Exam 1 Terms

Question 1

Consequentialism

Answer 1

The rightness of actions depends on their consequences / results?
How much good will these actions produce?
Stealing is wrong bc it is does more bad than good

Question 2

(act)-Utilitarianism

Answer 2

A person’s act is only morally correct if it produces the best possible results in that situation

Good actions should provide the most happiness to the most people

Question 3

Rule Utilitarianism

Answer 3

An action is as right as it conforms to a set of rules that guide life, which will lead us to the greater good
Ex- Murder is wrong, so make your decisions based on this rule

Question 4

Categorical imperative

Answer 4

A categorical imperative says, “Do this— regardless.” No exceptions
Absolute moral obligation
Imperative based on reason alone

Question 5

Natural law theory/ethics

Answer 5

Right actions conform to the moral standards discerned in nature through human reason
God instilled a desire for important things in humans
If an act is unnatural = immoral
Thus, since suicide is unnatural it is immoral
Universal and applies to all

Question 6

Principlism

Answer 6

Correct actions are not sanctioned by single-rule theories, but by many moral principles that must be weighed and balanced against each other

Question 7

Ethics of care

Answer 7

Good is defined as meeting the needs of others and preserving relationships
Founded in the natural human response to care for the ill and babies
Compassion

Question 8

Absolutist vs non-absolutist rules

Answer 8

moral absolutism: the belief that objective moral principles allow no exceptions or must be applied the same way in all cases and cultures

non-absolutist rules: Non-absolutist moral objectivism is the view that there is a hierarchy of moral principles ranging from higher abstract levels that include defining aims of all morality, down to intermediate and lower levels of particular values, rules, and practices.

Question 9

Kantian principle of respect

Answer 9

Central to Kant’s ethical theory is the claim that all persons are owed respect just because they are persons, that is, free rational beings.

Question 10

Teleological views

Answer 10

theory of morality that derives duty or moral obligation from what is good or desirable as an end to be achieved.
Good / bad based on the outcomes`

Question 11

Virtue ethics

Answer 11

According to virtue ethics, the character is the key to the moral life, for it is from a virtuous character that moral conduct and values naturally arise.

Question 12

Strong paternalism

Answer 12

Involves a doctor superseding a patient’s requests in cases where the doctor has determined a better course of action, even when the patient’s requests are made voluntarily.

Question 13

Weak Paternalism

Answer 13

an interference with a person’s choices or actions on the grounds that the object of the paternalism is taking an ineffective means to his ends

Question 14

Autonomy as a psychological ability – competence

Answer 14

People need to feel in control of their own behaviors and goals. This sense of being able to take direct action that will result in real change plays a major part in helping people feel self-determined. Competence: People need to gain mastery of tasks and learn different skills.

Question 15

Autonomy as a moral right

Answer 15

“Moral autonomy” refers to the capacity to impose the (putatively objective) moral law on oneself,

Question 16

The case of Helga Wanglie

Answer 16

Wanglie was in a coma, family wanted her to stay on life support, doctors felt like there was no point

Question 17

The case of Elizabeth Bouvia

Answer 17

Bouvia wanted to medically committ suicide, courts refused and said she shouldnt involve the hospital
Court eventually rules that she CAN refuse medical treatment

Question 18

Medical futility

Answer 18

when medical treatment no longer will helps their treatment

Question 19

Refusing treatment for religious reasons

Answer 19

citing religious reasons to refuse treatment

Question 20

The Hippocratic Oath

Answer 20

The Hippocratic Oath is perhaps the most widely known of Greek medical texts. It requires a new physician to swear upon a number of healing gods that he will uphold a number of professional ethical standards.
The Hippocratic Oath does not mention an obligation of truth- telling or disclosure,

Question 21

Physician autonomy

Answer 21

To many, physician autonomy means that physicians should have complete freedom to provide treatments for patients according to their best judgment.

Question 22

John Stuart Mill on freedom

Answer 22

He did not believe that such freedom was solely valuable for its own sake. He believed freedom was important for people to discover for themselves what kind of life is best for themselves.

Question 23

Advance directives

Answer 23

through advance directives or other evidence of their preferences, they can refuse treatment. legal document

Question 24

DNR orders

Answer 24

do not ressiustiate, a DNR is a medical order entered into the patient’s medical record that requires the consent and signature of a physician as well as the patient.

Question 25

Informed consent

Answer 25

principle in medical ethics and medical law that a patient should have sufficient information before making their own free decisions about their medical care.

Question 26

Waiver

Answer 26

A waiver of informed consent completely waives the requirement to obtain informed consent.

Question 27

Therapeutic privilege

Answer 27

the term used to describe the justifiable withholding of “bad” information because, in the physician’s opinion, the patient would be emotionally or physically harmed by the information

Question 28

Coercion

Answer 28

measures restricting liberty, compulsory treatment, and involuntary committal/detention of persons admitted voluntarily.