Given your expertise , the Ethics Board would like to kn ow your opinion on the following question: S hould the hospital release the patient . There are several questions it would like you to address . Draw from the readings in this unit and base your findings on how a liberal society, as you interpret it, should respond.

1. In a liberal society, what is the hospital ‘s duty to th is patient ? Considering the hospital’s obligation s to treat others in its care , s hould the cost of care incurred b y the hospital be a factor?

2. Does the patient’s “sovereign individualism” permit h er to e nd h er life for an incurable psychological condition ? In other words, in a liberal society, should a person be able to make such decisions? Also, s hould society hav e commissions like the one in The Netherlands regulating decisions individuals make with respect to their bodies – w hy or why not?

3. Is t he patient’s sovereign individualism affected by her relationships to her family members? If so, how? If not, why no t? Does she have a duty to consult with her mother or other family?

4. If the patient opts for assisted suicide, her organs would save and improve the lives of at least half a dozen people who are historically among the mo st underserved, African – Americans . How should the hospital evaluate the patient ‘s argument that s he is working for the greater good of society ? What kind of liberal society does she seem to be envisioning?

Use the readings, discussions, and lectures from this unit on liberalism to write a response to the Ethics Board. Consider the concepts of possessiv e individualism, inalienable rights, the social contract, consent, the balance between freedom and social order, and the role of government as you argue consider the patient’s desire and the hospital’s duties . Include a recommendation to the Board in respo nse to the question: Should the hospital release the patient?