BETH371 Exam 1

What is normative ethics?

The branch of ethics that develops standards for how we ought to act (e.g. consequentialism, deontology, virtue ethics)

What question does metaethics ask?

What morality is — whether moral truths are objective

What is applied ethics?

The use of moral theory to analyze real-world issues in medicine

What determines rightness in consequentialism?

Outcomes — the balance of benefits over harms.

What is act-consequentialism?

Evaluates each specific action based on its expected consequences.

What is rule-consequentialism?

Follows rules that generally produce the best overall outcomes.

Main strength of consequentialism?

Practical and outcome-focused; useful for triage and public health decisions.

Main weakness of consequentialism?

Can justify violating rights; difficult to predict outcomes.

Exam clue for consequentialism?

Focus on maximizing benefit

What determines rightness in deontology?

Duties and moral rules

What does it mean to treat someone as an end?

Respect their dignity and autonomy; do not use them merely as a means.

Main strength of deontology?

Protects individual rights and moral limits.

Main weakness of deontology?

Can be rigid; struggles when duties conflict.

Exam clue for deontology?

Emphasis on rights

What does virtue ethics focus on?

The character and moral judgment of the agent.

What is practical wisdom (phronesis)?

The ability to discern the right action in complex circumstances.

Strength of virtue ethics?

Captures moral psychology and clinician character.

Weakness of virtue ethics?

Vague and offers less clear action-guidance.

What is ethics of care?

An approach emphasizing relationships

What does ethics of care reject?

Cold impartiality and purely abstract rule-based reasoning.

Weakness of ethics of care?

Risk of favoritism; difficult to apply in large-scale policy