chapter 1: overview of ethics

Question 1

what is ethics

Answer 1

Ethics is a branch of philosophy
concerning moral considerations

Question 2

how do experiences influence ethics

Answer 2

Individual experiences
influence the set of beliefs held by an
individual.

Question 3

what is a personal value system

Answer 3

set of beliefs held by an individual. These beliefs may overlap with other factors.

Question 4

what are some external influences that can influence a person’s personal value system

Answer 4

religion
socioeconomics
family and friends
geographic location
cultural and heritage traditions

Question 5

give an ethics and expertise example

Answer 5

healthcare professionals must must acquire ethical skills reflecting their field
ex Medical assistant must be caring towards a patient in both a legal and ethical manner

Question 6

what is the difference between ethics and conscience

Answer 6

Ethics involve a series of systematic beliefs guided by society. Ethics is built into us (being intrinsic)

Conscience refers to thoughts about
one’s personal beliefs and actions.

Question 7

how has ethics been formed

Answer 7

by many great thinkers

Question 8

who were the two ancient philosophers before plato and aristotle that shaped the early development of ethics

Answer 8

Socrates and Confucius

Question 9

what was socrates (greek philosopher) known as

Answer 9

father of ethics

Question 10

Who was confucius

Answer 10

his teachings perhaps set the foundations for
organized thinking about ethics

Question 11

who was a student of socrates

Answer 11

plato student of socrates
aristotle student of plato

Question 12

when was confucius born

Answer 12

552BC lu china

Question 13

what did Confucius do

Answer 13

isolated himself, devoted to study and reflection. He was shunned and almost starved to death; his wisdom was appreciated after his death when he tried to share his teachings

Question 14

what were confucius teachings influenced by

Answer 14

influenced by the political
conditions of his region. Although respected in his
own area, he was shunned in his extensive travels.

Question 15

when did confucius teachings start getting praise

Answer 15

after his death the writings of
Confucius initiated Confucianism.
479BC

Question 16

what were some of the beliefs in cofucianism

Answer 16

Believes that people live their lives within parameters firmly established by Heaven
* Men are responsible for their actions and especially
for their treatment of others
* Social philosophy largely revolves around ren,
“compassion” or “loving others”
* “What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to
others” (The Golden Rule)
* Since you yourself desire standing then help others
achieve it, since you yourself desire success then help
others attain it”

Question 17

some quotes from confucianism

Answer 17

Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.
Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.

Question 18

what was the practice in confucianism

Answer 18

altruism

Question 19

why was altruism necessary

Answer 19

necessary for social cohesion could be mastered only by those who have learned self-discipline

Question 20

what is altruism

Answer 20

Refers to behavior that benefits another individual at a cost to oneself

Question 21

an example of altruism

Answer 21

giving your lunch away knowing that doing so will leave you hungry

Question 22

what was socrates known as

Answer 22

father of democracy

Question 23

who was socrates

Answer 23

(born in 478 BC in Athens, Greece)
He taught in the court square; he became a target of officials because of his blunt depiction of local leaders and was sentenced to death by drinking hemlock.

Question 24

why was socrates sentenced to death

Answer 24

accused of corrupting young minds of students and not worshipping the gods of the state

Question 25

what was socrates teachings centered on

Answer 25

inductive reasoning

Question 26

what is inductive reasoning

Answer 26

critical thinking moving from specific details to generalities

Question 27

what is the socratic method

Answer 27

Socrates taught by asking questions: instead of simply lecturing his students, asking questions caused reflection in a deeper and more meaningful way.-- encourage open discussion

Question 28

describe the studies of ethics

Answer 28

Ethics has different areas of study with various approaches

Question 29

what do the three areas of ethical study define

Answer 29

the types of ethical philosophy.

