Intro To Med Ethics Flashcards
What is the definition of Medical Ethics?
The analytical activity in which the concepts, assumptions, beliefs, attitudes, emotions, reasons and arguments underlying medical related decision making are critically examined.
What are the features of moral standards?
Normative dominance
Universality
Impartiality
Reasonableness
What is the purpose of moral theories?
To help up look at the bigger picture and explore why a person is good or bad
What are the two theories of right action?
Utilitarianism (Consequentialism)
And
Deontology (Non-Consequentialism)
Describe Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism is based on the belief that the most important thing is for all humans to be happy. It also takes into account the right of the individual to the autonomy of action and thought.
Whether an act is right or wrong will depend on what happens as a result of that action.
An action is deemed good if it “brings about the most happiness for the greatest number of people”.
Before deciding on an action, the person should work out the consequences of different ways of behaving.
Everyone’s need and interests should have equal weight.
What are the downfalls of utilitarianism?
You may not know for certain what the consequences of your action will be
How do you define “happiness”
Describe Deontology (duty) ethics
Right actions do not depend on the consequences.
The core of morality consists in following a rational and universally applicable moral rule and doing so out of a sense of duty.
An act is moral because it is the right thing to do and because the person has acted out of duty.
A person is moral when they act from a sense of duty.
The Categorical Imperative: act on a maxim which you would want to become a universal law
The Principle of Respect: treat humans as an end in themselves, not a means to an end (people should not be used). Each human has the ability to determine their own destiny. To restrict their freedom is to fail to respect their autonomy.
An ethical action is not concerned with what an individual feels like doing or would prefer to do rather than what they ought to do.
Focuses on rights and interests of an individual rather than comparing them with the interests of others
What are the criticisms of deontology?
Doesn’t focus on moral emotions.
Focus is solely on duty not emotions.
What is Virtue Ethics?
States that we must aspire to moral excellence
Virtue is the right way of behaving based on people making choices
To act morally we much act from virtue and this means acting with the right motivates
What is autonomy?
Self-rule
The capacity to think, decide and act on the basis of such though and decision freely and independently without let or hindrance.
Autonomous persons have the ability to formulate and carry out their own plans or policies.
What is beneficence?
Beneficence means doing good for others.
It is about balancing the benefits of treatment against the risks and costs: the healthcare professional should act in a way that benefits the patient.
What is Non-maleficence?
Non-maleficence is avoiding the causation of harm: the health care professional should not harm the patient
All treatment involves some harm even if minimal but that harm should not be disproportionate to the benefits of the treatment.
What is justice?
Justice means that people should be treated equally, impartially and fairly.
Treated as having equal worth
Treated without prejudice
Treated in accordance with fairness
