Ethics Flashcards
Ethics
the ways we understand and examine moral life
Morality
widely shared norms of right and wrong
Normative ethics
concerned with establishing standards of correctness by identifying and prescribing rules and principles of conduct, and developing theories justifying the norms
Applied ethics
involves the use of ethical theories and methods of analysis to examine moral problems, practices, and policies.
Professional ethics
ethical theories that articulate the formalized, public, universal sets of values of a professional group
Bioethics
systematic study of the moral dimensions of the life sciences and health care and involves the use of ethical methodologies in an interdisciplinary setting
Values
standards or qualities that are esteemed, desirable, or worthy of merit
Principles
standards for action, underpin rules of conduct
a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning.
Virtues
defining traits, strengths of character, standards for conduct that lead to consistent excellence of intent and human performance
ethical pluralism
idea that there are many theories about what is “right” and “wrong” (moral norms) which may be incompatible and/or incommensurable with your own personal moral norms
- Moral diversity, culturally diverse societies have various moral standards that may be in conflict.
- Divergence in values and moral standards have led to the evolution or moral thinking.
- Strives for understanding difference vs uniformity
Ethical Relativism
- Ethical Relativism
Moral judgments can be viewed as right or wrong according to the norms of a culture or society. - Different societies have different moral codes
- No direction or guidance when cultures conflict
moral diversity
an empirical reality in democratic societies where all people are free to have their own beliefs, values, and principles.
Deontology
- “the study (or science) of duty”
- The rightness or wrongness exists within the action taken, or the rule followed, regardless of the consequences of the action
- do their duty or abide by a certain prescribed set of rules, without any analysis of potential consequences of abiding by the rule.
- concerned about the ‘means’; rights and duties based on unconditioned respect for persons; doing right regardless of consequences
Kantianism
- deontology – morality ensured by following rules, using good intentions; unconditional respect
ethical theory of Immanuel Kant - Rules are based on respect for persons and action is based on moral duty or good will
- Morality is based on rules which should be followed, not on the results of actions
Deontology Criticisms
Criticisms: May ethics neglect important aspects of the moral experience of health care professionals, including moral judgments, emotions, and the relational nature of professional practice