in the scenario assignments, you are asked to reflect on responses to the presented scenario. It should not just be writing down your first reaction or what you already know.

Reflection involves critical thinking, which means rethinking your existing knowledge and previously held opinions in light of what we have learned about theories of ethics, logic, and reasoning. You will need to question your current knowledge and beliefs. Discuss the main points of the debate, what stance you take, support that stance, and discuss the opposing argument. Also, discuss an ethical theory that would apply to defend your view.

To complete each scenario assignment:

1. Complete the entire scenario.
2. Fill out the template attached below, ask your professor for details on submission.
3. Compose the last question on the template reflection in a Word document and be sure to address, at a minimum, the following questions:

• Why do you feel the way you do about the issue presented?
• Of the four responses offered in the scenario, which do you think is the most ethical and why?
• Which ethical theory would you use to support your stance? Why does this theory work?

1. Support your conclusions with evidence and specific examples from the textbook, including a minimum of one theory of ethics to defend your stance.
2. Your reflection must be 1-2 pages in length and follow APA 7th edition formatting and citation guidelines as appropriate, making sure to cite at least two sources.
3. Review the rubric for specific grading criteria

Read this to answer

Few topics are more ethically charged than that of abortion. Both sides hold strong opinions.

Those who see a fertilized egg as a human being view abortion as an act of murder.

However, restricting or outlawing abortion and forcing women to bring unwanted children to term would raise serious ethical and legal questions.

We should keep in mind while exploring abortion ethics, that abortion itself is legal, even if only for exceptional cases, in almost all developed countries.

Our speakers today are Dr. Catherine Williams and Dr. Robin Meadows. We will begin with Dr. Williams.

Thank you. I know that this is an emotional issue, but it is very important that we protect the rights of an adult, human mother before the rights of a fetus, whose life is dependent on the mother.

A fetus, depending on the stage of development, has not developed to the point that it can feel pain or think of itself as a being with an identity, qualities we often associate with human life.

This issue is too complex to do more than skim the surface at the moment, of course, but remember that abortion is legal, and it is the mothers rights that the law keeps in mind. Surely, those rights are clear.

Dr. Meadows, your response?

We can barely skim the surface of this issue, thats true. But as long as were painting in broad strokes, lets look at the case for defending the life of the fetus. First of all, determining exactly when life begins has long been a bone of contention among medical professionals.

If we cannot be sure when life begins, doesnt it make sense to err on the side of caution so we dont mistakenly take a human life? And we do value human life. It isnt merely our job, its ethical to do so.

We should see the potential future of the life in question and protect that future.

In some cases, we might say the younger life is worth even more than an older one, because a greater potential future lies ahead. Thats why most parents would throw themselves in harms way to protect a child. Legally, yes, a woman has a right to an abortion. That certainly doesnt mean we should encourage her to have one, or that she should make the decision without access to information on the life growing inside her.

Erring on the side of caution is a double-edged sword. If we acknowledge that the mother is clearly a human life that we must protect, and that a fetus may or may not yet be a human being, then our ethical responsibilities are with the mother.

If we are speaking of a young mother in a disadvantaged situation, all the more reason for our responsibilities to be so. The birth of the child could be unfeasible economically, it could hamper her ability to work or go to school, it could bring on depression, and, in short, completely alter the mothers life, and not always for the better. Is the mothers life worth less than that of an undeveloped child?

It isnt worth more. You mention school and workthe unborn childs ability to work or go to school is completely lost along with every other aspect of a life that could have been. Furthermore, it hardly makes for a good argument that a woman can suffer from post-partum depression, when women who have abortions may suffer from depression as well.

If we value the sanctity of life, and if we also cannot say exactly when life begins, lets just assume it begins immediately upon conception. I realize that opens up many other issues with regard to the mother, but those are separate issues, and they do not directly affect the rights of an unborn child.

Now its your turn to participate in this discussion.

Consider the following responses and select the one you believe to be the most ethical. You will need to be prepared to defend your position using the concepts and theories of ethics weve learned about in this course.

