Introduction
The work of those medical specialists who help premature babies to recover outside the womb is responsible and valued highly in the healthcare community. At the same time, the assessment of such activities may be based not only on the principles of professional ethics but also on human morality. The case presented by Elosegui (2012) and describing one of the two twins’ struggles for life is significant in order to evaluate this practice in the context of such a philosophical theory as Kant’s Categorical Imperative. Helping premature babies is an ethical issue that can be applied universally regardless of any factors or conventions, and Kant’s model proves the importance of this approach.
Connection of the Case with Kant’s Theory
Kant’s methodology is not only a convenient but also a holistic principle for evaluating an action from the perspective of moral and ethical consequences. Donaldson (2017) cites the basic rule of the Categorical Imperative, which reads as follows: “act in such a way that you treat humanity…never merely as a means to an end, but always at the same time as an end” (p. 841). This approach means that any interaction with a person, including support to him or her, is to be based on far-reaching implications. In the case in question, helping a premature baby who cannot breathe on one’s own cannot be described from the perspective of any other ethical concept. The lack of such a patient’s personality awareness imposes additional responsibility on all interested parties. As a result, the desire to do everything possible and promote such an approach as a universal form of behavior makes sense within the framework of the theory and human morality as a whole.
The desire to help the baby at all costs fits into the framework of medical ethics is a way to prove the value of medical professionals’ work. Kant’s theory confirms that employees’ confidence in the importance of their activities is evidence of the uniqueness of their beliefs. In the video presented by Elosegui (2012), one of the speakers argues that the philosophical concept under consideration implies the awareness that a particular form of behavior should be natural and universal. The global practice of helping premature babies suggests the inadmissibility of another form of morality in relation to such activities. Therefore, based on the case considered, the Categorical Imperative is an approach that proves the universality of ethical responsibility and the appropriateness of the moral action applied.
Validity of the Moral Action
The objective physicians’ actions aimed at supporting the life of one of the twins can be interpreted from another standpoint that the Categorical Imperative offers. According to Donaldson (2017), Kant’s approach does not imply religious, ethnic, or other aspects that may affect a particular decision. Conversely, providing the most effective care to those in need is a basic principle of healthcare. Therefore, the moral action associated with immediate assistance to the baby is consistent with this ethical concept.
Conclusion
The use of Kant’s ethical theory in relation to the situation about supporting the life of a premature twin is an objective approach. The universality of this practice is a basic aspect of healthcare, and the inadmissibility of ignoring the problem is consistent with medical professionals’ moral practice. Confidence in the correctness of actions proves the conformity of the considered concept to the described case and excludes any insignificant nuances and conventions.
References
Donaldson, C. M. (2017). Using Kantian ethics in medical ethics education. Medical Science Educator, 27(4), 841-845.
Elosegui, D. (2012). 22 moral dilemmas can ethics help. YouTube. Web.