Week 1 Notes

Question 1

What is the other name for utilitarianism?

Answer 1

Also known as consequentialism

Question 2

Who developed utilitarianism as we know it today?

Answer 2

Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill

Question 3

What is the utilitarian approach?

Answer 3

The approach to morality implies that no moral act is intrinsically right or wrong. It states the rightness or wrongness of an actin solely a matter of the overall non-moral good (eg., pleasure, happiness, health, knowledge, or satisfaction of individual desire) produced in the consequences of doing that act or following that rule.

Question 4

What is the main problem with utilitarianism?

Answer 4

It can be used to justify immoral things.

Question 5

What is deontology?

Answer 5

Deontological ethics is in keeping with natural moral law and intuitions from common sense.

Question 6

What is the etymology of the word “deontological”?

Answer 6

It is Greek, coming from the word “deon” meaning binding duty.

Question 7

Does utilitarianism believe morality is instrumental or intrinsic?

Answer 7

Instrumental

Question 8

Does deontology believe morality is instrumental or intrinsic?

Answer 8

Intrinsic

Question 9

Where does the word ethics come from?

Answer 9

The Greek word ethos meaning character, customs or habitual usage

Question 10

Name some things that ethics are based on

Answer 10

Intuition 
Codes of practice, policies
Medical authority
Professional etiquette
Law 
Religion
Public opinion

Question 11

Who started ethics?

Answer 11

Pythagoras

Question 12

What is ontology?

Answer 12

A brand of metaphysics that focuses on the nature of being

Question 13

Define “absolutism”

Answer 13

Leaves little room for grey areas, believes strongly in one thing or another.

Question 14

Define “relativisim”

Answer 14

The belief that morality is inherent to the social context of the surroundings. That it is relative and not absolute.

Question 15

Define “proportionalism”

Answer 15

Asserts that one can determine the right course of action by weighing up the good and the necessary evil caused by the action. As a result, proportionalism aims to choose the lesser of evils.

Question 16

What is teleology?

Answer 16

Deontology with an end goal in mind essentially.

Question 17

What is law?

Answer 17

Law is a binding set of rules in the form of contracts and regulations, that provide guidance for health care professionals. Patients retain the right to refuse treatment under law (excluding some situations, eg. mental health), and when laws are broken it is punishable by the authority.

Question 18

What governing body has the ethics board for nursing?

Answer 18

NMBA

Question 19

Which ethical principle does patients right to refuse medication fall under?

Answer 19

Autonomy

Question 20

What is a dilemma?

Answer 20

A dilemma is a situation where you have two or more possible outcomes, neither of which is really desirable.

Question 21

When did the ethical guidelines of practice originate?

Answer 21

1953

Question 22

When were the ethical practice guidelines last updated?

Answer 22

2008

Question 23

What do the ethical practice guidelines do?

Answer 23

They address the fundamental values and commitments that relate to ethical obligations, duties, standards, law. They promote ethical analysis and decision making in clinical situations.

Question 24

What is bioethics?

Answer 24

Concerned with the ethical issues arising from healthcare, biological and medical sciences. It is triggered by, and a response to , the new scientific/tech developments in biomedical and life sciences.

Question 25

What are some examples of areas of ethical debate?

Answer 25

Termination of pregnancy, contraception
Organ donation and transplantation
Euthanasia 
IVF
Cloning and stem cell research
Genetic engineering
Palliative care

Question 26

Define “utilitarianism”

Answer 26

The theory that acts that you undertake must produce the best available consequences. The greatest good for the greatest number.

Question 27

What are some weaknesses of utilitarianism?

Answer 27

That the ends are seen to justify the means, essentially sometimes justifying horrific acts. Others include:

How do you measure happiness?
Personal choice influences
Calculating good and bad is time consuming

Question 28

What is the main benefit of utilitarianism?

Answer 28

It provides the greatest good for the greatest number

Question 29

Utilitarianism is a form of which larger philosophy?

Answer 29

Teleology

Question 30

What is deontology?

Answer 30

The theory that you are duty bound. Duty comes from relationships, eg. The nurse patient relationship.

Question 31

What are some weaknesses of deontology?

Answer 31

It is very burdensome. You are burdened with the care of any individual you have a relationship with. Others include:

Removal of responsibility with removal of contact
Can cause conflicts, eg. Two duties of equal need.
Doing the right thing in every scenario does not always have the most favourable outcome

Question 32

What is the main strength of deontology?

Answer 32

It is much more personalised than the approach utilitarianism takes, with the good for all. Others include:
Specific rules make it easy to follow.
Absolve the individual
Can be good for the individual as it provides the ability to serve yourself

Question 33

Who was the proponent of deontology?

Answer 33

Emmanuel Kant 1724 - 1804

Question 34

What is the best approach to take to any ethical dilemma? deontological od utilitarian?

Answer 34

A combination of the two

Question 35

What are some factors that influence ethical dilemmas?

Answer 35

Your perception of your level of influence
Degree of ethical concern
Past experiences with ethics
Level of clinical expertise and competence

Question 36

What are the 6 questions in the decision making process for ethics?

Answer 36

What is my duty in this particular circumstance?
Will my actions produce the best available outcome for all those involved?
Will my actions cause harm? (Nonmaleficence)
Am I going to do or promote good? (Beneficence)
Am I respecting my patients wishes? (Autonomy)
Are my actions fair? (Justice)