Short answers Flashcards
What is beneficence mean
Bene = well/good Facio = directly acting to produce a good
Explanation of beneficence
as an ideal or principle of conduct requires us to act in a way that benefits others. Beneficence involves improving the situation of other, increasing happiness or decreasing unhappiness.
Explanation of non-maleficence
involves not making the situation worse, not decreasing happiness or increasing unhappiness.
Example of beneficence
When the nurse gives pain medication to the patient who is in pain they are decreasing unhappiness which is beneficent
explain of non-malefeicnec
when nursing strike, there is safeguarding that occurs to ensure the safety of the patients. This is non-maleficence because its taking steps to ensure the patients are safe but not going above & beyond for patient care. No harm but also no increase of happiness of decrease of unhappiness for the patients.
Example of something beneficial in one circumstance & harmful in another
giving an NSAID pain medication is beneficial to one patient but harmful for someone who is allegic
what are the 2 philosophical criticism of kantian ethics
1) perfect duties something’s seem like they should be broken
2) Kant doe snot address the problem of moral conflict for example when you have to choose between 2 perfect duties
Perfect duties criticism with example
perfect duties seem like they should be broken for an example the car eof hiding the jewish person during nazi germany, kantian ethics say you must tell the truth but if you do many people will die… In this case it seems more ethical to not do the perfect duty
Not addressing moral conflict with example
kant mostly focus son the conflict between duty & self-interest but the most vexing moral conflicts actually occur from one duty to another, but no guidance is often. For example you need to tell the truth but you promise promised otherwise…
what is the potential solution to kantian ethics flaws
Weak non-consequentialism (W.D ross’ Prima Facie Duties)
Explain how weak non-consequentialism works
it solves the problem of breaking perfect duties because rightness & wrongness depends mostly on the intention but also takes into account the consequences, so in the nazi case, a lot worse happens when you tell the truth you so you don’t have to.
It also helps with moral conflict because instead of solely focusing on our intentions we can also imgienw hat would be the consequence and the moral outcome to make our decision. Duties are always done unless there is a moral reason not to. So we can figure out what the moral reason would be . We think about which duties apply to each sid e &The one that has the most duties wins
what are the 4 senses of autonomy
Free action, effective deliberation, authenticity & moral reflection
Which autonomies apply to patient & which apply to provider
all to patient, moral reflection to provider
Autonomy as free action
liberty to act a certain way without being forced. Can jeopardize internal impediments by disease or pain or by external impediments like schedule, rules or restraints
Autonomy as effective deliberation
To be autonomous is to effectively make own’s decisions, effective deliberation is necessary and requires knowledge & reasoning ability, needs to be able to understand their situation, relevant information and risks, detriments or benefits and the logical relationship between the action and outcome. Doesn’t mean it has to seem like the best decision for them, consider why they chose this.
