Week 3

Question 1

What is utilitarianism

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What are advantages of utilitarianism

Answer 2

Intuitive, considered form of distributive justice so can deal with societies not just individuals
Flexible- considers particulars of situation not just rigid rules

Question 3

Problems of utilitarianism

Answer 3

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

Question 4

‘act vs rule’

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Deontology

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Advantages of deontology

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Problems of deontology

Answer 7

Too rigid
Allows act that cause immense suffering in defence of a principle
Duties often conflict

Question 8

What does virtue mean

Answer 8

Because its what a good person would do

Question 9

Communitarianism

Answer 9

Because it allows trust

Question 10

Principilism

Answer 10

Because it enables autonomy

Question 11

Aristotles model of ethics -virtue ethics

Answer 11

Cultivating a model character (right values)
Phronesis- practical wisdom
Often based around role model or mentor

Question 12

Advantages on virtue ethics

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Disadvantages virtue ethics

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Advantages of communitarianism

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Problems of communitarianism

Answer 15

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

Question 16

What is complete honesty

Answer 16

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

Question 17

What is a lie of commission

Answer 17

A direct statement of an untruth- saying something we know to be false

Question 18

Lie of omission

Answer 18

Omitting to tell someone something that is true that would materially affect their understanding of the situation

Question 19

Lies of embellishment

Answer 19

An exaggeration or misrepresentation to generate a misleading interpretation of a situation

Question 20

Veracity - the first principle
The last resort

Answer 20

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

Question 21

What does probity mean

Answer 21

Being honest and trustworthy and acting with integrity

Question 22

Medical integrity

Answer 22

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

Question 23

What is the duty of candour

Answer 23

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

Question 24

The GMC view

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Beauchamp & childress 1979 4 principles of medical ethics

Answer 25

Beneficence
Non-maleficence
Justice
Autonomy