Week 3 Flashcards
What is utilitarianism
The end justifies the means
Maximise happiness for most people possible minimise suffering
Whether an action is right or wrong depends on outcome not act itself
What are advantages of utilitarianism
Intuitive, considered form of distributive justice so can deal with societies not just individuals
Flexible- considers particulars of situation not just rigid rules
Problems of utilitarianism
Consequences are difficult to predict, consequences can be far reaching or impossible to measure. People have no intrinsic value in this system
In this system one person might feasibly be considered as more valuable than another depending on their ability to lead to more happiness
‘act vs rule’
Act-each act evaluated separately
Rule- extrapolate rules such that could be happy that if people generally behaved in this way, it would lead to best outcomes
Deontology
We are rational beings, rational beings are capable of reason, from our reason we can decide what our moral duties are, so from that we decide what’s right and wrong
Action are inherently right or wrong- not about outcome
The end does not justify the means
Advantages of deontology
Accords human beings moral worth
reflects how some people perceive morality places value on intention.
Offers certainty.
Don’t have to worry about probability of certain outcomes
Problems of deontology
Too rigid
Allows act that cause immense suffering in defence of a principle
Duties often conflict
What does virtue mean
Because its what a good person would do
Communitarianism
Because it allows trust
Principilism
Because it enables autonomy
Aristotles model of ethics -virtue ethics
Cultivating a model character (right values)
Phronesis- practical wisdom
Often based around role model or mentor
Advantages on virtue ethics
Phronesis seems to describe accurately many peoples experience of decision making process
Most people do report that they have role models they emulate. Developmental model.
Acknowledges imperative to improve
Disadvantages virtue ethics
Doesn’t help with decision making - nebulous
What is virtue and who is virtuous- which role model you pick
Virtuous characteristics takes years to develop
Self centred- HCP is central in model, virtues exercised in interest of patient
Patient denied agency
Encourages perfectionism-continual comparison. Role model based
Advantages of communitarianism
Supporting trust- without trust, can’t function as a society
Honesty required for trust
Being dishonest leads to net decrease in the trust worthiness of the system- therefore its unethical
Problems of communitarianism
Like utilitarianism decision making can be complex
How do you quantify trust
What is something would increase trust but would be detrimental to meeting social needs
What is complete honesty
Many of our social norms -ways of behaving in public setting are potentially dishonest
Much politeness involves dishonesty
Total honesty would pose a significant social disadvantage
Being able to conceal our feelings & stimulated others is considered a key part of our evolution as a social species
What is a lie of commission
A direct statement of an untruth- saying something we know to be false
Lie of omission
Omitting to tell someone something that is true that would materially affect their understanding of the situation
Lies of embellishment
An exaggeration or misrepresentation to generate a misleading interpretation of a situation
Veracity - the first principle
The last resort
Truth has inherent value that lie doesn’t to ‘outweigh’ the truth you need multiple other factors sufficient to outweigh this- you need to have no other option
Deception is acceptable only as last resort to prevent greater harm
What does probity mean
Being honest and trustworthy and acting with integrity
Medical integrity
Integrity can be seen as making the care of the patient the first concern in all situations even when its not advantageous to you
Self interest must come second to patients interests
Sometimes means challenging authority or system itself
As a moral agent you’re undivided- follow same principles in all situations. Do not deviate in other company or circumstance where its disadvantageous to you
What is the duty of candour
Candour- the duty of being open and honest
Legal duty for foundation trust not doctors themselves
Organisations have a duty to: inform people about incident, provide reasonable support, provide truthful info, provide apology
The GMC view
HCP must:
Tell patient or patients advocate, when something has gone wrong
Apologise
Offer a appropriate remedy or support to put matters right
Explain fully to the patient the short and long terms effects of what has happened
