Ethics Flashcards
What’s ethics
The science of morals or moral philosophy
Ethics of profession are
Principles that are accepted by any profession as basis for proper behaviour
Morality is
Moral is
Ethics are
Right moral conduct or a moral system
Moral: aspect reflecting the rightness or wrongness of an action
Interchange with the word ethical
Refer to qualities that are good and bad and conform with behavioural standards
Ethics are used in dealing with moral qs from a theoretical point of view. It’s science of morals in human conduct
Ethical norms are
Moral intuitions are
Rules or behaviour to be complied with or used to evaluate or direct human conduct
Moral intuitions are considerations mainly from upbringing, cultural background, reflecting personal experiences and feelings or religious teachings and faith
Ethical dilemma is
It is where a problem needs to be overcome or a difficult choice made using a process known as as ethical decision-making
Difference between facts and values
A fact is indisputable(objective) whereas a value is more open to question(subjective)
3 main ethical theories
Deontological
Consequentialist
Virtue ethics
Deontological ethics
Duty and obligations-
Respond to law like categorical imperatives - unconditional moral obligations
Do not consider consequences
Duty is more important than outcome
Consequencalist ethics
opposite of deontological
Main consideration is favouring action that will achieve the best possible consequence -result
Not nature of action but its outcome that is most relevant
Virtue ethics
Being aretetic - goodness, excellence or virtue
Focus is the moral uprightness or goodness of induvidual
Summary of the 3 theories
Duties and obligations
Outcomes and max benefit
Moral character
4 key moral concepts in healthcare
The Georgetown mantra
Beneficence Non maleficence Respect for autonomy Justice The Georgetown mantra
What’s beneficence and non maleficence
Act in ways that benefit a patient- patient care or interest
Do no harm
Ethics of care is
Similar to virtue ethics
But more emphasis on employing altruistic (unselfish) emotions
Humans have and in that capacity for sympathy and compassion
A good decision will involve
Systemic structure - create stages and inc analysis of what you did and why to inform future thinking
Rational reasoning -reasonable in the circumstances
Value based reasoning
Recorded decision -interventions in PMR
The 4 stage approach of decision making
Gather relevant facts (cirminal, nhs, civil law)
Prioritise , ascribe values
Generate options - cause least harm
Choose an option - justify why
Virtue based morality
The values that should be internalised are
Honour Integrity Humanity Confidentiality Empathy Compassion
Rational reasoning must have a reference to
Ethical principles
A process of rational reasoning
A combination of premises (facts)
A reference to general ethical principles
A conclusion (factual and moral claims)
Kohlberg’s stages of moral reasoning
Level 1: Preconventional: based on self interest, conform to get rewards
2: Conventional: based on conformity to social norms and expectations , good boy
3: Postconventional: centred on justice and based on universal ethical principles, conform democratic law and individual right