Hospital Memorandum on Heart Transplant
Decision making is a complicated process that requires attentiveness, sincerity, and honesty. There are decisions that, once made, will influence the lives of the involved part for eternity. Such a decision call for virtue beyond reason to ensure that one can live with the consequences of the choice (Baron, 2017). Several philosophers have provided various theories to explain the ethicality of the decision-making process. Before deciding on the choice of the patient, we will consider multiple ethical theories and the considerations for the decision. All the selections made must focus on the principles of what is good or bad and its impact on the society and not the affected persons only.
Utilitarian ethical philosophy of John Stuart Mill
John Stuart Mill proposes that the best decision is the one that focuses on maximizing the happiness of the individual. As such, the decision-maker must consider who is bound to be happy the most and how this will influence personal choices (Cahn, 2016). Stuart argues that the happiness of the populous is the measure of what is right or wrong and not complicated choices that have both alternatives. However, Stuart’s proposal means that one must first consider all the options before making a decision, which beats the importance of discernment in the decision-making process (Cahn, 2016). John Stuart’s Utilitarian theory is a proposal for a balance between what is morally good and what satisfies the masses need.
Kant Theory of Deontology
Kant proposes consideration of duty as the main mechanism for decision making. He states that acting in a morally way means acting based on a sense of duty. (Baron, 2017) Thus, for goodness to be considered good itself, it must have no qualification and must be by itself. Accompaniments such as god acts do not define the goodness but the person. Thus, a person might do a good deed but for the wrong reasons (Baron, 2017). Thus, he dispels the notion that goodness arises from man’s character but the sense of duty. Therefore, the duty can dispel the notion and need for human survival.
Considerations
Therefore, considering the two theories presented, we make several considerations for the case. Firstly, who has the most obligation among the patients. The one with the most obligations will be the one who needs the surgery the most. The choice has to focus on the number of dependents. Secondly, consider the morality of the decision and those who will have the most happiness. If happiness is distributed to a larger number of people then the person should be given preference (Cahn, 2016). Thus, decisions may not necessarily be the best for each group but will serve the best purpose
Decision
Below is the decision with a reason
Gainer
Male 55 years old. The heart surgery will go to this male. This decision is made based on the obligatory requirements of the man. When compared to all the other two based on the need assessment. The man has more dependents than all the others. Kant proposes a focus on obligations as an essential tool in decision making. Thus, by considering the obligatory requirements, the heart surgery has to go to the 55 years old man
Losers
The female 12 years should be next in line. This decision comes form consideration of the Utilitarian theory. The family of the man bears the most happiness of the three. This thought is visible through their willingness to support the hospital if their child survives. Besides, based on recurrent behavior, there is no possibility that Ozzy, the drug addict, can live a good life. Thus, giving him a transplant will be a major waste
References
Baron, M. W. (2017). Kantian Ethics Almost Without Apology. Stanford: Cornell University Press.
Cahn, S. M. (2016). Seven Masterpieces of Philosophy. New York: Taylor & Francis Group.
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