Ethical Theories & Principals Part 2: Deontology and Teleology

Introduction to Deontology and Teleology

  • Part two of the lecture series focusing on ethical theories

  • Primary focus on deontology and teleology

  • Mention of learning some Greek terms relevant to the discussion

Deontology

  • Definition:

    • A moral philosophy primarily associated with Immanuel Kant, an 18th-century German philosopher

    • Also referred to as Kantian ethics

    • Derived from the Greek word "deon," meaning "that which is binding"

  • Core Idea:

    • Individuals should act from a sense of duty

    • The categorical imperative:

    • An ethical guideline that posits one should act only according to that maxim which can be universalized—whereby the action could be deemed right if performed by everyone

  • Mnemonic for Recall:

    • D for Deontology, D for Duty

  • Application in Professions:

    • Duties are evident in the pledges taken by police officers, military personnel, and healthcare professionals

    • In malpractice lawsuits, it must be established that:

    1. The defendant had a duty to the patient

    2. The duty was breached

    3. The breach caused injury to the patient

  • Principles of Moral Significance:

    • The rightness or wrongness of an action is based on its inherent moral significance

    • Deontology advocates doing what is right because it is the right thing to do

  • Strengths and Weaknesses of Deontology:

    • Strengths: Emphasis on principled ethics

    • Weaknesses:

    • Fails to consider the consequences of actions

    • Conflicts may arise when multiple duties are considered

  • Example of Limitation:

    • Scenario: A teacher must choose between

    • Telling the truth about a hiding student vs.

    • Protecting the student from potential harm

    • Illustrates the challenge of adhering strictly to rules in crisis situations

Teleology

  • Definition:

    • A consequentialist theory that evaluates the morality of an action based on its outcomes or consequences

    • Originates from the Greek word "telos," meaning "the good"

  • Core Principles:

    • An action is morally right if it moves us towards the notions of the good

    • Necessitates discussions on what constitutes the good in the context of public health

  • Utilitarianism within Teleology:

    • Closely linked to philosophers Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill from the 19th century

    • Definition of Utilitarianism:

    • Actions are considered right in proportion to their tendency to promote happiness and wrong if they produce unhappiness

    • Quote by Mill: "All actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness."

  • Example of Utilitarianism:

    • Mr. Spock's sacrifice in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan"

    • Quote: "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few—or the one."

  • Differences in Ethical Focus:

    • Biomedical ethics: Focuses on individuals or families

    • Public health ethics: Concentrates on the well-being of communities and populations

    • Aim is to maximize good for as many people as possible

  • Challenges in Teleology:

    • Determining definitions of happiness and health

    • Questions include:

      • Who defines happiness?

      • How much health is necessary for individuals?

    • Utilitarianism may overlook individual or minority interests in pursuit of collective happiness

    • Potential conflict with social justice:

      • Actions may yield benefit for the majority but harm vulnerable populations

  • Philosophical Considerations:

    • Decisions often involve trade-offs that don't yield clear, simple answers

    • Quote: "Get comfortable with being uncomfortable."

Conclusion

  • Emphasis on the complexity of ethical decision-making in deontology and teleology

  • Upcoming lectures will further explore these complex issues and provide more examples for understanding ethical dilemmas in public health and bioethics.