Week 4 Ethics: The Four Principles Approach Flashcards
What are the components of an autonomous choice?
- Informed
- Voluntary
- Intentional
Is autonomy a binary property? What is the standard?
No, it is not binary. Autonomous people can make non-autonomous decisions (and vice versa)
The standard is substantial autonomy
What are the components of an autonomous person?
- They have the capacity for autonomous choice (though not very choice may be autonomous)
Do children have the right to refuse treatment?
No. Not at the moment.
What are negative duties?
Duties to refrain from certain actions (e.g. don’t manipulate decisions)
What are positive duties?
Duties to perform certain actions (e.g. ensure that the person’s choices are autonomous)
Is information neutral? Give an example to justify.
No. Framing is just as important as information.
Example:
Show the downsides and people are conservative. Show the upsides and people are ready to gamble.
What is nonmaleficence?
Avoid harming people whenever possible (sometimes, harm is unavoidable [think: surgery])
Should we always do something to try and improve the condition of a patient?
Not always. Sometimes, the best thing to do is nothing.
What is beneficence?
Doing good.
Is there only one possible interpretation of beneficence?
No. Beneficence extends to the reasonable boundaries of its context.
What is the difference between “medical” good and the patient’s good?
There may be discrepancies between these. Medical good is objective, but personal good is subjective and individualized.
Individuals are also weird in and of themselves.
How is beneficence a balance?
It is a balance between the patient’s medical good and their personal good.
What is the overall idea of paternalism?
Doctor knows best. The patient’s opinion is not considered important.
Does paternalism mean always acting against the will of the patient?
Not at all. It’s just that the patient’s opinion is no factor.
