Ethics Exam #1 - Intro/Theories and Principle

What is deontology the study of?

study of duty

What is the normative theory regarding which choices are morally required, forbidden, or permitted?

deontology

What is deontology focused on?

duties and rules to distinguish right from wrong

Does deontology weigh the consequences or cost/benefit?

no

In deontology, do the ends justify the means?

no - the ends do not justify the means

What does utilitarianism promote?

promotes the greatest good and to produce the least amount of harm possible in a situation

What question is asked in utilitarianism?

what would bring about the best consequences?

In what theory are acts right or wrong depending on the consequences they produce?

utilitarianism

What is principlism?

rule based reasoning, approaches a dilemma by asking two questions

What two questions are asked with principlism?

1. what is the highest principle (rule) that should be followed?
2. what is the one principle that should never be violated?

What is autonomy?

the respect for as unique individuals

self determination =

autonomy

freedom of choice =

autonomy

individual liberty =

autonomy

What must we accept in regards to autonomy?

we must accept free and informed decisions

What is informed consent?

respecting a person's autonomy to make personal choices based on the appropriate appraisal of info about the actual or potential circumstances of a situation

What are the different aspects of principlism?

1. autonomy
2. beneficence
3. nonmaleficence
4. justice

Do good =

beneficence

What is beneficence?

actions to benefit and promote the welfare of other people
1. promoting good and preventing harm
2. protect and defend the rights of others
3. prevent harm from occurring to others
4. remove conditions that will cause harm to others
5. help persons with disabilities
6. rescue persons in danger

One ought not to inflict evil or harm =

nonmaleficence

Rule of double effects =

nonmaleficence

What is the rule of double effects?

1. a single act can have two foreseen effects
2. to be justified - good effects must be intended and harmful effects must not be pursued

What is justice?

consideration of fair distribution of burdens and benefits, or consideration of what is due or owed to others

Fair/equitable treatment =

justice

individual vs. society =

justice

Equal share =

distributive justice - scarcity and competition

What is virtue ethics?

what sort of person must I be to be an excellent person?

What is asked in virtue ethics?

1. what would a good nurse (clinician, teacher, physician, etc.) do in this circumstance?
2. how can I be a good person if I don't know what the right thing to do is

What are the different virtues?

1. fidelity
2. veracity
3. loyalty
4. non-abandonment
5. confidentiality
6. clinical competence

What does the care based approach ask?

what would I want done for myself or family member in a similar circumstance?

Compassion =

care-based approach

Sympathy =

care-based approach

Concern for wellbeing =

care-based approach

What does the casuistry approach involve?

involves analyzing a moral dilemma or case by comparing it to other well known and ethically scrutinized scenarios, so called "paradigm cases"

Paradigm cases

serve as ethical guide posts in a sense, similar to precedent cases in the law and classic clinical case presentations

Why are ethical problems a dilemma?

1. multiple possibilities, but none are satisfying
2. given the situation, there is one party that will feel their viewpoints aren't being seen or heard
3. choice between equally unsatisfactory alternatives
4. involve conflicting moral claims
5. difficult problems seemingly incapable of satisfactory solution

What are clinical ethics?

involves patients and patient care