Ethical Dilemmas and Religious Ethics: A Critical Analysis

QUESTION

Read/review the following resources for this activity:

• Textbook: Chapters 3, 4(The Elements of Moral Philosophy Authors: James Rachels, Stuart Rachels)
• Minimum of 2 scholarly sources (in addition to the textbook)

Instructions

Review the following ethical dilemmas:

1. John Doe has decided to clone himself. He is sterile. He cannot find anyone to marry him. He wishes to have children. He knows that he will not be able to love a child that is adopted or not connected directly to him biologically. He will be making use of a new procedure that involves taking his skin cells to produce a twin. The twin starts out as an embryo and grows into a child. The child in this case will have the same genetic information as John Doe. John Doe and his child will be twins.
2. Jane Doe is eighteen. For as long as she can remember she has been sexually attracted to other females. Her parents belong to a religion that has a religious text stating that God forbids one to be a lesbian. This religion goes on further to say that lesbians will be punished in the afterlife. Jane Doe is debating whether she should tell her parents about her sexual attraction. She has not yet decided if she should come out to her parents and live as a lesbian now that she is a legal adult.
3. Joe and Mary are a couple. Before becoming sterile, they had a child. This child died of a rare disease. Joe and Mary miss their child terribly. They have heard that there is a new IVF procedure that can ensure that they can have another child. However, their religion forbids using IVF.
   Use the resources assigned for this week and additional research,

Select two of the situations above and then address 2 of the following:

1. What is the relation between ethics and religion? Formulate and investigate the relation.
2. For each case, determine the ethical path of conduct. Then, determine what paths of conduct would be unethical
3. For each case, what would an emotivism say to appraise what you determine is the ethical form of conduct?
4. For each case, would a natural law ethicist agree with what you say is the ethical form of conduct? Why or why not?
5. Articulate, explain, and evaluate in each case an approach that makes use of divine command ethics.

Requirements

• Length: 2-3 pages
• intext citations
• References page (minimum of 2 scholarly sources)

ANSWER

Ethical Dilemmas and Religious Ethics: A Critical Analysis

Ethics and religion have a deep and complex relationship that often influences individuals‘ moral decisions and actions. In the following analysis, we will explore two ethical dilemmas involving John Doe’s decision to clone himself and Joe and Mary’s dilemma regarding IVF. We will investigate the relation between ethics and religion, determine the ethical and unethical paths of conduct for each case, consider the perspective of emotivism and natural law ethicists, and evaluate an approach that utilizes divine command ethics.

Ethics and Religion Relationship

The relationship between ethics and religion is multifaceted. For many individuals, religious beliefs and teachings serve as a foundation for their moral framework. Religion often provides ethical guidelines and principles that shape behavior and decision-making. However, the relationship between ethics and religion can be complex, as different religious traditions may present diverse moral perspectives on the same issue. Some people may derive their ethics solely from religious teachings, while others may consider a combination of religious principles and secular ethical theories.

Ethical Dilemmas and Analysis

John Doe’s Cloning Dilemma

Ethical Path of Conduct: Cloning can be viewed as a potential means for John Doe to fulfill his desire to have children genetically related to him. If John Doe believes that genetic connection is essential for him to love and care for a child, he may see cloning as a morally acceptable choice.
Unethical Path of Conduct: Some may argue that cloning raises ethical concerns related to identity, autonomy, and the potential risks to the cloned child. Critics may consider cloning as an unethical path due to the unknown consequences and ethical complexities associated with creating life through artificial means.

 Joe and Mary’s IVF Dilemma

Ethical Path of Conduct: Joe and Mary may view IVF as a way to overcome their grief and have another child. If they believe that the potential joy and happiness from having a child outweigh the religious prohibition, they may consider IVF as an ethical option.
Unethical Path of Conduct: From the perspective of their religious beliefs, Joe and Mary may consider IVF as an unethical path, as it goes against their religious teachings. They may believe that using IVF interferes with the natural order of conception and procreation as intended by their faith.

Emotivism Perspective

Emotivism is a metaethical theory that posits that ethical statements express emotional attitudes and do not convey objective facts. In the case of John Doe’s cloning dilemma, emotivism may view ethical judgments as expressions of emotions like approval or disapproval rather than objective truths.

Natural Law Ethics Perspective

Natural law ethicists may argue that cloning and IVF could be unethical as they might violate the principles of natural law. Natural law is based on the belief that certain actions are inherently right or wrong based on their alignment with human nature and natural order. Both cloning and IVF could be seen as going against the natural order of reproduction, making them unethical from a natural law perspective.

Divine Command Ethics

A divine command ethicist would approach these dilemmas by seeking guidance from religious teachings and divine authority. For example, in John Doe’s case, a divine command ethicist may consider whether cloning is expressly forbidden or permitted within their religious tradition and use this as a basis for ethical decision-making.

Conclusion

The relationship between ethics and religion is complex and can significantly influence individuals’ ethical decision-making. In the cases of John Doe’s cloning dilemma and Joe and Mary’s IVF dilemma, the interplay between ethical considerations and religious beliefs is evident. Ethical judgments in these situations may differ based on religious teachings, personal convictions, and the application of ethical theories such as emotivism and natural law ethics. Divine command ethics provides a religiously-oriented approach that can further inform ethical decisions by seeking guidance from religious authorities. It is crucial to acknowledge the diverse perspectives and the importance of respecting individuals’ ethical choices based on their deeply held beliefs and values.