Bioethics Chapter 1: Moral Reasoning in Bioethics

Flashcards testing key concepts, terms, arguments, and critical thinking obstacles from Chapter 1 of Lewis Vaughn's Bioethics (6th Edition).

What is the definition of morality?

Beliefs regarding morally right and wrong actions and morally good or bad persons or character.

How is ethics (moral philosophy) defined?

The study of morality using the tools and methods of philosophy.

What is normative ethics?

The search for, and justification of, moral standards or norms.

What is metaethics?

The study of the meaning and justification of basic moral beliefs.

What is applied ethics?

The use of moral norms and concepts to resolve practical moral issues.

What is bioethics?

Applied ethics focused on health care, medical research, and medical technology.

What is meant by normative dominance in the context of moral norms?

The feature that moral norms take precedence over other kinds of norms.

What does universality mean regarding moral principles?

Moral principles or judgments apply in all relevantly similar situations.

What is impartiality in moral life?

The requirement that everyone should be considered equal and everyone's interests should count the same.

How do obligations differ from values in moral experience?

Obligations concern actions we have a duty to perform (what actions are right or wrong), while values concern things (persons, characters, motives) judged to be morally good or bad.

What is the difference between an absolute and a prima facie moral principle?

An absolute principle applies without exceptions, whereas a prima facie principle applies in all cases unless an exception is warranted.

How is autonomy defined in bioethics?

Respect for people's rational capacity for self-determination, which is the ability to direct their own lives and choose for themselves.

What is the principle of nonmaleficence?

The moral obligation not to cause unnecessary harm to others.

What is the principle of beneficence?

The moral obligation to do good to others and prevent or remove harm.

What does the principle of utility state?

We should produce the most favorable balance of good over bad for all concerned.

What is the bioethical principle of justice?

Treating people fairly so that they get their due.

What is moral objectivism?

The view that there are moral norms or principles that are valid or true for everyone.

What is ethical relativism?

The view that moral standards are not objective but relative to what individuals or cultures believe.

What is subjective relativism?

The view that right actions are those sanctioned by a person.

What is cultural relativism?

The view that right actions are those sanctioned by one's culture.

What are two major objections to subjective relativism?

It implies that individuals are morally infallible and that moral disagreement is an illusion.

Why is Premise 1 of the argument for cultural relativism considered false?

Because cultural divergence in moral beliefs does not entail that there is no objective truth, and conflict between moral beliefs does not entail conflict between moral norms.

What implications make cultural relativism objectionable?

It implies cultures are morally infallible, prevents legitimate criticism of other cultures, makes moral progress impossible, implies moral reformers are never right, and is incompatible with universal tolerance.

What is Divine Command Theory (DCT)?

The view that right actions are those commanded by God, and wrong actions are those forbidden by God.

What two options form the Euthyphro dilemma?

Whether (1) actions are morally right because God commands them (which implies morality is arbitrary), or (2) God commands them because they are morally right (which makes morality independent of God's will and rejects DCT).

In logic, what is a statement?

An assertion that something is or is not the case, making it an utterance that is either true or false.

What two elements are required for a good argument in philosophy?

Solid logic and true premises.

What defines a deductive argument?

An argument intended to give logically conclusive support to its conclusion such that if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true.

When is a deductive argument considered sound?

When it has proper logical structure (is valid) and contains true premises.

What defines an inductive argument?

An argument intended to give probable support to its conclusion.

When is an inductive argument considered cogent?

When it successfully gives very probable support to its conclusion (is strong) and has true premises.

What key premises must be included in a moral argument?

At least one moral premise (asserting a general moral norm) and at least one nonmoral premise (describing an action or circumstance).

What is denying contrary evidence?

Refusing to accept or acknowledge evidence that undermines our existing beliefs.

What is confirmation bias?

Seeking out and using only evidence that confirms our existing views.

What is motivated reasoning?

Reasoning for the purpose of supporting a predetermined conclusion, not to uncover the truth.

What is the availability error?

Relying on evidence not because it is trustworthy but because it is memorable or striking.

What is the Dunning-Kruger effect?

The phenomenon of being ignorant of how ignorant we are.