BIOETHICS PPT 3

Ethical Theories

• Guide health professionals

• rationalize human behavior

Frameworks that provide explanations for determining what is morally right or wrong regarding human actions.

• __________ in making moral decisions about patient care by evaluating the nature of actions, motives, and consequences.

• Help to ________ and lead to justifiable moral obligations and duties in medical practice.

Deontology 

Focus on duty and moral obligation

Actions judged by motives, not outcomes

motives and intention

independent of consequences

Universal ethical principles

Key Features of deontology

• ______ and _______ are central

• Rightness is ______of ________

• ___________________ guide behavior

Social contract theories

Moral and political obligations agreed by society

Maintains order and law

Prevents unlimited freedoms that lead to chaos

Social Justice Theories

Fairness in distribution of costs and rewards

Distributive and retributive justice

teleological theories

Are ethical frameworks that judge the morality of actions based solely on the outcomes or consequences they produce.

The core idea is that an action is considered morally right if it leads to a favorable or the best possible result, regardless of the motives or the nature of the action itself.

teleological theories

evaluates moral behavior by assessing which actions best achieve desired goals or outcomes.

Ethical egoism 

the normative position that determining what is right or wrong depends on whether an action benefits oneself.

psychological egoism

ethical egoism 

________describes that people naturally act in their self-interest

_________ethical egoism makes a moral judgment that one should prioritize their own good above others'.

Aristotle's teachings,

Eudaimonism An ethical theory rooted in ancient Greek philosophy, particularly ________ which defines the highest good for humans as "eudaimonia"

Eudaimonia 

a term often translated as happiness, flourishing, or well-being.

• highest good for humans

virtue and reason.

However, eudaimonia is more than just a feeling of happiness; it is about living a fulfilling and meaningful life through the exercise of _______

Utilitarianism 

An ethical theory that asserts the rightness or wrongness of an action is determined by its consequences, specifically focusing on producing the greatest amount of good or happiness for the greatest number of people.

Virtue ethics 

Focus on personal character and virtues

Moral conduct shaped by traits, not rules or outcome

Cautiousness and discretion

Courage and Conviction 

Selflessness and service 

Modesty and humility 

Key Virtues in Nursing

Duties and motives | Consequences and outcomes 

intention | results 

Applied regardless of results | Depends on positive outcomes

Aspect	Deontology	Teleology
Focus
Rightness judged by
Universal ethical principles

Deontology in Healthcare 

Maintaining patient confidentiality

Upholding professional codes of conduct

Respecting patient autonomy

teleology in healthcare 

Prioritizing treatment based on outcomes

Vaccination programs for community health

Emergency triage decisions

Virtue ethics

Theory that aligns with common moral concern

Teleology

Action depends on outcome

Deontology

Protects individual from interference

Eudaimonism 

Promotes human happiness

Utilitarianism

Maximum satisfaction for many

Guide moral behavior

improve patient care

build trust 

Importance of ethics in nursing

Ethical dilemmas

conflicts between duties and outcome 

balancing individual right and community good 

Challenges in health Care ethics