ethical analysis in health policy Flashcards
what are values?
one’s judgement of what is important or of worth, the assumption of which can be the basis for ethical action
in health policy and politics, stakeholders talk a great deal about ‘values,’ but do not always clarify what they mean.
when do values enter policy making? give examples
at every step (though, not always explicitly)
for example:
- when values are invoked (e.g., equity, fairness, patient-centred care, trust, transparency, autonomy, efficiency, well-being, maximizing
benefits, minimizing harms, etc.)
- when evaluative language is used (e.g., right, wrong, good, bad)
- when establishing policy objectives
- when navigating trade-offs
- when navigating uncertainty
what is ethics?
the systematic study of moral choices; it concerns the values that underpin moral choices and the language used to describe those choices
seeks to identify, clarify, and resolve questions dealing with concepts of right and wrong, good and bad
what are the types of moral relativism?
descriptive
metaethical
define metaethical moral relativism
there is no universal truth to such claims. It doesn’t “show” that there are no universal moral truths - it is simply the view that there are no universal moral truths.
Others disagree with this (i.e., they reject metaethical moral relativism - they believe it is possible to have universal moral truths). But they wouldn’t reject descriptive moral relativism (the fact that people do, in fact, hold different moral views).
define descriptive moral relativism
the truth or falsity of moral judgments, or their justification, is not absolute or universal, but is relative to the traditions, convictions, or practices of a group of persons
explains the diverse moral beliefs across cultures and people
what is the “is-ought” problem?
one cannot logically infer what one ethically ‘ought’ to do simply on the basis of how things ‘are’
e.g.
premise: COVID-19 vaccines are effective in reducing risks of severe disease, hospitalization, death, infection, and
transmission
conclusion: one ought, morally speaking, to be vaccinated
however, there is another side of thing
what is deontological ethics?
the ‘right’ is prior to the ‘good’
identify duties and reason from them to determine the right course of action
what is teleological ethics?
the ‘good’ is defined prior to, and independent of, the ‘right’
identify good ‘ends’ and reason from them to determine the right course of action
define utilitarianism
paradigm example of consequentialism, where outcomes of actions are the only factor of moral relevance
similar to teleological - good defined independent of right
the greatest happiness for the greatest
number
is indifferent to how the good is distributed - target demographic doesn’t matterr
what do ethical frameworks do? their purpose
articulate morally relevant, ‘mid-level’ (i.e., between theory and practice) values and principles and steps to apply them to
inform action
can draw from (multiple) theories, values, and principles in light of practical ethical challenges
what is the harm principle?
the only purpose for which power
can be rightfully exercised over any
member of a civilized community,
against his will, is to prevent
harm to others. his own good,
either physical or moral, is not a
sufficient warrant
what is the precautionary principle?
a clarifying amendment to the harm principle
when an activity raises threats of
harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically
what is the least restrictive means principle?
the full force of state authority and power should be reserved for exceptional circumstances and that more coercive methods should be employed only when less coercive methods have failed
don’t use the stick first. use the sermon, carrot, and then you can use the stick
what is the reciprocity principle?
once public health action is warranted…[e.g., quarantine; isolation] there is an obligation on a social entity such as a public health department to assist the individual (or community) in the discharge of their ethical duties
