Chapter 8 describes a time when there was a shortage of kidney dialysis machines for everyone who needed them. A hospital in Seattle, Washington used the utilitarian calculus to determine who would receive dialysis. (Age, health, community service, number of dependents, and the importance of a persons job were some of the factors considered.) Most of the patients who were denied dialysis died as a result. Likewise, during the recent Covid-19 pandemic, many hospitals were in crisis because of the shortage of ventilators needed for Covid patients. Similar to the situation with dialysis machines in Washington, many states had to decide on protocols for deciding which Covid patients would receive ventilators.
Assignment:
1. Review Chapter 8, pp. 247-252.
2. Write a 100-200-word response to the following questions:
Is the utilitarian calculus the best way, from a moral perspective, for allocating medical treatment?
Explain your position in terms of the pros or cons of utilitarian moral theory.
