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Terri Schiavo Case Summary

Decent Essays

The court made the decision in the case of Terri Schiavo on behalf of the legal guardian/spouse’s request. According to ethical theories and what is ethical correct that may provide one with happiness, we cannot conclude that Terri Schiavo was happy in her permanent vegetative state and being dependent of nursing care can be very upsetting for the many patients. Also her family and friends were unhappy about her condition. Her case was not a simple coma, yet there was no cure for the permanent vegetative state. It may have been that Terri Schiavo would have expressed the desire to not live in such a manner to her spouse, however the absence of a living will makes this a difficult call. There was a lack in the quality of life for Terri Schiavo and pain experienced by family and friends. …show more content…

According to physicians in Mrs. Schiavo’s life she was unable to function as a normal human being, she was unable to make rational decisions, she had lost consciousness and she would never be able to reach happiness. Analysis of Duty Ethics: According to Immanuel Kant “Respecting the other as a person, a moral agent, a self determining autonomous human being” (Brannigan, PG 14) Mrs. Schiavo had requested not to be kept alive with artificial nutrition or hydration and it was her husband’s duty to fulfill her wishes. All these decisions caused a lot of emotions on Terry’s parents that wanted to keep there daughter alive because of their religious point of view. Ethical Analysis Utilitarian: Also this theory will agree with Mr. Schiavo to have feeding tube

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