Question 30

what do the approaches of ethical studies present ways to arrive at

Answer 30

decisions about ethical dilemmas

Question 31

what do ethical dilemmas fall within

Answer 31

the three areas of study

Question 32

what do the approaches involving ethical study do

Answer 32

are ways of applying the area of study

Question 33

what are the major areas of ethical study

Answer 33

meta-ethics, normative ethics, applied ethics

Question 34

what are the approaches of the major areas of ethical study

Answer 34

virtue-based, duty-based, consequential approach, and utilitarianism

Question 35

describe meta-ethics

Answer 35

meta meaning (beyond) or after the ethics of ethics this deals with the nature and the source of ethics, requiring intensive examination and deep reflection

Question 36

what general issues does meta-ethics consider

Answer 36

the meaning of “right/wrong” or “good/bad,” the origins of morals, whether morality should vary for different people, etc

Question 37

what does meta-ethics not resolve

Answer 37

practical dilemmas

Question 38

describe normative ethics

Answer 38

involves the standards by which right and wrong are determined within or guided by a society.

Question 39

give an example of normative ethics

Answer 39

the Golden Rule, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (e.g., stealing)

Question 40

what are the three different strategies or subsets within normative ethics

Answer 40

virtue-based, consequential, and duty-based

Question 41

describe virtue-based ethics

Answer 41

Individual values determine ethical issues, encouraging the practice of virtues in habits,

Question 42

give an example of virtue-based ethics

Answer 42

wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice (the cardinal virtues).

Question 43

describe consequential approach ethics

Answer 43

This balances good over bad consequences.

Question 44

describe utilitarianism as it relates to consequential approach ethics

Answer 44

Case Study: Utilitarianism, the most widely known approach to this area, resolves ethical dilemmas maintaining that what is best for the majority is the best solution

Question 45

describe duty-based ethics

Answer 45

(Deontology or Rights-Based Ethics). Here individual rights are central.

Question 46

describe deontology (rights-based ethics) as it related to duty-based ethics

Answer 46

Deontology does not permit the greater good to override an individual’s rights.

Question 47

describe applied ethics

Answer 47

this involves the investigation of morally controversial issues. The issue must be controversial in the sense that there is more than one viewpoint. The issue must be classified as a moral issue

Question 48

describe how the issues must be in order to be considered in applied ethics

Answer 48

The issue must be controversial in the sense that there is more than one viewpoint. The issue must be classified as a moral issue

Question 49

example of applied ethics

Answer 49

euthanasia. There are different viewpoints on this clearly moral issue

Question 50

what is the entire healthcare profession and services based on

Answer 50

decisions

Question 51

what makes for the best patient care knowledge

Answer 51

Professional knowledge combined with skills plus a caring attitude

Question 52

what can guide ethical decisions.

Answer 52

three step model

Question 53

what does ethical decision making deal with

Answer 53

a dilemma which is a crisis or a situation in which a decision is required for change or improvement.

Question 54

who is the three step ethical decision making model adopted from

Answer 54

Kenneth Blanchard and Norman Vincent Peale, The Power of Ethical Management

Question 55

what are ethical dilemmas

Answer 55

are situations in which there is a choice to be made between two options, neither of which resolves the situation in an ethically acceptable fashion. In such cases, societal and personal ethical guidelines can provide no satisfactory outcome for the chooser.

Question 56

what do ethical dilemmas assume

Answer 56

that the chooser will abide by societal norms, such as codes of law or religious teachings, in order to make the choice ethically impossible.

Question 57

what are the questions you can utilize when using the 3 step ethical decision making model

Answer 57

is it legal is it balanced how does it make me feel

Question 58

describe the question "is it legal"

Answer 58

Typically, if it is not legal it is not ethical

Question 59

describe the question "is it balanced"

Answer 59

If it seems extreme to you, it is most likely not balanced

Question 60

describe "how does it make me feel"

Answer 60

This is an essential factor in decision making; how you feel (e.g., feeling guilty) is most likely a product of your beliefs

Question 61

how can you be balanced in thinking

Answer 61

as in the Three-Step Model), all three major areas of ethics are used: meta-ethics, normative ethics, and applied ethics

Question 62

what does decision making by healthcare professionals involve

Answer 62

intentional reflection

Question 63

what can knowing your own values help you do

Answer 63

facilitates a logical and practical conclusion and appropriate choice

Question 64

what enhances decision making skills

Answer 64

practice and experience