Under what social contracts could Wells have refused maternity? Are there any social contracts under which Dubay can refuse paternity?
1) In Lauren Wells’ choice to continue an unplanned pregnancy, and Matt Dubay’s
pursuit to not become a father, who more violates the code of “respect” from the Pan-
Native American perspective?
2) Of Wells and Dubay, who more violates the Dharma (universal law) from the Hindu
perspective? What is might karma look like for this person?
3) From the Buddhist perspective, to what degree has harm been done to Dubay by Wells
and society, if paternity is forced on him? Does Dubay do harm to the child by choosing
not to be a father? Why or why not?
4) From the perspective of African Traditional Religions, what is the most life and
community affirming solution to Dubay and Wells’ dilemma?
5)
Choose
one of the Abrahamic Traditions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) and discuss
Dubay’s paternal obligation from that perspective.
6) Which of the Aristotelian virtues supports Dubay’s right to choose to not be a father.
Which of these virtues supports Wells’ claim that Dubay should support their child?
7) Write out this dilemma in terms of Kant’s Categorical Imperative with Matt Dubay as
the agent and with the Maxim: Action-Dubay makes a legal claim against paternity;
Motive-to claim a privilege held by women who are allowed to refuse maternity under
the law
8) Wells chose to continue a pregnancy and to force paternity on Dubay. Do a utilitarian
analysis for her choice.
9) Under what social contracts could Wells have refused maternity? Are there any social
contracts under which Dubay can refuse paternity?
10) How might a care ethicist view Wells’ choice to become a mother?
How might a care ethicist view Dubay’s pursuit to not become a father?
11) Is the idea that Dubay should “man up” and take care of Wells baby a universal claim
or is it a claim relevant to culture?
12) Was Wells’ and Dubay’s baby fated to be born or was she born of Wells’ sole free
will?
How might determinism have brought about her birth?
13) Was Wells’ choice to have the baby an ethical egoist decision?
Is Dubay’s pursuit to refuse fraternity an ethical egoist pursuit?
14) Does the Dubay-Wells dilemma give more credence to moral realism or
nonobjectivism?
15) In your personal estimation what is the most ethical resolution to this dilemma?
