Ethics of Health Care - Key Concepts

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on value development, world views, moral reasoning, generational theory, world views, and the system of public law.

World view

An inner subjective system of feelings, attitudes, beliefs, and opinions that guide how we interpret events and act.

Value Development

The process by which individuals form and refine their personal value systems, influenced by culture, experience, and theory.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

A pyramid of human needs: physiological, safety, belonging/love, esteem, and self-actualization, guiding motivation.

Hume's Law (Is–Ought)

There is an unbridgeable gap between what is (fact) and what ought to be (value); facts describe the world, values guide behavior.

Preconventional morality

Kohlberg's early stage (roughly ages 3–7): obedience/punishment and egocentric desires.

Conventional morality

Kohlberg's middle stage (roughly ages 7–12): conforming to please others and obeying rules.

Postconventional morality

Kohlberg's advanced stage (age 12+): social contract and personal conscience.

Carol Gilligan critique

Argued Kohlberg's methods were biased by gender; proposed that females have a separate value-development pathway, a view later linked to Myers–Briggs profiles.

Morris Massey

Generational theory: the historical time period in which a person is born shapes their worldview and value system; 'Who You Are Is Where You Were When'.

Generational Theory

The idea that each birth cohort develops distinct values and worldviews based on formative experiences.

Traditionalists

Born 1929–1945; experienced the Great Depression and World War II; value conformity, stability, and security.

Baby Boomers

Born 1946–1960s; civil rights era, moon landings; value personal expression, idealism, health, and wellness.

Generation X

Born 1968–1989; era of social change; value independence, cynicism, and balance.

Millennials

Born mid 1980s–2000; defined by events after the Cold War; value collaboration, social activism, diversity, and global awareness.

Generation Z

Born late 1990s–2025; raised with technology; multitasking, tech-savvy, tolerant, instant gratification, pragmatic.

Moral nihilism

The belief that there are no moral truths, rules, or responsibilities.

Ethical relativism

The view that morality is relative to the society or culture in which one is raised; no universal morality.

Rape, Slavery, Genocide, Torture, Sexism

Acts ethically considered wrong across cultures; universally condemned.

Hedonistic value systems

Belief that 'is' and 'ought' are the same; focuses on self-interest with little regard for others.

Standpoint theory

The idea that adopting or listening to the standpoint of marginalized or vulnerable people yields more complete moral insight.

Private Law

Law governing relationships between private individuals; defines, regulates, and enforces rights and duties when both parties are private citizens.

Public Law

Law governing relationships between private parties and the government; concerns the state in its sovereign capacity.

Constitutional Law

National and state law about the organization, powers, and framework of government; the Constitution is the supreme law.

Administrative Law

Rules, regulations, orders, and decisions created by administrative agencies to implement their powers and duties.

Statutory Law

Laws created by legislative bodies; includes health care practice acts, informed consent, living will statutes, competency determinations, and EMS rules.

Criminal Law

Prohibits conduct injurious to public order; felonies (serious crimes) and misdemeanors (less than a year).

International Law

Regulates relations among nations through treaties, customary law, and decisions of international tribunals.

System of Public Law

The overarching framework consisting of Constitutional, Administrative, Criminal, and International Law.

Law versus ethics

Law sets the minimum standard of conduct; ethical decisions may require a higher standard.