I need help in understanding what the viewpoint would be of a virtue ethicist in deciding who should receive a liver transplant. There are 5 candidates:
Bob- is 40 years old unemployed, homeless with a severe drinking problem and a criminal record.He was the first to sign up for the transplant
Joe- is 42 years old, extremely wealthy business man. He was the last to sign up for the transplant. he has offered a $100 million donation to the hospital.
Sarah- 26 years old single mother of 6 school aged children
Karen- 60 years old renown Noble Prize winning medical researcher currently working on AIDS research.
Chris- 8 years old who is the sickest of the 5 and will more than likely die within a week without the transplant.
I think that my mind keeps going back to a consequentialist viewpoint on this. I think that Bob would be out for certain because his character is not one of virtue and his illness is caused by his irresponsible unhealthy extreme lifestyle. He also would not have the social support needed for his immuno-suppressant follow up care. I also think that a virtue ethicist would think that Sarah should not be a recipient because she may have problems with follow up care as well because of the 6 school aged children and only 1 income. How will she be able to contribute tangibly to society with the rigorous after care that is needed after a transplant. I am not sure if I am on the right path or not and I have no idea about the 2 candidates. My first thought is to go with the 8 year old because he has the longest life ahead of him to be able to contribute to the community and society as a virtuous human being.
Please help!!
In the context of deciding who should receive a liver transplant, a virtue ethicist would focus on the character and moral virtues of the candidates involved. Virtue ethics is an ethical framework that emphasizes the development of moral virtues and personal character in making ethical decisions.
When considering the viewpoint of a virtue ethicist in this scenario, it is important to evaluate the virtues and character of each candidate. Let's examine the candidates and assess their suitability for a liver transplant:
1. Bob: Based on the provided information, Bob has a severe drinking problem, a criminal record, is unemployed and homeless. A virtue ethicist would likely consider these factors as relevant to his moral character. Bob's unhealthy lifestyle choices and lack of social support might raise concerns about his commitment to the post-transplant care and his ability to make positive contributions to society.
2. Joe: Joe is an extremely wealthy businessman who has offered a large donation to the hospital. While his financial contribution is tempting, a virtue ethicist would likely question the motivations behind the donation. Is Joe offering the donation out of genuine virtue or to gain preferential treatment? The virtue ethicist would consider the character and moral virtues of Joe before making a decision.
3. Sarah: As a single mother of six school-aged children, Sarah's situation presents unique challenges. A virtue ethicist would consider her ability to prioritize her own health and follow up care while taking care of her children. The ethicist might question whether Sarah's circumstances allow her to fulfill her responsibilities as a liver transplant recipient and contribute tangibly to society.
4. Karen: Karen is a renowned Nobel Prize-winning medical researcher currently working on AIDS research. A virtue ethicist would likely value Karen's contributions to society and her potential for further impact in her field. However, it is essential to remember that a virtue ethicist would consider other factors besides professional achievements when making a decision.
5. Chris: Being only eight years old, Chris is the youngest and the sickest candidate on the list. A virtue ethicist might consider the potential for Chris to grow and develop morally, ensuring a longer life to be able to contribute to society positively.
In summary, a virtue ethicist would assess the character, moral virtues, and potential contributions of each candidate when deciding who should receive a liver transplant. The decision-making process would involve evaluating factors such as lifestyle choices, social support, responsibilities, and potential for future virtuous actions.