medical ethics

Question 1

What is utilitarianism?

Answer 1

‘Greatest good for the greatest number’. It is consequentialist, meaning the consequences are most morally important. ‘Ends justifies the means’

Question 2

What are the advantages of utilitarianism?

Answer 2

agrees that morality is about promotion of wellbeing and that we should maximise wellbeing.
Accounts for other priniciples e.g. always telling the truth or always acting to prevent suffering.
Incorporates a principle of equality each person’s is equal

Question 3

What are the disadvantages of utilitarianism?

Answer 3

Disadvatanges:
Is it right to kill one patient to save five lives?
Demands too much
Says that everyone is equal
In principle a small increase in pleasure for the majority will override a vast degree of pain for the minority

Question 4

What is deontology?

Answer 4

Emphasis moral duty and rules rather than consequences. Deon means duty in greek. Made by Kant: morality was something humans imposed upon themselves because they are rational beings

Question 5

What are the advantages of deontology?

Answer 5

structured- right or wrong
places responsobility on the individual to uphold their actions
address motives and not just the consequences
allows choice if more than one option is acceptable the individual can choose

Question 6

What are the disadvantages of deontology?

Answer 6

depends on freedom of will and rationality are we all rational?
it is absolutist in natire e.g. do not lie means do not lie, even if it will harm someone
moral rules ca seem abstract and unable to deal with complex and moral dilemmas
two duties may conflict and there is no resolution

Question 7

What is virtue ethics?

Answer 7

Focuses on character and motivation rather than moral rules or consequences
e.g. what would a virtuous individual do?
It looks at interpretation of facts in a dilemma, while looking at the context
Reasoning by analogy rather than by deduction

Question 8

What are the advantages of virtue ethics?

Answer 8

More adaptive to certain situations

more personal than utilitarianism or deontology supports the actions done out of love and friendship

Question 9

What the disadvantages of virtue ethics?

Answer 9

A list of virtues us insufficient to justify why we should promote them
it is unhelpful in resolving conflicts
there is no universally agreed set of virtues