MEDI7231 Study Guide - Final Guide: Iranian Principlists, Chemotherapy, Procedural Justice
ETHICAL THEORIES I
Campion B. Virtue ethics and health care ethics. Part 1: The good doctor. Canadian Catholic Bioethics
Institute. Bioethics Matters. 2011 Feb;9(2):1-4.
Ethical theory
Ethics
What we ought to do, and how we should live in relation to others
Importance
It enables us to analyse issues
We can decide how to act
We can defend decisions and actions
Ethics vs morals
Morals are primarily focused on actions, particularly what social/public/cultural groups understand to be
right and wrong (social rules or norms) therefore helping to construct societal expectations of behaviour
within the community
Ethics are subjective individual/ organisation beliefs on what is right and wrong, therefore helping to
construct a guideline for what is acceptable for that person
Ethical theory
Ethical theories enable us to analyse issues and decide how to act
Gives a sound theoretical basis to build arguments upon to conclude a decision
The case
Mabel and Daisy are both 3mth old conjoined twins
If they are separated this week, Mabel will survive and live a healthy life but Daisy will die at separation
If they are not separated, both girls will die within 2 weeks
Kantian ethics (deontology)
Deontological theory
Kantian ethics is one form of deontology that is duty or rule based
VIEW: it is your duty to always do good, and never compromise to do bad
Some acts are inherently wrong (lying, killing), even if it’s for good purpose
Two main imperatives
Any action can be broken down into two imperatives (instructions)
Hypothetical imperative (logical)
oAn action that is a means to achieve a goal
oAn action is based on whether it is rational or logical
oKant doesn’t believe morality is like this
Categorical imperative (moral)
oAlways treat people as a means in themselves, and never as a means to an end
oAn action that is good in itself, and would be good if applied universally
oComplete an action that you would want others to complete, as if it were applied universally
Kantian ethics is primarily concerned with the categorical imperative
oTreat people as rational, autonomous agents capable of making independent decisions
oNever use a person to benefit another; respect for each other
oPrinciple of ends
Potential conflict
Respecting one person as a rational autonomous agent may lead to harm or conflict with another
Despite thinking someone's actions are wrong, we must respect each others decisions
CASE: Separation of dying conjoined twins will allow Mabel to live, but Daisy to die faster – Kantian ethics would
not separate the twins
Utilitarianism (consequentialism)
Consequentialist theory
Utilitarianism is a teological/ consequentialist approach that is focused on ‘telos’ (outcome)
Aim to produce the greatest good (happiness) for the greatest number of people
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Campion b. virtue ethics and health care ethics. What we ought to do, and how we should live in relation to others. Morals are primarily focused on actions, particularly what social/public/cultural groups understand to be right and wrong (social rules or norms) therefore helping to construct societal expectations of behaviour within the community. Ethics are subjective individual/ organisation beliefs on what is right and wrong, therefore helping to construct a guideline for what is acceptable for that person. Ethical theories enable us to analyse issues and decide how to act. Gives a sound theoretical basis to build arguments upon to conclude a decision. Mabel and daisy are both 3mth old conjoined twins. If they are separated this week, mabel will survive and live a healthy life but daisy will die at separation. If they are not separated, both girls will die within 2 weeks. Kantian ethics is one form of deontology that is duty or rule based.
