Ethics

Question 1

Ethics

Answer 1

The branch of philosophy that seeks to understand the nature, purpose, justification, and founding principles of moral rules and the systems they comprise

Question 2

Morals

Answer 2

Ideas about what is right and wrong that guide and govern behavior

Question 3

Morality

Answer 3

A class of rules held by society to govern the conduct of its individual members, with an implied quality of being in accord with standards of right and good conduct.

Question 4

Code of conduct

Answer 4

Prescribed standards of conduct, states principles expresses responsibilities, and defines the rules expressing the duties of professionals to whom they apply.

Question 5

Moral Value

Answer 5

The relative worth or usefulness placed on some virtuous behavior

Question 6

Capacity for decision making

Answer 6

Having the mental capacity to make one’s own decision. Mental capacity refers to the ability to understand the risks, benefits, alternatives, and consequences of one’s actions.
(inferred in this interpretation is knowing the decision maker can distinguish right from wrong and good from bad)

Question 7

Consequentialism

Answer 7

A moral theory that determines good or bad, right from wrong, based on outcomes or consequences.

Question 8

Ethicist

Answer 8

One who specializes in ethics.

Question 9

Metaethics

Answer 9

The study of the origin and meaning of ethical concepts.

explores the connection between values, reasons for action, and human motivation

Question 10

Normative Ethics

Answer 10

A theory of ethics that attempts to determine what moral standards should be followed so that human behavior and conduct can be morally right.
(Typically concerns the establishment of standards of conduct that are associated with how one ought to act. This includes the study of major moral precepts such as what things are right, what things are good and what things are genuine.)
Its simplest description is the study of what is right and wrong.

Question 11

Descriptive Ethics

Answer 11

A theory of ethics involving the study of what people believe to be right and wrong, and why they believe it.
(Whereas normative ethics prescribes how people should to act).

Question 12

Applied Ethics

Answer 12

Philosophical search (within western philosophy) for right and wrong within controversial scenarios.

Question 13

Consequential Ethics

Answer 13

A theory of ethics based on the principle that the morally right action is whatever action that leads to the maximum balance of good over evil.
(Rightness or wrongness of an action is determined by the effects of the action)

Question 14

Utilitarian Ethics

Answer 14

A theory of ethics that advocates the greatest good for the greatest number
(Where the moral worth of an action is determined solely by its contribution to overall usefulness)

Question 15

Deontological ethics

Answer 15

A theory of ethics that focuses on duty when determining the right conduct. Typically based on a moral code or set of rules.
(Differs from Consequential Ethics in that the consequences of an action does not determine what is right)

Question 16

Ethical Relativism

Answer 16

The belief that morality is relative to each individual culture. What is right is one culture may be wrong in another culture. In ethics, it is a theory that concepts of truth and moral values are not absolute but are relative to the persons or groups holding them.

Question 17

Paternalism

Answer 17

A doctrine that literally means “rule by the father.” In health care, it is the concept of physicians making decisions for their patients.

Question 18

Virtue

Answer 18

A moral trait that refers to excellence and that which has beneficial quality (righteousness)

Question 19

Virtue Ethics

Answer 19

Focused on the inherent character of a person rather than the specific actions performed

Question 20

Values

Answer 20

Standards of conduct used for judging goodness or badness of an action

Question 21

Moral Value

Answer 21

The relative worth placed on some virtuous behavior

Being relative, the worth can change as the need and people change

Question 22

Standards

Answer 22

Guides to human conduct

Question 23

Autonomy

Answer 23

An ethics principle that seeks to ensure an individual’s right to make one’s own independent decisions.

Question 24

Autonomy, applied in health care

Answer 24

An ethics practice that requires the clinician to inform patients of the risks, benefits, and alternatives to care and treatment, and requires that the patient make the final decision as to what is best.

Question 25

Beneficence

Answer 25

Ethics principle of doing good, showing compassion, and helping others

Question 26

Nonmaleficence

Answer 26

Ethics principle concerned with not inflicting harm

Question 27

Justice

Answer 27

The obligation to be fair in the distribution of benefits and risks.