FULL NAMES:
STUDENT NUMBER:
UNIQUE NUMBER: 702499
MODULE CODE: PLS3701
MODULE NAME: THEORETICAL AND APPLIED ETHICS
ASSIGNMENT: 01
SEMESTER 1_2025
, SECTION A
Biomedical Ethics: A Critical Analysis of Ethical Approaches in Decision-Making
Ethical decision-making in biomedical contexts requires an in-depth examination of
different philosophical approaches that guide moral reasoning. Among the dominant
ethical frameworks, deontological ethics, teleological ethics, and virtue ethics play a
crucial role in assessing dilemmas such as abortion. Each of these theories provides
unique insights into how decisions should be made, evaluating whether morality is
based on duty, consequences, or character. Understanding their strengths and
limitations is essential for grasping how different ethical standpoints shape perspectives
on biomedical issues. Ethical reasoning does not exist in isolation but is often shaped
by social, cultural, and legal factors. The complexity of these influences makes
biomedical ethics a continually evolving field. Critically assessing various ethical
perspectives, individuals can develop more informed and reflective moral judgments.
This essay critically analyses these ethical approaches, applying them to the moral
debate surrounding abortion and evaluating their impact on ethical reasoning within the
medical field.
Deontological ethics, as developed by Immanuel Kant, emphasizes moral duties and
rules as the foundation of ethical behavior. This approach holds that certain actions are
inherently right or wrong, irrespective of their outcomes. Deontological ethics asserts
that individuals must adhere to moral principles, which are considered universal and
absolute. Within the context of abortion, a deontologist would argue that moral duties
such as the right to life must be upheld without exception. This perspective aligns with
the belief that human life is sacred and should not be terminated, regardless of
circumstances (PLS3701 Study Guide, p. 45). One of the strengths of deontological
ethics is its commitment to moral consistency, ensuring that ethical principles are
applied universally. However, a notable limitation is its rigidity, as it does not
accommodate nuanced cases where ethical dilemmas involve competing moral duties.
For instance, in cases of rape or when the mother's life is at risk, strict adherence to
deontological principles may result in outcomes that seem morally counterintuitive. The
inability to weigh consequences can create ethical tensions in medical practice, where a
STUDENT NUMBER:
UNIQUE NUMBER: 702499
MODULE CODE: PLS3701
MODULE NAME: THEORETICAL AND APPLIED ETHICS
ASSIGNMENT: 01
SEMESTER 1_2025
, SECTION A
Biomedical Ethics: A Critical Analysis of Ethical Approaches in Decision-Making
Ethical decision-making in biomedical contexts requires an in-depth examination of
different philosophical approaches that guide moral reasoning. Among the dominant
ethical frameworks, deontological ethics, teleological ethics, and virtue ethics play a
crucial role in assessing dilemmas such as abortion. Each of these theories provides
unique insights into how decisions should be made, evaluating whether morality is
based on duty, consequences, or character. Understanding their strengths and
limitations is essential for grasping how different ethical standpoints shape perspectives
on biomedical issues. Ethical reasoning does not exist in isolation but is often shaped
by social, cultural, and legal factors. The complexity of these influences makes
biomedical ethics a continually evolving field. Critically assessing various ethical
perspectives, individuals can develop more informed and reflective moral judgments.
This essay critically analyses these ethical approaches, applying them to the moral
debate surrounding abortion and evaluating their impact on ethical reasoning within the
medical field.
Deontological ethics, as developed by Immanuel Kant, emphasizes moral duties and
rules as the foundation of ethical behavior. This approach holds that certain actions are
inherently right or wrong, irrespective of their outcomes. Deontological ethics asserts
that individuals must adhere to moral principles, which are considered universal and
absolute. Within the context of abortion, a deontologist would argue that moral duties
such as the right to life must be upheld without exception. This perspective aligns with
the belief that human life is sacred and should not be terminated, regardless of
circumstances (PLS3701 Study Guide, p. 45). One of the strengths of deontological
ethics is its commitment to moral consistency, ensuring that ethical principles are
applied universally. However, a notable limitation is its rigidity, as it does not
accommodate nuanced cases where ethical dilemmas involve competing moral duties.
For instance, in cases of rape or when the mother's life is at risk, strict adherence to
deontological principles may result in outcomes that seem morally counterintuitive. The
inability to weigh consequences can create ethical tensions in medical practice, where a
