Ethics Flashcards
What is deontology?
Values of rationality, free will, autonomy, duty, dignity.
A patient’s right to refuse any treatment.
Is the act right or wrong in itself?
What is consequentialism?
Whether some action is right or wrong depends upon consequences.
What is utilitarianism?
Act always to maximise the greatest happiness of the greatest number of people.
Triage is an example of acceptable utilitarianism.
What is communitarianism/community ethics?
Is the act good for everyone that will be affected by the act?
Holds that current ethics is far too individualistic.
E.g. notifiable diseases and vaccination programmes.
What are the principles of biomedical ethics?
Respect for autonomy.
Beneficence.
Non-maleficence.
Justice.
What is respect for autonomy?
Respect for a person’s free will and capacity for independent decision-making.
What is beneficence?
Balance of benefits of treatment against risks and costs - acting for the good of others.
What is non-maleficence?
Avoid causing harm.
What is justice?
Fair distribution of benefits, risks and costs, fair resource allocation, social justice.
