Anna Sommer Case Study

A Virtuous Perspective on Ethical Dilemmas Anna Sommer is a 23-year-old university student and single mother who has prematurely given birth to a newborn with Downs Syndrome. The moral concerns the question regarding whether or not Anna should initiate treatment for her newborn or to allow the baby to die of its existing health complications, as per physician’s recommendations. The courses of action being discussed are for Anna to allow her child to receive treatment, or to allow the infant to succumb to its existing health complications and die. Despite the physician’s recommendations and the child’s poor prognosis, Anna insists on initiating treatment for her child. In this case, the most morally justified decision is to make Anna’s wishes …show more content…
The Virtue Ethics Theory exemplifies this perspective as it focuses on the character of the individual, not just on their actions (Collier & Haliburton, 2015, p. 24). It is evident that, despite the lack of resources available, Anna presents herself as a resourceful and intelligent individual, “capable of making informed decisions” (Collier & Haliburton, 2015, p. 119-120). Anna’s character therefore reflects that of an individual equipped to overcome the challenge that is raising a disabled child, and is able to do so efficiently. Moreover, this theory asks the decision maker to find the “means,” meaning to find the balance between excess in virtues and vices (Collier & Haliburton, 2015, p. 27). In Anna’s case, what predisposes her decision is her capacity to be courageous by caring for her impaired child and advocating for herself and her child, to meet its critical health needs, as it is unable to advocate for itself. Anna is therefore finding the balance, or the means, between cowardice and rashness by being courageous. Also, when faced with an ethical dilemma, Virtue Ethics considers the role of emotions and how relationships play an important factor in decisions (Collier & Haliburton, 2015, p. 24). This theory asks the decision maker to take into account the differences between one’s relationship with their friends and …show more content…
Brown’s decision to choose not to administer treatment for Anna’s child proves to be morally unjustified. The Utilitarianism Theory calls the decision-maker to approach ethical dilemmas by employing actions for the greater good (Collier & Haliburton, 2015, p. 10). In this case, Dr. Brown believes this is achievable by withholding treatment. However, this ultimately leads to the child’s death and Anna’s inevitable unhappiness. The “greatest good” principle, in this situation, therefore contradicts Utilitarianism’s central premise of happiness. Utilitarianism values happiness as the only thing with intrinsic value (Collier & Haliburton, 2015, p. 9) yet it conflicts with the other central premise it holds of the “greatest good.” Therefore, Dr. Brown is morally unjustified in his decision due to contradicting principles applied in this situation. Utilitarianism requires decision-makers to approach ethical dilemmas solely based on consequences yet there is no way of knowing indefinitely whether or not the actions produced now will lead to positive outcomes. If the child is not receiving any type of treatment, simply based on its current prognosis, there is no way to know for certain if this decision is the most morally justified decision to make. Utilitarianism only considers consequences based on what you do in that moment and in Anna’s case, withdrawing treatment will lead to the death of the child, resulting in a negative outcome anyways. Although