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Ethical Analysis of the Film - John Q

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Ethical Analysis of the Film - John Q

John Q directed by Nick Cassavetes, unfolds the gripping story of John Q. Archibald, a

desperate father faced with the moral dilemma of securing a life-saving heart transplant for his

ailing nine-year-old son. The ethical quandary emerges as John discovers his insurance won't

cover the surgery, and alternative government aid is unavailable. Fueled by desperation, John

takes matters into his own hands, resorting to hostage-taking in a hospital emergency room as a

final attempt to save his child's life (Cassavetes, 2002).

This ethical analysis employs Virtue Ethics as the guiding framework. Virtue Ethics,

rooted in Aristotle's philosophy, focuses on cultivating moral character and virtues. In the

context of 'John Q,' this theory will explore the characters' moral values, potential conflicts, and

the ethical guidance it offers in navigating the complex decisions surrounding medical care,

financial constraints, and the lengths a parent might go to save their child.

Ethical Analysis
Virtue ethics is a way of thinking about ethics that comes from old Greek thought. It says

that moral character and virtues are the most important things when making ethical choices. In

the case of "John Q," virtue ethics asks us to judge the characters' deeds by the values they show.

In contrast to consequentialist or deontological theories, virtue ethics stresses the importance of

developing good qualities like justice, kindness, and courage as a key part of living an ethically

sound life. This moral theory says that moral choices should be in line with traits that make

people happy and successful.

Readings and course materials show that Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics supports Virtue

Ethics. In this work, Aristotle says that virtue is a habit that is formed by doing good things over

and over again. Aristotle's idea of the "golden mean" says that ideals are found in the middle,
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between too much and too little. In the movie, using virtue ethics means looking at characters

like John Q. Archibald and health care workers through the lens of their good traits. The ethical

aspects and meanings of the story can be found by looking at how characters show or don't show

traits when faced with the ethical problem of medical care. So, virtue ethics gives us a complex

way to think about the moral world of "John Q. (2002)" and the decisions its characters make

when they're in a tough spot (Rowe, 2020).

Application to the Film's Ethical Dilemma

Virtue Ethics, in examining the medical ethical dilemma in 'John Q (2002),' directs

attention to the characters' moral character and the virtues manifested in their decisions. John Q.

Archibald, faced with the harrowing prospect of securing a heart transplant for his son,

demonstrates virtues such as courage and paternal love. His actions, albeit extreme, reflect a

commitment to preserving his son's life, aligning with the virtue of familial responsibility.

Healthcare professionals, too, can be assessed through the lens of virtues like compassion and

justice as they navigate the ethical challenges associated with limited resources and financial

constraints.

Virtue Ethics prompts an exploration of moral values embedded in the film. The narrative

reveals the prominence of virtues such as empathy, self-sacrifice, and determination as characters

grapple with the ethical intricacies of healthcare. John Q's determination to defy the system and

sacrifice his own freedom underscores virtues associated with parental love and devotion.

Simultaneously, healthcare professionals may be guided by virtues like integrity and fairness as

they navigate the complexities of medical care within institutional constraints (Doherty, 2020).

The film intricately weaves a tapestry of conflicting moral values, presenting characters

with profound ethical dilemmas. John Q's resort to hostage-taking, while an expression of
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paternal love, clashes with societal norms and legal principles. Here, Virtue Ethics elucidates the

tension between virtues like familial responsibility and the broader virtues of social harmony and

justice. The conflicting virtues invite viewers to contemplate the ethical complexities of

prioritizing individual well-being against societal order.

Virtue Ethics serves as a moral compass for the characters in 'John Q,' providing a

framework to assess the rightness or wrongness of their actions. For John Q, virtues like courage

guide his decision to take extreme measures for the sake of his son's life. Healthcare

professionals, adhering to virtues such as compassion and integrity, navigate the ethical terrain of

balancing medical care with institutional constraints. Virtue Ethics offers a holistic perspective

on moral character, encouraging characters to cultivate virtues that lead to ethical decision-

making in complex situations (Nguyen & Crossan, 2021).

Virtue Ethics, in addressing the ethical dilemma, proposes solutions rooted in the

cultivation of virtuous character. John Q's journey, although unconventional, underscores the

importance of virtues like resilience and determination in the face of systemic challenges.

Healthcare professionals, guided by virtues such as empathy and justice, may seek solutions that

prioritize patient well-being within the constraints of the medical system. Virtue Ethics,

therefore, offers a path towards ethical decision-making by emphasizing the development of

virtuous character traits, ultimately contributing to the resolution of the ethical dilemmas

portrayed in 'John Q (2002).'

Reflection
In summary, the article examines the moral elements of people confronting a life-or-

death medical decision via the perspective of Virtue Ethics. It delves into the attributes of

bravery, compassion, and determination shown in John Q's extraordinary activities, as well as the
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ethical issues for healthcare practitioners managing societal limits. The study emphasizes how

opposing moral principles, such as family obligation vs society standards, contribute to the film's

ethical complexity.

Reflecting on this ethical study, I've gained a better grasp of how Virtue Ethics provides a

complete framework for analyzing moral character and decision-making in difficult

circumstances. It stresses the necessity of nurturing virtues such as honesty, empathy, and

resilience, acknowledging their function in leading persons through ethical quandaries. Applying

these lessons to my work and personal life entails intentionally infusing values into decision-

making processes. Prioritizing qualities such as honesty and empathy may improve ethical

thinking in the workplace, producing a more compassionate and principled approach. On a

personal level, the study promotes thought on how virtues might influence reactions to

adversities, resulting in a more ethically grounded and balanced existence.

To sum up, using Virtue Ethics to analyze "John Q. (2002)" sheds light on the film's

moral environment by showing the good and bad choices that its characters make. We learn more

about how to make ethical decisions when we look into things like family duty, social rules, and

systemic problems. This shows how important ethical ideas are for figuring out hard problems

that people face. "John Q" is a powerful reminder of how complicated ethics can be in

healthcare. It also shows how important ethical theories are for understanding the complicated

web of moral decisions we make in personal and social settings.

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References
Cassavetes, N. (Director). (2002). John Q [Motion picture]. United States: New Line Cinema.

Doherty, R. F. (2020). Ethical dimensions in the health professions-e-book. Elsevier Health

Sciences.

Nguyen, B., & Crossan, M. (2021). Character-infused ethical decision making. Journal of

Business Ethics, 1-21.

Rowe, C. J. (2020). The Eudemian and Nicomachean Ethics: a study in the development of

Aristotle's thought. The Eudemian and Nicomachean Ethics, 1-123.