Health Care
Please read all of these instructions and follow them carefully.
There are 10 definitions and phrases to identify, worth 1 point each, and 10 essay questions worth a total of 20 points. The total number of points is 30.
Answer the questions directly on this exam sheet by typing in the blank spaces following each question. If you need more room, add an extra page and finish there, clearly marking which question you are answering.
You do not need to “fill up the space” allotted for each question. I merely spaced them on the pages. You do not need to write in full sentences or paragraphs. You can use phrases, bullet points or lists, if appropriate.
Be sure to
- Rename the file in the following format:
LastnameFirstname final HSM 230 fall 2021.
- Submit this in Word format only.
- Upload this under “Assignments/Final,” through Turnitin.
Name:_____________________________________________________
Definitions (each worth 1 point):
- In class, we used the phrase “secular idealism.” What did we mean by that?
- What is “Transcendence,” as we used it in class?
- What is “The Box,” as used in class?
- What did we mean by “Transitive Morality?”
Phrases (each worth 1 point):
- We talked about a book by William Barrett called The Illusion of Technique. In that book, Barrett discusses the idea of “The Doctrine of the Two Worlds.” What did he mean by that?
- Wittgenstein said to Russell “The truth is in the ambiguity.” Explain.
- “All knowledge is experiential.” Explain.
- How did I define “the Cultural Determination of Meaning?”
- What did William James mean by the “Will to Believe?”
- What is “Humanism” as used by us in class and by Ehrenfeld in one of the chapters we read?
Essay questions (points differ for each question):
- I argued that “caring” is a function of “the urge to care for the other.” In talking about “the other,” I talked about two dimensions: real and abstract on the one hand, and related and non-related on the other. Give an example of each of the following: (three points)
- A “real and non-related” other
- A “related and abstract” other
- A “real and related” other
- In class, I made the comment that “Only in our limits do we find our freedom.” What did this mean? (One and a half points)
- “Small r religion and Capital R Religion.” What are they and how are they different? (Two points)
- If we are going to solve problems of health inequity, we will need to address the structural problems; we can’t simply address the superficial symptoms of those problems. (A) Explain that statement. (B) Give an example. (Two points)
- “We need to seek righteousness while avoiding self-righteousness.” Explain. (One and a half points)
- Donald Berwick, a famous American doctor and health policy expert, talked about “the moral law within,” and suggested it should be the basis of a moral understanding of the US healthcare system. Explain what he meant. (Two points)
- In the lectures, I talked about “giving up” and “giving in.” What were each of these? (two points)
- How did I define “holiness” in the context of this class? And how did I use that concept in making my argument for acting upon our moral values? (two points)
- “We are all embedded in community.” What does that mean and how did I illustrate it in class? (Two points)
- One of the goals of Loyola University Chicago is to help all of us become a “person for others.” How does the material in this class relate to that goal? (Two points)
ANSWER
Please read all of these instructions and follow them carefully.
There are 10 definitions and phrases to identify, worth 1 point each, and 10 essay questions worth a total of 20 points. The total number of points is 30.
Answer the questions directly on this exam sheet by typing in the blank spaces following each question. If you need more room, add an extra page and finish there, clearly marking which question you are answering.
You do not need to “fill up the space” allotted for each question. I merely spaced them on the pages. You do not need to write in full sentences or paragraphs. You can use phrases, bullet points or lists, if appropriate.
Be sure to
- Rename the file in the following format:
LastnameFirstname final HSM 230 fall 2021.
- Submit this in Word format only.
- Upload this under “Assignments/Final,” through Turnitin.
Name:_____________________________________________________
Definitions (each worth 1 point):
- In class, we used the phrase “secular idealism.” What did we mean by that?
Secular idealism states that human beings can have moral and ethical judgments and ideologies without religion or another form of human beliefs (Swartzman lecture 5, slide 14).
- What is “Transcendence,” as we used it in class?
Transcendence is a form of experience that is beyond human imagination, often regarded as extraordinary. For instance, the bible illustrates various incidences of communication between God and human beings, making it a transcendence interaction.
- What is “The Box,” as used in class?
The box highlights the meaning given to life, and whether or not it is meaningful, or riddled with mysteries based on transcendent truth. One can choose to either have faith that life is meaningful within the box, or believe in the theories that support life being perfectible (Swartzman lecture 5, slide 7)
- What did we mean by “Transitive Morality?”
Transitive morality states that one’s moral priorities may act as a guide in governing one’s behavior. However, this does not form any basis for perspective views of the behaviors of others.
Phrases (each worth 1 point):
- We talked about a book by William Barrett called The Illusion of Technique. In that book, Barrett discusses the idea of “The Doctrine of the Two Worlds.” What did he mean by that?
Barret asserts that no man can be sure that he is in faith. On the other hand, we cannot say with assurance that any man does or does not have faith.
- Wittgenstein said to Russell, “The truth is in the ambiguity.” Explain.
Truth is ambiguous because of the perception the subject upholds. Truth is the accordance of the subject’s belief and the actual fact. Truth being understood according to our beliefs makes it ambiguous by not having a solid definition (Swartzman lecture 5, slide 6).
- “All knowledge is experiential.” Explain.
The truth behind every knowledge is bound on the basis of experiments. An experiment gives facts and support to any knowledge, thereby being interdependent and only conclusive if the knowledge has been supported with relevant evidence and experiments.
- How did I define “the Cultural Determination of Meaning?”
The cultural determination of meaning means that an individual and group’s characteristics and behavior patterns are produced largely by a given society’s economic, social, political, and religious organization. The prevailing culture of an individual gives meaning to the lifestyle of the person, making the surrounding culture’s individual a product of such settings.
