Ethics Fundamentals
Define: Philosophy
Philosophy is the investigation into fundamental topics of concern to nearly all human beings, such as God, knowledge, reality, and morality.
Argument for Wrongness of Killing
It is wrong to kill one person
to save another. Taking Theresa’s organs would be killing her to save others, they said, so taking the organs would be wrong.
Jodie and Mary, and their medical condition
Jodie and Mary were conjoined twins. They were joined at the lower abdomen, with fused spines, one shared heart, and one pair of lungs. Jodie, the stronger twin, provided blood for Mary.
Tracey Latimer and her death
Tracy Latimer was a 12-year-old girl with severe cerebral palsy. In 1993, her father, Robert Latimer, killed her by piping exhaust fumes into the cab of his truck. He claimed this act was motivated by her severe pain and lack of prospects for a meaningful life.
Define: Pseudo-inquiry
merely apparent inquiry that is motivated by the desire to defend a claim that you have already decided on independently of the evidence for or against it.
Define: Ethics
Ethics is the branch of philosophy that examines questions about morality, such as what is good or bad and how we should act.
Benefits Argument in favor of transplanting Baby Theresa’s organs
The Benefits Argument states that if we can benefit someone without harming anyone else, we ought to do so. Baby Theresa’s parents argued that since she was not conscious and would die soon, taking her organs would not harm her but would benefit other children who needed transplants.
The hospital petitioned the court, and the court’s ruling
The hospital petitioned the court for permission to perform the operation to save Jodie, as both twins would otherwise die within six months. The court ruled in favor of the hospital, and the operation was performed. Jodie survived, and Mary died.
Slippery Slope Argument in the Latimer Case
The slippery slope argument warns that allowing mercy killing in one case could lead to broader acceptance of ending lives deemed less valuable, such as those of the elderly or disabled. Critics feared that Tracy’s case could set a dangerous precedent for devaluing human life.
Define: sham reasoning
A type of pseudo-inquiry that occurs when you defend a claim that you really believe is true but your belief is immune to evidence or argument - no matter what the evidence shows, you will not change your mind about it.
Define: Genuine Inquiry
Inquiry that is motivated by the desire to find the truth, no matter what that truth happens to be.
Genetic disorder, baby Theresa had, and its key characteristics
Anencephaly, Important parts of the brain—
the cerebrum and cerebellum—are missing, as is the top of the skull. The brain stem, however, is still there, and so the baby can still breathe and possess a heartbeat. No long-term survival rate and lack of consciousness.
The parents' argument against the operation
The parents argued from the perspective of the sanctity of life, a core tenet of Western moral and religious traditions. They believed it was wrong to intentionally hasten Mary’s death, as all human life is precious, and killing innocent humans is prohibited.
Argument disability advocates use against Robert Latimer’s actions
Disability advocates argued that killing Tracy amounted to discrimination against the handicapped. They emphasized that handicapped individuals deserve the same respect and rights as others and that no one has the right to deem one life less valuable than another.
Define: Fake Reasoning
A type of pseudo-inquiry that occurs when you defend a claim, not because you really have a sincere commitment to it ( you don't really care whether the claim is true or false), but because you think doing it will somehow benefit you.