Ethics and Medical Philosophy Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering general ethical theories, utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, medical ethics, and legal rulings on reproductive rights from the provided lecture transcript.

Ethics

Someone's Moral Code that they follow.

Ethical Relativism

A concept suggesting there are no objective truths, including perspectives like Conventionalism and Subjectualism.

Conventionalism

A type of ethical relativism that focuses on a group or culture/upbringing.

Subjectualism

A type of ethical relativism based on the individual's feelings and perspective.

Ethical Egoism

The belief that an individual should act in their own self-interest and put their own needs first.

Psychological Egoism

The theory that people naturally behave in a self-interested way; it describes what a person does rather than what they should do.

Self-interest

Actions that do not harm other people.

Selfishness

Actions that do harm other people.

Hedonism

Making decisions that will give you the most pleasure.

Utilitarianism

An ethical theory focusing on what makes the largest number of people happy.

Higher Pleasures

Pleasures described by Mill as being intellectual in nature.

Lower Pleasures

Pleasures described by Mill as being physical in nature.

Act Utilitarianism

The belief that an act is right if the outcome maximizes happiness for everyone.

Rule Utilitarianism

The belief that an act is right if it follows a general consensus or rule that minimizes harm and maximizes happiness for the most people.

Hedonic Calculus

A scale or formula developed by Jermey Benthal used to distinguish between pleasures.

Divine Command Theory

The ethical framework based on the duty to obey God's commands.

Eudaemonia

The term used by Aristotle to describe ultimate happiness through developing good character.

Golden Mean

The middle ground for virtue between excess and deficiency.

Categorical Imperative

A principle proposing that acts are right if and only if they can be universal laws of nature applied to everyone equally.

Universalizability Principle

Kant's idea that if an action is right for one person, everyone else has that same right.

Formula of Humanity

The principle that people should not be treated as a means to an end, but as ends in themselves.

Autonomy

The right to govern your own body and make your own decisions.

Virtue Ethics

An ethical theory that focuses on what a person should be and doing the right things to live a fulfilling life.

Continent People

People who have the same desires as incontinent people but possess the self-control to act correctly.

Incontinent People

People who do not have self-control.

Active Euthanasia

A procedure like a lethal injection used to end a patient's life.

Passive Euthanasia

Stopping or withholding treatment to prevent the delay of death.

Justice (Medical Ethics)

The principle of treating patients fairly and distributing resources equally.

Nonmaleficence

The ethical principle of doing no harm and avoiding evil.

Beneficence

Acting in the patient's best interest and promoting good.

Informed Consent

A conversation where factors like risks, diagnosis, benefits, alternatives, cost, and the chance to ask questions are disclosed.

Voluntary Euthanasia

When a patient chooses to end their life their own wishes.

Non-voluntary Euthanasia

When a patient cannot decide for themselves, such as being in a coma.

Involuntary Euthanasia

Ending a patient's life against their wishes.

Paternalism

When a healthcare provider makes decisions for a patient for their own good, even if the patient does not want it.

Principle of Double Effect

Allows an action with both a good and bad effect as long as the bad effect is not intended.

Health Surrogate

A decision maker who advocates for a patient when the patient cannot communicate for themselves.

Disease

A deficit in physical, physiological, or psychological functions depending on societal or individual expectations.

Microallocation

The distribution of medical resources at the level of hospitals, clinics, and individual patients.

Withholding Care

The decision not to start a treatment for a patient.

Withdrawing Care

Stopping a treatment that has already started.

Oregon Physician-Assisted Suicide Requirements

Must be at least $18$ years old, competent, diagnosed with a terminal illness ($6$ months or less), and make two verbal and one written request.

Advance Directives

Legal documents like wills or Power of Attorney that communicate a person's preferences when they cannot communicate.

Stages of End-of-Life (Kubler Ross)

Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.

Undue Burden Standard

Established in Planned Parenthood vs. Casey, allowing states to regulate abortion as long as they do not place a substantial obstacle in the way of a woman seeking one.

Right to Privacy

The broader constitutional right associated with Roe v. Wade that covers personal decision-making, bodily control, and reproductive rights.