• 1
• Dr. Williams is correct. The priority is the real, known, verifiable life of the mother, not the potential, dependent life she is carrying, that may not be a human being. Particularly in the first trimester, an embryo looks more like a tadpole than a human. It is hard to call it a human life. It is completely dependent and unaware of itself, and it cannot feel pain. Protect the mother. Discourage abortion, certainly. But ethically, abortion is on solid ground.
• 2
• I agree with Dr. Meadows. We have to err on the side of caution, and that means from an ethical standpoint, abortion is never right. In cases where the mothers life is clearly at stake, make an exception. Beyond that, none. The idea that a womans circumstance should alter ethics is absurd. If she is not in a position to have a child, she shouldnt have sex. Her indiscretion doesnt make her decision to kill a child ethical.
• 3
• I understand this is a complex issue, but I am in favor of an unborn childs right to life. That said, I am also in favor of protecting the rights of the mother. Ideally, we wouldnt have to discuss abortions because no one would have them. But many reasons exist for a woman to have an abortion, and without that option, a woman is put in a dangerous situation in which her body is not wholly her own, and she must suffer more for her actions than a male partner. And giving the child up for adoption isnt really a solution. We already have too many children who need homes and a foster system rife for horror stories. If it were me, I would choose life. But this is not an ideal world, and not everyone is in the position I am fortunate enough to be in.
• 4
• Although we cannot ignore the plight of the mother, we also have an obligation to protect the unborn childs rights. That child cannot fend for itself. Dependency does not make the child less human. Many adults are wholly dependent on others for a wide variety of reasons, and certainly children, after they are born, are still dependent in most every way for continued life. I accept the legality of abortion because I have to. That doesnt make it ethical. However, I am also in favor of sex education and teaching safe sex, which can lead to fewer abortions. I even understand exceptions such as rape, as the act is destructive to the psyche even without a pregnancy. Bringing a child of rape to term could be too much for some to bear, and I value the mothers quality of life even if I would also mourn the death of the unborn child. There are no easy answers, but I favor the unborn childs life at every turn, and make exceptions only when I must choose the lesser of two evils.

Rubric

PHIL 434 Learning Scenario Reflection Rubric (50 Points Total)

1. Identification of Main Issues (20 points)

Meets Expectations (1620 pts)

• Clearly identifies the main issues in the scenario
• Demonstrates a deep and sophisticated understanding
• Shows insight into complexity and underlying ethical concerns

Approaches Expectations (1215.8 pts)

• Identifies some key issues, but may miss important aspects
• Demonstrates a general understanding with limited depth

Does Not Meet Expectations (011.8 pts)

• Fails to clearly identify main issues
• Demonstrates minimal or inaccurate understanding

2. Links to Course Readings & Additional Research (20 points)

Meets Expectations (1620 pts)

• Makes strong, clear connections between scenario issues and course concepts
• Integrates course readings, lectures, and external research effectively
• Uses specific examples and evidence
• Includes at least one ethical theory to support arguments
• All sources are properly cited and supported

Approaches Expectations (1215.8 pts)

• Makes some connections, but they may be vague or underdeveloped
• Uses limited research or examples
• Ethical theory may be present but not fully applied

Does Not Meet Expectations (011.8 pts)

• Makes weak, incorrect, or no connections to course material
• Minimal or missing research
• Lacks evidence and/or ethical theory support
• Incomplete or incorrect documentation

3. Writing Mechanics & APA Formatting (10 points)

Meets Expectations (810 pts)

• Consistently follows APA 7th edition format
• No grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors
• All sources are correctly cited and referenced

Approaches Expectations (67.9 pts)

• Generally follows APA format with minor errors
• Some grammar, spelling, or punctuation mistakes
• Most citations and references are correct

Does Not Meet Expectations (05.9 pts)

• Does not follow APA format
• Multiple grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors
• Missing or incorrect citations/reference
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