- What did William James mean by the “Will to Believe?”
James asserts that the will to believe is the ability to have confidence in executing any task. According to James, it is the adoption of a belief without prior evidence of truth (Swartzman lecture 5, slide 6). This means that human beings can achieve whatever they have confidence in without prior knowledge of their ability on the task in question.
- What is “Humanism” as used by us in class and by Ehrenfeld in one of the chapters we read?
Ehrenfeld asserts that humanism is the ability to put the value of human life before personal or religious beliefs. It is the ability to solve the problem facing the human race, beyond the culture they embody, or their beliefs, thus having supreme faith in human reason (Swartman lecture 5, slide 8).
Essay questions (points differ for each question):
- I argued that “caring” is a function of “the urge to care for the other.” In talking about “the other,” I talked about two dimensions: real and abstract on the one hand and related and non-related on the other. Give an example of each of the following: (three points)
- A “real and non-related” other
An example of raking care of a real and non-related other is a lost child. Caring for them entails helping them looking for directions home.
- A “related and abstract” other
A related and abstract example entails taking care of my children’s children.
- A “real and related” other
A real and related care is more direct compared to the other forms of other. This includes taking care of my own children.
- In class, I made the comment that “Only in our limits do we find our freedom.” What did this mean? (One and a half points)
Although freedom may be relative depending on the perception of an individual, true freedom comes from realizing and accepting our limits. Such limits include having a perceived notion about the perfect health, flawless bodies, infinite cash flow, and the perfect job (Swartzman lecture 6, slide 16). However, true freedom comes from realizing our own shortcomings, weaknesses, and limits. Understanding how our strengths have limits and that certain things cannot be achieved overnight helps an individual develop a sense of freedom and ease of mind regarding life.
- “Small r religion and Capital R Religion.” What are they and how are they different? (Two points)
The subject of religion is a volatile issue that frequently gets catalyzed on how one refers to it with a small r and capital R. the Capital R religion is the widely accepted form of religion that worshipers gather in churches, mosques, cathedrals, and other forms of altars. On the other hand, small r religion entails worshipping Mother Nature or embracing the Lutheran religion. For Religion R, worshippers believe that there is a greater and superior human being that fulfills the needs of their followers, satisfying their egos and ambitions. Religion r live in the ‘now’ and appreciate everything surrounding them and gives life.
- If we are going to solve problems of health inequity, we will need to address the structural problems; we can’t simply address the superficial symptoms of those problems. (A) Explain that statement. (B) Give an example. (Two points)
The structural problem of the health sector poses a major threat to even the superficial symptoms that people experience. The systems of healthcare that make it hard for normal and ordinary people to access healthcare are a major threat to human life than the symptoms their experience themselves (Swartzman lecture 5, Slide 4). For instance, the issue of opioid addiction cannot be blamed on the superficial symptoms and use alone, but government policies that support pharmaceutical companies who continue to produce opioids for the profit instead of looking at the ethical implications.
- “We need to seek righteousness while avoiding self-righteousness.” Explain. (One and a half points)
Righteousness is defined from a religious point of view. Righteousness is about being in the right standing with God. This therefore means that one needs to pursue being in the right standing with God but also not to make oneself the judge and jury and deciding who is on the right side with God and who is not. Because one pursues righteousness it does not make them the judge of righteousness and therefore we should try to be in the right standing with God but ensure that we are not judging others.
- Donald Berwick, a famous American doctor and health policy expert, talked about “the moral law within,” and suggested it should be the basis of a moral understanding of the US healthcare system. Explain what he meant. (Two points)
The moral law within healthcare is about putting the priorities of the patient first and believing in the original form of medicine whose main aim is to improve and change lives. However, various trends in medicine are not only immoral but deviate from the essentials of healthcare. Many healthcare organizations are in the pursuit of economic growth, limiting healthcare access to many people who cannot afford them. In the end, it is only the elite who can afford healthcare, leaving ordinary people to suffer.
- In the lectures, I talked about “giving up” and “giving in.” What were each of these? (two points)
Giving up something has a greater sense of accomplishment than giving in. one can give up a bad habit like smoking or drinking to better their health. On the other hand, giving in entails giving way for something to happen that is beyond your control. It entails a higher power dictating the terms of the situation, leaving a person with no alternative but to give in. giving up under a person’s control, while giving in is beyond somebody’s efforts or contributions.
- How did I define “holiness” in the context of this class? And how did I use that concept in making my argument for acting upon our moral values? (two points)
Holiness entails having an unblemished status of virtue while serving other people through doing what is right (Swartman lecture 6, slide 6). It is the foundation of upright moral values that transcended beyond an individual’s personal gain, greed, and other ills, to be the best version in society. It also entails being morally upright not only to the superior being that one believes in but a reference point of good moral values in society.
- “We are all embedded in community.” What does that mean and how did I illustrate it in class? (Two points)
Being embedded in a community means that we are the product of our community, and our actions affect or reflect the values of the community. Our communities model or moral values and integrity, and in return, our actions help sustain these attributes. For instance, people growing in gang-related activities within the community have a high likeliness soft embracing the lifestyle, regardless of how hard they try to avoid it. As long as one resides with the community, the embedded aspect that the community places tend to have the upper hand.
- One of the goals of Loyola University Chicago is to help all of us become a “person for others.” How does the material in this class relate to that goal? (Two points)
The material in the class teaches about caring for others, the moral aspects of healthcare, and the moral values of holiness. Such teachings equip the learner with the required attributes to become a better person not only to self but to the surrounding people. As we are embedded in the community, the Loyola University Chicago is our community, and this course helps us embrace and service the community, and being morally upright, maintain holiness, and be in service to other students.
