Intro to Medical Ethics Flashcards
What is the basis of theory for consequentialism?
+ An action is right if, and only if it promotes the best consequences
+ Must decide how different consequences are going to be morally evaluated and ranked
What is the basis of theory for deontology?
+ An action is right if, and only if it is in accord with a moral rule or principle
+ A moral rule is one laid on us by God, by reason or would be chosen by rational beings
What is the basis of theory for virtue ethics?
+ An action is right if, and only if it is what a virtuous agent would do in the circumstances
+ A virtue is a character trait a human being needs in order to flourish (hence concept of flourishing is crucial)
What are weaknesses of consequentialism?
+ Sometimes actions that lead to best consequences seem wrong in themselves (prisoner & organ recipients)
+ Some individuals may be treated unjustly
+ Actual v intended consequences
What are weaknesses of deontology?
+ Consequences matter
+ How do we decide on the duties/moral trules?
+ How do you decide duty/moral rule hierarchy
What are the weaknesses of virtue ethics?
+ How do you decide on virtues?
+ May be very culturally specific
What are the 4 principles?
+ Respect for autonomy
+ Beneficence
+ Non-maleficence
+ Justice
What is respect for autonomy?
+ Incorporates the idea of self-governance
+ Allows that a competent informed adult can make their own decisions: INFORMED CONSENT
+ Respect patients’ decisions and follow them
What is beneficence?
+ The obligation to act in a way to BENEFIT the patient; to do what is best for them
+ Often conflict between autonomy & beneficence
What is non-maleficence?
+ Primum non nocere; first, do no harm
+ Do not act in a way as to cause harm to your patient
What is the doctrine of double effect?
+ Moral distinction between INTENDING harm and FORESEEING harm
+ Not permissible to deliberately cause harm
+ It is permissible to cause harm through a beneficial effect (harm being a foreseen but unintended side effect of the beneficial effect)
What are the 4 criteria for the doctrine of double effect?
- The action must be good, independent of it’s consequences
- Although the bad effect can be foreseen, the agent must intend only the good effect
- The bad effect must not be a means to the good effect
- The good effect must outweigh, or compensate for, the bad effect
What is justice?
+ Fairness
+ Equivalent health needs get equivalent access to appropriate care
+ Distributive justice (distribute limited resources (time & treatments) fairly and transparently)
+ Respect for rights and morally acceptable laws
