

Objectives:
1. Explain the Christian view of the nature of human persons.
2. Compare the Christian view of intrinsic human value and dignity in contrast to secular views of personhood.
3. Evaluate how the concept of intrinsic human dignity is applied in the process of ethical decision-making.
Assessments
PHI 413 Topic 2 DQ 1 (275 WORDS, 3 REFERENCES)
What is the Christian concept of the imago Dei? How might it be important to health care, and why is it relevant?
PHI 413 Topic 2 DQ 2 (275WORDS, 3 REFERENCES)
According to your worldview, what value does a human person have? How does your position affect your stance on controversial bioethical issues, such as abortion, designer babies, and stem cell research?
Assignment: Case Study on Moral Status (3 pages, 5 references)
SUBMIT ASSIGNMENT
Assessment Description
Based on “Case Study: Fetal Abnormality” and the required topic Resources, write a 750-1,000-word reflection that answers the following questions:
1. What is the Christian view of the nature of human persons, and which theory of moral status is it compatible with? How is this related to intrinsic human value and dignity?
2. Which theory or theories are being used by Jessica, Marco, Maria, and Dr. Wilson to determine the moral status of the fetus? What from the case study specifically leads you to believe that they hold the theory you selected?
3. How does the theory determine or influence each of their recommendations for action?
4. What theory do you agree with? Why? How would that theory determine or influence the recommendation for action?
Remember to support your responses with the topic Resources.
While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance. PHI 413 Topic 2
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What is morally acceptable or unacceptable to do to a specific entity is described as moral status. Beckwith and Thornton (2020) present five distinct perspectives on moral status. Each point of view emphasizes specific elements that serve as a yardstick for determining whether a creature has moral status. Among them are cognitive elements, human elements, sentience, moral agency, and relationships. In this regard, the purpose of this paper is to investigate Christian beliefs about the nature of human persons and the theories used in the “Fetal Abnormality” case study to determine a fetus’ moral status.PHI 413 Topic 2
Christian View of the Nature of Human Persons and the Moral Status Theory It Relates With
A human being is defined as a man or woman created by God. Christians regard the human person as a single entity that includes the body, mind, and soul. They believe the spiritual soul transforms the matter-created body into a living body (Müller, 2020). Human beings are therefore obligated to regard their bodies as good and honorable because they are God’s creation, and God will resurrect them even after death. Christians believe that the unification of matter and spirit within a human being will result in the creation of one nature. Furthermore, an individual’s identity is viewed as a result of being a person rather than the individual’s acts of consciousness, intelligence, and freedom (Müller, 2020). As a result, every economic, political, and social activity must benefit human beings. PHI 413 Topic 2
The Christian perspective on the nature of human beings is consistent with the cognitive properties theory. The cognitive properties theory assumes that all individuals have cognition. Memory, perception, understanding, awareness, and thinking capacity are all components of cognition (Surovell, 2017). According to the Christian viewpoint, humans have self-awareness, which means they understand time, the past, and the future. The Cognitive properties theory explains that people have the freedom to take action and the capacity to participate in purposeful deeds. It is connected to the inherent human value and dignity since it demonstrates that humans are superior to other creatures (Surovell, 2017). (Surovell, 2017). Moreover, they are at the top of the cognitive ladder and thus deserve to be respected and valued.
Theory/Theories Being Used to Determine the Moral Status of the Fetus
Jessica uses the theory of moral agency to determine the fetus’s moral status because she has a request regarding the outcome. Because Jessica is the mother, she has the authority to decide whether or not the fetus has the same rights as a living infant. Jessica acts as a moral agent because she must act to make the best decision (Milliken, 2018). I believe she subscribes to the moral agency theory, based on the intrapersonal conflict she exhibits due to her hopes for improved socioeconomic status and independence, as well as her belief in the sanctity of life (Milliken, 2018). Marco, like Jessica, subscribes to the theory of moral agency. His considerations that their disabled child could be a financial burden reveal the theory. PHI 413 Topic 2
Maria braces the relationship theory, as evidenced by her plea to Jessica not to terminate the pregnancy and allow God’s purpose to be revealed. Maria also asks Jessica to consider her role as a mother to her unborn child (Surovell, 2017). According to the relationship theory, a fetus has moral status, and abortion is immoral. Dr. Wilson is the proponent of the theory of cognitive properties. According to the theory, for someone or something to have moral status, it must exhibit awareness and rationality (Surovell, 2017). According to the theory of cognitive properties, a fetus lacks awareness and rationality and can thus be terminated. When Dr. Wilson informs the family of every possible solution to the pregnancy, he demonstrates the theory of cognitive properties.
How the Theories Determine/Influence Their Recommendations for Action
The moral agency theory influences Marco’s decision to support Jessica’s final decision. The theory relationship influences Maria’s belief that abortion is wrong and the act to persuade Jessica to keep the pregnancy. The cognitive properties theory influences the doctor’s act of emphasizing the alternative of Jessica terminating the pregnancy (Brown, 2018). It could be related to the doctor’s scientific knowledge of fetal abnormalities and the consequences of carrying the fetus to term.
The Theory I Agree With
The cognitive properties theory is the most appealing of the three. According to the theory, moral status should be granted to someone or something that exhibits self-consciousness, the ability to engage in purposeful acts, language, reasoning, and volition (Beckwith & Thornton, 2020). I agree with the theory’s proposal that moral status is given to people or things that can think about their lives cognitively and act with intention and objectives influenced by their belief systems (Brown, 2018). By suggesting that Jessica have an abortion, the theory would influence my recommendation for action. Because it does not meet every determinant of cognitive ability, the fetus should not be granted moral status.
Conclusion
Christians believe humans can comprehend, possess, and make decisions for themselves. Their view is consistent with the theory of cognitive properties, which holds that all individuals have cognition. Jessica and Marco face a moral agency dilemma in the case study, deciding whether to keep the pregnancy or terminate it. Maria demonstrates the relationship theory, influencing her to beg Jessica to keep the pregnancy. Dr. Wilson demonstrates the Cognitive properties theory, which influences his emphasis on Jessica terminating the pregnancy.
References
Beckwith, F., & Thornton, A. K. (2020, July). Moral status and the architects of principlism. In The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy: A Forum for Bioethics and Philosophy of Medicine (Vol. 45, No. 4-5, pp. 504-520). US: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmp/jhaa019
Brown, M. T. (2018). The moral status of the human embryo. In The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy: A Forum for Bioethics and Philosophy of Medicine (Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 132-158). US: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmp/jhx035
Milliken, A. (2018). Refining moral agency: Insights from moral psychology and moral philosophy. Nursing Philosophy, 19(1), e12185. https://doi.org/10.1111/nup.12185. PHI 413 Topic 2
Müller, G. C. (2020). The Christian understanding of the human person. Principles. https://www.getprinciples.com/the-christian-understanding-of-the-human-person/
Surovell, J. (2017). But for the Grace of God: Abortion and Cognitive Disability, Luck and Moral Status. Ethical Theory and Moral Practice, 20(2), 257–277. http://www.jstor.org/stable/44955509. PHI 413 Topic 2