Ethical theories in western canon

Question 1

What is virtue ethics?

Answer 1

Focuses on the question of what makes a virtuous person, rather than what it is right to do in a particular circumstance

An action is right if, & only if, it is what a virtuous person would do in the cirumstances

E.g. 1 characteristic of virtuous doctors is that their trustworthy & respect confidentiality

However, for other doctors, virtue might be that of self-education & reflective practise- including learning through sharing experience w/ doctors
-So if a doctor shared anonymous case of patient on online forum, its still virtuous?

Question 2

What is consequentialism?

Answer 2

It is the consequences of an an action that determine the seriousness of the action.

E.g. patient finding out about breach will have following consequences:

• patient upset & angry
• looses trust in that doctor
• looses trust in healthcare- results in poorer health care due to reluctance to see doctor
• If public find out about breach- they will loose trust in doctors.

However, if patient does not find out about breach- no harm for doctor to post it.

What someone intended to do, the nature of action, & how the action occurred (e.g. lying) are not morally relevant.
- Does not mean lying is moral, but the consequences of lying that are morally important.

Foreseeable consequences !

Question 3

What is utilitarianism? Different versions?

Answer 3

An example of consequentialism

3 different versions:

• Hedonistic- best consequences are those in which human happiness is maximised.
• Preference- what matters is not purely a question of happiness/unhappiness, but the question of people’s desires or preferences. What if people have mistaken desires or have desires for things that are bad for them?
• Ideal/objective- What matters is not mere happiness of getting what we want, but doing things that are worthwhile.

Question 4

What is deontology?

Answer 4

Certain acts are wrong in themselves, independent of what is predicted to happen as a result.

Such acts are morally unacceptable even if carried out in pursuit of morally admirable goals.

Which actions are right is not answered by looking at consequences of the possible actions, but by looking at nature of actions themselves

Some deontological theories are framed around what people must or must not do- a set of prohibitions e.g. Ten commandments.

• Religions
• Traditions
• Historical teachings