas.... The paper "Johnny and Tony Trust and Ethical dilemma" presents that criticism of an ethical dilemma situation entails analyzing a situation for a conflict between the performance of a right that is in conflict with another right in accordance with the guidelines of right....
6 Pages (1500 words) Case Study
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us