Factors and Foundations of Equity and Dignity

Factors and Foundations

• Equity and Dignity: These are central themes in the discussion of morality and ethics in decision-making.

Three Main Parts

• I. Moral Factors and Foundations
  • Review of factors: Framework for understanding ethical decisions.
  • Role of foundational theories: Understanding underlying principles that guide moral reasoning.
  • Example 1: Allocation of scarce resources
  • Example 2: Street checks

Fundamental Questions for Normative Ethics

• Which factors are morally relevant?
• How do those factors interact to determine an overall moral status?

Moral Status

• Definition: A final verdict regarding the moral quality of an act.
• Moral Factors: Any facts relevant to an act’s moral status.
• Examples:
  • Life saved
  • Personal risk
  • Ownership considerations (e.g., “Not my boat”)

The “Big Three” Foundational Theories

1. Consequentialism
   • Focuses on the outcomes (goodness or badness) of actions.
   • Interaction through cost/benefit analysis.
2. Deontology
   • Considers intrinsic normative factors (rights and duties).
   • Establishes side constraints against certain actions.
3. Virtue Ethics
   • Focuses on character and virtues rather than solely on actions or outcomes.

Theories on Factors and Interaction

• Consequentialism: Only outcomes matter (good/bad results).
• Deontology: Involves rights and duties that place limits on actions regardless of outcomes.
• The tension between Consequentialist and Deontological views:
  • Consequentialists weigh outcomes, while deontologists emphasize rights.

Application 1: Allocation of Scarce Resources

• Key Ethical Tension: Between utility and equity.
• Relevant Principles:
  • Reciprocity for frontline workers.
  • Prioritization for younger individuals (fair innings).

Language Matters

• Trade-offs in Values:
  • Saving more lives vs. saving a diverse group of lives.
  • Need to strike an acceptable balance between different values and rights.

Types of Ethics:

1. Consequentialism:
   • Utilitarianism: Maximize utility.
   • Pragmatism: Find a proper balance between utility and equity.
2. Egalitarianism (Deontology):
   • Views equity as a constraint; utility is considered once perfect equity has been achieved.

Author's View

• Equity and Justice: Essential public interests that must be protected.
• Recommended Approach: Emphasize pragmatism while giving substantial weight to equity.

Moral Factors in Scarce Resource Allocation

• Limited medical resources
• Prognosis for recovery
• Race and physical ability

Real World Complications

• Prognosis and Bias: If prognosis serves as a proxy for race, it becomes ethically problematic.

Disparities in Health Outcomes

• Example: Māori people face higher rates of chronic diseases, highlighting social inequities and their implications for public health policies.

Recommendations

• Favor inclusive practices in medical resource allocation.
• Avoid metrics like QALY (Quality Adjusted Life Years) which can bias against disadvantaged groups.
• Consider extraordinary risks taken by frontline workers and shorter life expectancy for younger individuals in allocation decisions.

Application 2: Stop-and-Frisk

• Distinction:
  • Type 1: Stop-and-frisk based on reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.
  • Type 2: Street checks for information without specific investigation.

Moral Factors in Stop-and-Frisk

• Factors to Consider:
  • Relevant moral status and the ethical implications of these practices.

The Role of Dignity in Ethical Considerations

• Immanuel Kant's Philosophy:
  • All beings possess dignity, which is inherent worth beyond market values.
• How to Weigh Dignity:
  • Deontological View: Dignity cannot be violated even for greater good.
  • Pragmatism: Balancing dignity against other values.
  • Utilitarianism: Focuses on measurable outcomes without intrinsic value for dignity.

Conclusion

• Your Views on Moral Factors: What role do you think dignity plays in ethical evaluations?