How to Write a Personal Case Study

How to Write a Personal Case Study John F. Morris, Ph.D. Rockhurst University Seminar in Medical Ethics PL 4700 How to Write a Personal Case Study A. A personal case involves a situation in which: * you were directly involved * you faced a serious dilemma * you actively participated in making a decision How to Write a Personal Case Study B. Basically, you write a personal case the same way you write standard cases, except with one key difference: YOU are the one who is acting! 1 How to Write a Personal Case Study B. Basically, you write a personal case the same way you write standard cases, except with one key difference: 1) This means that you are not having a hypothetical discussion but rather, you are evaluating your real motivations. How to Write a Personal Case Study C. There are two elements of human action that can be evaluated morally: 1) ACTION/INTENTION: this is the physical action that you are doing. How to Write a Personal Case Study C. There are two elements of human action that can be evaluated morally: 1) ACTION/INTENTION: some actions are always impermissible, some are always obligatory. 2 How to Write a Personal Case Study C. There are two elements of human action that can be evaluated morally: 2) MOTIVE: this is the long-term GOAL of your ACTION. How to Write a Personal Case Study C. There are two elements of human action that can be evaluated morally: 2) MOTIVE: the same ACTION can be done for various MOTIVES. How to Write a Personal Case Study This means that ACTIONS which - in general - appear the same, can have different moral worth! 3 How to Write a Personal Case Study 3) Consider this example: sign a DNR = care is expensive job is at stake want inheritance will feel guilty family will hate me not ready to lose loved one Level I don’t sign a DNR = How to Write a Personal Case Study 3) Consider this example: sign a DNR = save resources doctors ask me to patient wanted it against religion family is against it patient wanted everything done Level II don’t sign a DNR = How to Write a Personal Case Study 3) Consider this example: Level III sign the DNR = patient has a fatal pathology, further care has been deemed futile, and in fact would cause more harm and suffering than good 4 Possible Courses of Action sign DNR don’t sign DNR will feel guilty M O T I V E S care is expensive job is at stake want inheritance Level I family will hate me not ready to lose loved one against religion save resources doctors ask me to patient wanted it Level II family is against it patient wanted everything done fatal pathology, further care is futile and will cause more harm and suffering than good Level III How to Write a Personal Case Study a) In this example we see that signing a DNR using LEVEL I reasoning, or from self-interest, is unethical - even though signing a DNR using LEVEL III thinking would be permissible. How to Write a Personal Case Study In the end, an action is only truly GOOD if both the intention & motive are GOOD! 5