ethics

Question 1

define ethics

Answer 1

Ethics is the attempt to arrive at an understanding of the nature of human values, of how we ought to live and of what constitutes right conduct.

Question 2

what are the rivals to ethics

Answer 2

Law
Codes of ethics
Religious or cultural beliefs
Personal conscience

Question 3

what is a top down ethical argument

Answer 3

where one specific ethical theory is consistently applied to each problem

Question 4

what is a bottom up inductive ethical theory

Answer 4

using past medical problems to create guides to practice

Question 5

what is the doctrine of dual effect

Answer 5

If you administer a drug to relieve pain in doses that you know may be fatal, then provided your intention is not to shorten life but to relieve pain, the administration is not unlawful.

Normally, if you carry out an action knowing that X is a likely consequence of that act then the law regards you as intending to cause X.

Question 6

what are the four pillars of healthcare ethics

Answer 6

Autonomy - patient as ends not means to an end, allowing a patient to make a rational and informed decision
Beneficence – doing the right thing, to benefit other
Non-maleficence – preventing harm, reducing harm and doing no harm
Justice – being fair

Question 7

what is a utilitarian approach to ethics

Answer 7

An act is evaluated solely in terms of its consequences. It acts to maximise good e.g. killing one to save many.

Question 8

what is a deontological approach to ethics

Answer 8

The theory that the features of the act themselves that determine worthiness.