Introduction to Ethics and its Relationship to Nursing Flashcards
Define ethics
a systemic approach to understanding, analyzing and distinguishing matter of right and wrong, good and bad, admirable and deplorable as they relate to human beings
Define morals
specific beliefs, behaviours and ways of being derived from ethics
Define value
something desirable, prized, cherished, held dear; to attach a degree of goodness to something which elevates it to a place of prominence in one’s thinking where it will influence one’s behaviour
Define belief
confidence, faith, or trust in something; believe something to be the truth, an opinion (ex. the earth is flat)
What are the types of ethics?
-bioethics
-medical ethics
-relational ethics
-virtue ethics
Define bioethics
the study of ethical issues and decision making associated with the use of living organisms
many types: medical, clinical, ecological, environmental, etc.
Define medical ethics
the greatest amount of word in bioethics has been in medical ethics– evaluates the merits, risks, and social concerns of activities in the field of medicine
Define relational ethics
-requires that we focus on the relationship as a significant and central aspect of health care ethics
-claims to build upon the strengths of other ethical theories, principles and decision making models to create a more modern, inclusive approach with an emphasis on relationship
-emphasizes four main themes: mutual respect, engagement, embodiment and environment
Define virtue ethics
virtue– trait or character that is socially valuable and present in a person
a moral virtue is a character trait that is morally valued: truthfulness, kindness, honesty
What are some focal virtues?
-compassion
-discernment
-trustworthiness
-integrity
-conscientiousness
Define compassion
-the ability to imagine oneself in the situation of another
-prelude to caring
-active regard for another’s welfare
-directed at others
Define discernment
-a sensitive insight involving astute judgement and understanding to action
-allows us to see appropriate actions in a given situation and requires sensitivity and attention to the demands of a particular context
Define trustworthiness
-a confident belief in and a reliance upon the ability and moral character or another person
-entails a confidence that another will act with the right motives in accord with moral norms
Define integrity
-moral integrity means soundness, reliability, wholeness, and an integration of moral character
-refers to our continuing to follow moral norms over time
-one with integrity has the consistency of convictions, actions, and emotions and is trustworthy
Define conscientousness
-acting with good intentions, trying to do what is right, after determining what is the “right” choice of action
-involves significant effort and strong intentions to do what is right
What are ethical theories?
-ethical theories explain values and behaviour related to cultural and moral norms
-as a morally central health care profession, nursing requires astuteness concerning moral and ethical issues
Define utilitarianism
-also called consequentialism
-an action is judged as good or bad in relation to the consequence, outcome, or end result that is derived from it
-holds that no action is in itself either good or bad
-“the end justifies the means”
Define deontology
-based on the rationalist view that the rightness or wrongness of an act depends upon the nature of the act, rather than its consequences
-ethical rules are universal, and humans can derive certain consistent principles to guide action
-moral rules are absolute and apply to all people
What are ethical principles?
-a guideline to make justified moral decision and to evaluate the morality of actions
-identify ethical issues
-can change over time or from place to place, culture to culture, religion to religion
What are the ethical principles?
-sanctity of life
-autonomy
-non-maleficence
-beneficence
-veracity
-fidelity
-justice
Define sanctity of life
-preservation of life
-all life is worth living
-life is valued above all else
-the duty to preserve life
Define autonomy
-having the freedom to make decisions about issues that affect one’s life
Define non-maleficence
-requires one to avoid causing harm, including deliberate, risk of harm and inadvertent harm that occurs during the performance of a beneficial acts
Define beneficence
-requires one to act in a way that benefits others
-has two major components: do or promote good and prevent harm
Define veracity
-the duty to tell the truth, to be truthful
-not to lie or deceive others
-our society seems to think there are times it is okay to lie and time not to
Define fidelity
-faithfulness and promise keeping
Define confidentiality
-non disclosure of private or secret information about another person
Define justice
-relates to fair, equitable, and appropriate treatment in light of what is due or owed to persons
-recognizes that giving to some will deny receipt to others who might otherwise have received these things
-distributive justice– application of the principle of justice that focuses on distribution of goods and services
