Theory of ethics Flashcards
1
Q
Define ethics
A
What people think they ought to do and how they motivate/ express/ argue these thoughts in reflexive and organized ways
2
Q
4 criteria of evaluating moral theory
A
- consistency and coherence
- justification
- plausibility
- usefulness
3
Q
define morality
A
people’s own principles or values in making a decision about right and wrong; including acting upon these decisions
4
Q
what issues should one consider?
A
- factual
- what are the facts?
- what are your assumptions?
- always question your assumptions to test if it is true
- did action help?
- to who’s benefit?
- conceptual
- what are the concepts?
- meaning of concepts?
- concept fit situation?
- Moral
- what underpinning/ dogma shapes the judgement of what counts as moral/ immoral?
- decisions cannot be made with facts alone
- decisions need to be supported by a moral value
5
Q
What are the characteristics of moral/ ethical statements/ practices?
A
- prescription of conduct
- impartiality
- overriding importance
- independence from arbitrary authority
6
Q
HPCSA core ethical values
A
- respect for persons
- Non-maleficence
- Beneficence
- Human rights
- Autonomy
- Integrity
- Truthfulness
- Confidentiality
- Compassion
- Tolerance
- Justice
- Professional competence and self-improvement
- Community
7
Q
Describe utilitarianism
A
- consequential ethics
- the greatest good for the greatest number
- everybody to count for one, nobody for more than one.
- distance is irrelevant
- measures happiness
- is maximizing for happiness
8
Q
Pros of utilitarianism
A
- takes the position of moral high ground
- unifying and simple
- encapsulates main moral principle of equity and impartiality
- most people believe that it is correct in most circumstances
9
Q
Cons of utilitarianism
A
- conflicts with some individual situation specific moral experiences
- difficult to measure happiness
- demanding
- does not protect individual
10
Q
Describe deontology
A
- ought to and should
- the outcome is not important, instead the act itself is important
- rule and legalistically bound
11
Q
Pros of deontology
A
- intuitive knowing that somethings are morally wrong
- universal
- treats same similar
- respects people
12
Q
Cons of deontology
A
- reduces morality to rules
- is legalistic and mechanistic
- conflict of rules and acts
13
Q
Describe virtue ethics
A
- does not give a ‘formula
- originated with Plato and Aristotle; more holistic picture of morality
- ask important questions such as ‘why and which motives would a person lie?’
- what are the context, rules and reasons for behavuour?
14
Q
Pros virtue ethics
A
- considers whole person
- cultivates agency
- respect real person and their commitment to community
- it permits appropriate partiality
15
Q
Evaluation moral check
A
- what type of behaviour is prescribed/ implicated with a certain statement?
- to which extent are statements (about practice) impartial?
- what is the overriding importance?
- how independent is the process of arbitrary authority?
