Bioethics Quiz 1

principle

a basic truth or a general law or doctrine that is used as a basis of reasoning or a guide to action or behavior

public system

a system that has two characteristics: all persons to whom it applies understand it, and know what behavior the system prohibits, requires, discourages, encourages, and allows - It is not irrational for any of these persons to accept being guided or judged by that system

Aristotle

Nicomachean Ethics

Primum non nocere

"Above all, do no harm"

Four Topics Method- Mark Siegler

1. medical indications 2. patient preferences 3. quality of life 4. external factors

Terri Shiavo

1990; 27 year old who suffered from cardiac arrest due to low blood potassium level. Persistent vegetative state ensued and so did a long legal battle over whether or not Shiavo should be taken off of the G-tube. Argument was between he husband and her parents who were extremely religious and wanted Shiavo to be kept alive.

Principlism

Approach to biomedical ethics created by Beauchamp and Childress. Four principles: respect for autonomy; non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice

Immanuel Kant

Foundations of Metaphysics Morals; separates demand for morality from the search for happiness; argued that dignity was earned by people who were capable of rising above selfish concern for the satisfaction of their desires and pursuing instead their duty.

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996; legislation that provides data privacy and security provisions for safeguarding medical information

Respect for Autonomy

One of the four principles by beauchamp and childress; 1. tell the truth 2. respect the privacy of others 3. protect confidential information 4. obtain consent for interventions with patients 5. when asked, help others make important decisions

Justice

One of the four principles by beauchamp and childress; underlies concerns about how social benefits and burdens should be distributed

Beneficence

One of the three principles of biomedical ethics; covers acts of kindness or charity that go beyond just strict obligation. Two rules associated with it: do not harm; maximize possible benefits and minimize possible harms

Respect for Persons

One of the three principles of biomedical ethics; incorporates at least two ethical convictions: first, that individuals should be treated as autonomous agents, and second, that persons with diminished autonomy are entitles to protection

Justice

One of the three principles of biomedical ethics; the question of who ought to receive the benefits of research and bear its burdens. "fairness of distribution"/ "what is deserved"

Thomas Aquinas

Summa Theologiae; discussed human action with a consideration to the ultimate end of man (or happiness) which is argued to consist primarily in the vision of God in heaven and secondarily in the imperfect or incomplete happiness available in this life

John Stuart Mill

Utilitarianism; see definition of utility; mill argues that the end of all human action and first principle of morality is the greatest happiness principle, also known as the principle of utility

weak paternalism

an agent intervenes on grounds of beneficence only to prevent substantially nonautonomous conduct

Moral Theories

an attempt to make explicit, explain, and if possible, justice morality- that is, the moral system that people use in making their moral judgements

The Principle of the Double Effect

attempts to articulate the ordinary recognition that we are responsible not only for what we will but also for what we foresee or should foresee as a consequence of what we will 1. The act chosen must be morally good or indifferent 2. The intention aimed at must be good 3. The good effect must not be accomplished by means of the bad effect 4. The good effect must be at least as serious as the evil effect that may result

warrants

considerations from prior cases

paternalism

consists in the judgement that the principle of beneficence trumps the principle of autonomy

morality

consists of principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior

Libertarian Theories of Justice: Nozick

emphasize the importance of the unfettered operation of fair procedures Three principles under this theory: 1. principle of justice in acquisition 2. principle of justice in transfer 3. principle of rectification

reason

fact or rational belief that one's action will help anyone, not merely oneself or those one cares about, avoid harm or gain some good

voluntary

free from controlling constraints by others

end (greek: telos) (Aristotle's definition)

fulfillment or completion of a thing and not merely the outcome/termination/result of some activity

Egalitarian Theories of Justice

hold that persons should receive an equal distribution of certain goods

Utility/The greatest happiness principle

holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness; wrong as they tend to promote the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain and the privation of pleasure

strong paternalism

involves interventions intended to benefit a person despite the fact that the person;s risky choices are informed, voluntary and autonomous

Utilitarian Theories of Justice- John Stuart Mill

justice is merely a name for the obligation created by the principle of utility under which we should strive to produce as much overall happiness as possible

specific beneficance

obligatory beneficence. refers to positive obligations we owe to others to further their important and legit interests. we owe this to others with whom we are in some special relationship

Beneficence (beauchamp and childress)

one of the four principles by beauchamp and childress; asserts the duty to help others further their important and legitimate interests 1. one ought to prevent evil or harm 2. one ought to remove evil or harm 3. one ought to do or promote good more specifically 1. protect and defend the rights of others 2. prevent harm from occurring to others 3. remove conditions that will cause harm to others 4. help persons with disabilities 5. rescue persons in danger

Non-maleficence

one of the four principles by beauchamp and childress; duty to refrain from causing harm (primum non nocere) 1. do not kill 2. do not cause pain or suffering 3. do not incapacitate 4. do not cause offense 5. do not deprive others of the goods of life

Manipulation

one of the three types of influence; refers to the forms of influence that are neither persuasive nor coercive but involves swaying people to do what the manipulator wants by means other than coercion or persuasion

coercion

one of three types of influence; occurs if and only if one person intentionally uses a credible and sever threat of harm or force to control another

Persuasion

one of three types of influence; refers to the process whereby a person comes to believe in something through the merit of reasons another person advances

clinical casuistry model- Albert Johnson and Stephen Toulmin

one starts by station a universal major premise and it is then followed by a particular minor premise that describes the current situation

Intellectual Virtues

perfect human beings insofar as they know and understand

paradigms

previous cases

competency

refers to ones ability to make a particular decision

Personal Autonomy

self rule that is free from both controlling interference by others and from limitations, such as inadequate understanding, that prevent meaningful choice. Can be a negative or a positive obligation

general beneficence

specific beneficence but directed beyond those special relationships to all persons

Intention/intended act

the aim with which a given act is chosen

Bioethics

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

Prudence/Practical Wisdom (phronesis in Greek)

the virtue or perfection of the rational part of the soul related to the moral virtues

preventative ethics

thinking ahead about some situations which allows HCPs to anticipate problems and make decisions appropriately

Moral Virtues

to feel and act rightly with respect to characteristically human concerns

Moral Object

what is chosen when we perform human acts