Question

Evaluate the following case using a) Kant’s theory and b) Utilitarianism. Then, c) provide an overall recommendation. “Harold Smith is a 27-year-old man who used to live a dangerous lifestyle. He liked nothing more than an extreme thrill, such as diving off a cliff into swirling water. He lived alone and had few friends. He worked as a guard for an armored vehicle company, a job he tolerated. He is close to his parents and would visit them frequently. They continually tried to get him to live a more standard, less dangerous lifestyle. He seemed to enjoy their prodding but simply smiled in response. He recently broke his neck in a diving accident. He was quickly brought to an emergency room and intubated because he could not breathe on his own. Within a few days, it became clear that he was permanently paralyzed from the neck down. Without a ventilator he would quickly die. Harold began to insist that his ventilator be removed, saying that he would rather be dead than live in a paralyzed state. His parents, however, instructed the health care team to not remove the ventilator. The attending physician understands Harold’s objections but believes there is a small but significant chance that Harold will soon become independent of the ventilator and that he will adjust to his situation and find a way to make a meaningful life for himself, as so many others have done before him. In short, his physicians think it best not to remove the ventilator until Harold has psychologically adjusted to his new condition. After three weeks, Harold continues to demand that his ventilator be removed” (Jones & Demarco, 2016).

Answer 1

a) Kant’s theory

Kantian deontological theory suggests that one should do their duty no matter what the outcome is thus fulfilling what they ought to do. In this scenario, the doctor’s job is to save a patient’s life no matter what the condition is. So, the doctor shouldn’t remove the ventilator.

b) Utilitarianism.

Utilitarian theory suggests that one should do things that would increase the utility or benefit and this benefit should increase happiness to more people and reduce any harm. In this scenario, the doctor’s act of not removing the ventilator brings happiness to the patient’s parents and in the long run as the doctor hopes would save Harold and bring happiness to him too. Removing the ventilator would only bring dissatisfaction and sadness to Harold’s parents and also would harm Harold.

c) Provide an overall recommendation.

The doctor considering both the ethical theories shouldn’t remove the ventilator as it would kill Harold immediately thus affecting everyone. The doctor will also fail in his duty of saving a patient. Most of the patients would say this because of unbearable pain but when the hopes for survival is there, it’s better not to heed the patient.