Bioethics Chapter 1

How does Aristotle characterize a virtuous person?

"A morally virtuous person is characterized by habitually correct desire, which means that reason and desire both incline the person together to the same virtuous deed"

According to Aristotle, what is proper fulfillment of a human being?

"The human being has an end (fulfillment) that is independent of the various purposes one might pursue in life. This enables him to distinguish between what someone does with his or her life and what would genuinely fulfill that person as a human being." (pg 15)

Understand the two contrary pressures brought to bear by Descartes on moral reasoning

1. The first pressure stems from the distinction between science and what science establishes on the one hand against moral beliefs on the other. 2. The second pressure inclines us to refashion ethics in imitation of modern science.

Know the tenets of Aristotle's philosophy and be able to apply those tenets to the study of bioethics

1. The proper fulfillment of human beings; the end of human existence 2. How human happiness illuminates our thinking about human health 3. Moral philosophy is practical rather than theoretical 4. Moral character over particular acts, repetitive actions

Compare and contrast private and public moral justification

Private moral justification: based on religious beliefs, personal preferences, or any other grounds that are persuasive. Can enjoy making these decisions with freedom from scrutiny and from any burden of justification. Public moral justification: has to be more thorough and rational in its approach Both are based on reasoned arguments

Define the term bioethics

the discipline devoted to the articulation of good decisions in the practice of health care