PHI 2396 Lecture : PHI2396 - Notes on general and specific beneficence and nonmalificence.docx

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Philosophy
• Course: PHI 2396
• Professor: Andrew Sneddon

Document Summary

Specific beneficence: refers to beneficent act directed towards those who fulfill special relationships to us, and or arise in specific situations (these are obliged benficence) Parents children (they are responsible for their existence) Physician patients (they are responsible to help them) (1) rescue, (2) roles/relationships. Ross says sending money to kids in africa is important . She says there is no limit on beneficent obligations. Thinks ideal beneficence and supererogatory acts should be put in with obligatory beneficence. Criticism: too idealistic, impractical, morally wrong (to have to choose between your children and a stranger) Peter singer: obligation to benefit to the extent that the suffering caused to oneself does. Not exceed the suffering you relive in others. Criticism: to bring up someone"s level you have to lower your ownthis is a little demanding. Specific beneficence: obliged beneficence to members of our family or our patients (1) rescue, (2) roles/relationships.