Hu2000 week 5 assignment worksheet

Reasoned Arguments: This week you learned how to construct reasoned arguments about moral issues. Your assignment is to read the case study, identify the moral dilemma, and construct a reasoned argument. You will also respond to questions to extend your critical thinking about the case study.

Euthanasia Case Study:

Terri Schiavo, a Pinellas County, Florida woman, suffered a heart attack in 1990, which left her in a "persistent vegetative state." She was 25 years old at the time of the attack, and remained on life support for 15 years.

Terri's "persistent vegetative state" was not the equivalent of a coma, but can be defined through the fact that she was unable to eat, speak or control her body in any way. Her eyes were open, but she was not classified as being "conscious" due to the fact that she only seemed to respond to basic stimuli, and was not aware of what was going on around her (it was later determined during her autopsy that she was blind and brain dead). Her prognosis was contentious, as some experts believed her to be unable to recover, while others speculated on the reality of her condition and her potential to improve.

Terri was married in 1985 to a man named Michael Schiavo. Due to the fact that Terri did not have a “living will” it fell upon Michael, as next of kin, to determine the next course of action. He felt as if his wife had “died” 15 years ago as a result of her heart attack. Michael wanted her removed from life support because it was not her wish to have been kept alive through artificial means. However, her parents' contention was that Terri would want a chance at life and that she was capable of some rehabilitation; it was these opposing viewpoints that led to an ongoing legal battle that lasted for more than 12 years.

Eventually, Michael was granted his wish in March of 2005, and Terri's feeding tube was removed, causing her to pass away from dehydration after 13 days. It is important to remember that Terri's life support differed from the more common forms of life support in that she was being kept alive through a feeding tube. Michael and Terri's parents' opposing views regarding what Terri would have wanted garnered world‐wide attention including the local court system, the Florida Supreme Court, the U.S. Supreme Court, the Catholic Church (Terri and her parents were catholic), the national news media, and even the Pope himself.

During the weeks prior to the removal of her feeding tube and the days prior to her death, there were hundreds of individuals from around the world demonstrating in front of her Hospice facility: some in favor of Terri's right to live and others who were there supporting Terri's right to die. Toward the end of this ''vigil," the scene became almost carnival‐like in nature, and there were daily attempts by protestors to bring Terri a glass of water knowing that they would be arrested by police officers monitoring the entrance.

Marie Jean

(Continued on next page)

Part 1: Constructing a Reasoned Argument

40 points

Directions to complete part 1:

Read the case study above about euthanasia.

Research the internet to learn more about euthanasia.

C. Answer the following:

1. What is a moral dilemma?

2. What makes this case study an example of a moral dilemma?

3. Which is your position? Do you agree with the husband or the parents?

4. What is the counterposition (the opposing side) of your position?

5. What is your response to the counterposition to disprove the opposing side?

What is a moral dilemma?

5 points

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What makes this case study an example of a moral dilemma?

5 points

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Which is your position? Do you agree with the husband or the parents?

10 points

Unfortunately, it was a family matter for me taking somebody’s life is very hard . This person should stay until her last day. What ever it is her parents wanted to keep their daughter alive.

What is the counterposition (the opposing side) of your position?

10 points

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What is your response to the counterposition to disprove the opposing side?

10 points

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Marie Jean

(Continued on next page)

Part 2: Response to Case Study Questions

30 points

Directions to complete part 2:

In paragraph format, answer the questions below related to the case study. Your paragraph must consist of at least three (3) to five (5) sentences.

If Terri Schiavo had a living will, what affect would that have made on the outcome?

10 points

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Do you believe it is ethical to remove a feeding tube, put it back in, and then remove it again?

10 points

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What role did the media play in this case study?

10 points

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Part 1- Construct an argument

A- Identify which position you agree with: the husband or the parents. Your argument must consist of an introduction paragraph providing an overview of your position. (Answer in 5 sentences)

B- Construct a sound argument including premises and a conclusion. One paragraph per premise, providing the premise with supporting facts from your research. You must have at least 2 premises supporting the conclusion.

C- Your 2 premises could address:

---The role media played to influence public opinion (which affects the decision made by the court). (Answer in 5 sentences)

---The reasoning behind the decisions made by the court. (Answer in 5 sentences)

D- Your argument must consist of a conclusion paragraph summarizing your argument. (Answer in 5 sentences)

You will earn additional points if you correctly submit the worksheet to the assignment dropbox.

5 points

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You will earn additional points if you use proper sentence structure, grammar and spelling.

5 points

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