Ethical Principles Flashcards
Name each moral philosopher you’ve learnt and which moral approach they’re associated with
Kant - Deontological JS Mill - consequentialism Bentham - consequentialism Henry Sidgwick - utilitarianism Beauchamp and Childress - 4 Principles Aristotle - Virtue Ethics Eva Kittay - feminist ethics John Rawls - reflective equilibrium
Discuss deontological approaches to medical ethics
Kant’s Categorical Imperative - the action as an end in itself Any rule should be universal Based on rationality Duty based and rights base morality Rights dictate duty Liberty rights
What are liberty rights
No one can stop you having it but equally no one has a duty to provide it
Discuss consequentialism
Most common form: utilitarianism
Cost benefit analysis
JS Mill, Sidgwick, and Bentham
Greatest happiness for the greatest number
Provides inadequate protection of individual rights
What does JS Mill define happiness as
Pleasure and an absence of pain
What are the main points concerning the 4 Principles theory
Autonomy, beneficence, non maleficence, justice
Beauchamp and Childress (1979)
Distilled from Ross’ Prima Facie duties
Broad - covers many bases
Used in NHS constitution; Dr Pal: “everyday framework”
Give the key points about Virtue Ethics
Aristotle
Ethically right decision is the one that a virtuous person would make in the circumstances
Virtues are associated with “eudaemonia” / fulfilment
However Morality isn’t necessarily fulfilling
Main points for Feminist approach to ethics
Eva Kittay
Increased awareness of the disparities and power imbalances in medicine caused by gender, race etc
What is the “reflective equilibrium“
Introduced by liberal egalitarian John Rawls
Process of balancing general ethical principles with the intricacies of specific cases
When was Beauchamp and Childress’ seminal work published
“Principles of Biomedical Ethics” was published in 1979
