Moral Reasoning: Natural Law Theory and Virtue Ethics - Essay Example

(First 19 April Sullivan and Pecorino say that The Natural Law is not about what is natural is morally correct. It focuses on natural laws. An example, giving Diane a bone marrow transplant to save her from leukemia is morally right. It’s an unnatural act that is done to save lives. Another good example is cutting off the right leg of a patient who has severe diabetes in order to save the rest of his body from infection. These acts are totally different from our natural day to day responses for survival, but these are right due to the fact these both aim to prolong life.

Moreover, the Principle of Double Effect allows an action to be done with an obvious good and bad effect provided that certain conditions are met. According to the article of Quill, he gave Diane barbiturates for sleep, and this medicine has a capability to put his patient into sleep to get rid of the pain and suffering, but the bad effect – it is a main ingredient of Hemlock Society suicide. I have heard a lot about mercy killing and barbiturates for sleep are just about it in the long run.

In addition, Virtue ethics is about our very nature. We are the image of God – therefore we are good in nature. John Doe, for example, helps his neighbor in feeding their dogs while they are away because it is his very nature and he expects nothing in return. According to Hursthouse, it is a character trait of a person. The Natural Law is not based on our natural responses. It is focused on the outcome of an unnatural deed to make one’s life better in a way to relieve the pain and suffering.

Sullivan and Pecorino say that human have reasoning. Human beings are rational individuals, in that light, people can define the natural laws and these laws will guide them in their actions. John Doe, for example, drinks medicines to relieve him from pain, but taking too much of it is dangerous or even fatal. The act of taking too much medicine is against the natural law. The drug addicted persons in the rehabilitation center were doing morally wrong for taking prohibited drugs. Taking too much drug is an unnatural act, but this could not be judged as morally right because the result is obviously bad.

It’s not about stopping the pain and suffering – it prolongs misery. In the contrary, the Virtue Ethics is different. It is about our character traits. A virtuous person remains virtues even in a difficult situation, unlike the Natural Laws; Virtue Ethics is more about the very nature of human beings. It said that being good is innate in us. When we talk about killing – virtue ethics would view all forms of killing as morally wrong – there’s no exception. It would eliminate the other side of being a vitreous man.

For example, a medicine for abortion can be beneficial for a teenage girl who has an unwanted pregnancy, in the Virtue Ethics, as I have used my nature of reasoning towards this subject – is morally wrong. In our very nature, we are pro-life. In Natural Laws, killing, somehow, can be justified as morally right – if it is done to help the helpless. I am a human being like you – but I would rather support the Natural Law Theory. Dr. Quill was morally right with his decision in the light of the Natural Law.

Diane could undergo a series of very painful treatments, and he knew it would make her suffer, even to death. 25% percent of surviving from treatments would be less of value than the suffering her patient would experience. Dr. Quill informed Dianne about it, and the patient made an informed decision. She knew what she would be heading: suffering and death or painless death. Diane committed a suicide in the end, a peaceful suicide shall I say, and Dr. Quill is indirectly part of it. Was it morally wrong or right?

It is clear that the use of barbiturates for sleep is unnatural, and with a defined amount – it could be fatal. But the bottom line here is helping the patient to suffer less. It might not be for survival – but it is to help Diane rest in peace than to prolong her suffering.Work CitedQuill, Timothy. “Death and Dignity, A Case of Individualized Decision Making.” Sounding Board. University of Missouri, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2009.Sullivan, Stephen and Philip Pecorino. “Natural Law Theory.” Chapter 7.

Deontological Theories: Natural Law. 2009. Web. 19 Apr. 2009.“The Principle of Double Effect.” A New Zealand Resource for Life related issues. The Life Resources Charitable Trust, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2009.Hursthouse, Rosalind. “Virtue Ethics.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. The Metaphysics Research Lab, 12 Mar. 2012. Web. 19 Apr. 2009.Athanassoulis, Nafsika. “Virtue Ethics.” Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Keele University, n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2009.