5. DEONTOLOGY Flashcards
1
Q
- What ethical approach is often seen as the complete opposite of Consequentialism?
A
- Deontology
2
Q
- Why are Deontology and Consequentialism seen as opposites to one another?
A
- Consequentialism is concerned with the outcome of
the action - Deontology is concerned with the nature of the action
itself
3
Q
- What is Deontology?
A
- this is an ethical approach that focuses on the rule, law
or reason for which an action is taken - doing the right action takes priority over what “good”
result it may have
FOR DEONTOLOGISTS:
- there are specific actions that are considered
inherently wrong
- no matter what the ultimate result is
4
Q
- What Greek words does the term “Deontology” derive from?
A
- Deon = Duty
- Logos = Science / study
5
Q
- Within Deontology, what determines if an action is ethical?
A
AN ACTION IS RIGHT:
- if it is in accordance to a moral rule or principle
- some actions are morally forbidden
- some actions are morally permissable
6
Q
- What do some Deontological Principles derive from?
A
- they derive from traditions
- they can derive from religious codes
(EG: the Ten Commandments) - they can derive from Historical Teachings
(EG: the Hippocratic Oath)
7
Q
- What kind of scheme does Deontology make use of?
A
- Deontology makes use of a duty-based scheme of
ethics - this involves a focus on duty and individual rights
DUTY:
- what people must or must not do
INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS:
- what must be done or must not be done to people
8
Q
- How does a duty-based scheme of ethics translate itself into medicine?
A
IT TRANSLATES TO:
- duties
- requirements
- obligations
- these need to be followed and fulfilled without
exception
9
Q
- Who is the father of Deontology?
A
- Immanuel Kant
- he was an 18th Century German Philosopher
- he lived from 1724-1804
10
Q
- What was Immanuel Kant’s thought process about ethics?
A
- he was focused on Rationality
- he believes that we can find which moral rules to obey
by using our powers of reason
11
Q
- What 2 key imperatives does Deontology make use of?
A
- HYPOTHETICAL IMPERATIVES
- do this in order to achieve that
- CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE
- you have to do this
- this is an unconditional command
- it is a moral rule
12
Q
- What is a Moral Rule?
A
- a moral rule is one that is laid on us
- it is an obligation that is required regardless of the end
result you want to achieve - it is required by reason
- it is the rule that should be chosen by all rational
beings
13
Q
- What are the 3 Parameters of an ethical act?
A
- SELF
- are you ready to accept the same act on yourself
- UNIVERSALISABILITY
- if an act is still right after you’ve universalised it
- then it is ethical
- MEANS
- people are equal and deserve equal respect
- any person should not be used as a means
- a person should always be used as an end
14
Q
- Answer this question.
A
- NO
- this action is unethical
- you are causing harm regardless of the result
- it does not align with parameters of self,
universalisability and means
15
Q
- What are the strengths of Deontology?
A
- THEY ARE SIMPLE TO APPLY
- they require that people follow the rules
- they require that people do their duty
- TENDS TO FIT WELL WITH OUR NATURAL
INTUITION- this intuition is about what is or isn’t ethical
- UNLIKE CONSEQUENTIALISM:
- deontology does not require weighing the costs
and benefits of possible consequences - this avoids subjectivity and uncertainty
- deontology does not require weighing the costs
16
Q
- What would a rule based ethical theory mean in Medical Practice?
A
- the doctor attends to each patient with the same set of
rules - these rules are set before the consultation
- these rules are not allowed to be broken
17
Q
- According to Rule-Based Medical Ethics, how do we judge the moral acts of doctors?
A
- we judge the moral acts of doctors based on:
- their conformity rules
- their conformity to duties
- their conformity to obligations
18
Q
- What are the challenges associated with Rule-Based Medical Ethics?
A
EACH PATIENT IS A UNIQUE PERSON:
- they have individual health needs
- this means that one set of rules will not suit every
patient
- this one set of rules cannot be applied to every
situation
19
Q
- What is the issue with having only one set of pre-rules that need to be followed in a medical environment?
A
- there is not much room for manoeuvres in varying
situations - there is not much flexibility
- there is no grey scale view on the situation
- all the complexities of life are not being taken into
account - the rules and duties may conflict
20
Q
- What are the criticisms of Deontology and Rule-Based Medical Ethics?
A
- MORAL RULES CAN SEEM QUITE ABSTRACT
- they are unable to deal with the complexity of real
ethical dilemmas
- they are unable to deal with the complexity of real
- THERE IS ROOM FOR DISAGREEMENT
- with regards to what the rules require
- EG: would the rules against killing another person
be able to prohibit abortion or capital punishment
- IF YOU ARE TO RIGIDLY FOLLOW DEONTOLOGY:
- it can lead to disregarding the possible
consequences of your actions - this can happen when determining what is the right
and wrong action - this can produce final results and end affects that
many people find unacceptable
- it can lead to disregarding the possible
21
Q
- Who is Michael Stocker?
A
- he is a Contemporary Ethicist
22
Q
- What outlook does Michael Stocker hold with regards to ethics?
A
- he rejects both Utilitarianism and Deontology
- he believes that these approaches take focus away
from the person - they transfer the focus onto the importance of
principles, rules and obligations
