Ethics

Substituted Judgment

Decision regarding treatment made for another person unable to make it

Purely Emotive Appeals

Demonizing other side with no real argument. "Can't trust Christians because they lie too."

Cavalier Dismissal

Dismissing casually when strong argument made. "The bible is an old book. Why believe that absurdity?"

Unwarranted Associated Jumps

Drawing conclusions without evidence. "She wants pickles and ice cream. She must be pregnant."

Appeal to Selective Evidence

Drawing large conclusion from small piece of evidence. "Two students were assaulted means a scary trend in campus violence."

Deontological ethics

Duty-centered ethics stressing obedience to rules, as opposed to results-centered or utilitarian ethics

Teleological ethics

Ethical decision made in view of the end (telos) or results

Prescriptive ethics

Ethical laws are imperative, not descriptive; they are a matter of "ought," not of what "is," as are mores

Emotivism

Ethical statements are an expression of our feelings but not really objectively binding

Fallacies of Question Framing

Falsely assumes a truth from the question asked. "When are you going to stop sleeping beating your wife?"

Utilitarian Calculus

Formula of anticipated pleasure over pain used by utilitarians to determine which actions are right

John Stuart Mill

Generalism (Qualitative Utilitarianism); "most good for most", pleasure hierarchy

Jeremy Bentham

Generalism (Quantitative Utilitarianism). Greatest good is the norm.

Unwarranted Generalization and Over Specification

Generalizing things to be true. "Asians are good at math."

Intrinsic good

Good in and of itself, as opposed to God only as a means to something else

Kierkegaard

Graded Absolutism (Christian Existentialist); Abraham-Isaac problem by transcending ethical morals by leap of faith

Plotinus

Graded Absolutism; "Life at top", 7 graded norms

False Disjunctions (Exclude Middle)

Improper appeal to the law of the excluded middle; false dichotomy. "Stop selling guns or gun violence will kill everyone."

Inadequate Analogies

Insufficient info to explain for truth "Three forms of water explains triune God."

Intentionalism

Intent is the essence of the act; it's right if done with good intros and wing of done with bad intentions

Theocracy

Literally "The rule of God", government directly by God without human authority

AJ Ayer

Logical Positivism. Verification principle (if you can't do it empirically to be true, it's not true)

6. GRADED ABSOLUTISM

Many absolute laws sometimes conflict and we are responsible for obeying the higher law; "Lying is sometimes right when there are higher laws." REFUTES: Hierarchy norms can be subjective (who establishes the hierarchy?); Does the ends justify of the means (Rahab lying to save spies may make lying just too.)

4. UNQUALIFIED ABSOLUTISM

Many absolute laws that never conflict; all alleged conflicts are only apparent, not real; "Lying is always wrong because there's no exceptions to telling truth." REFUTES: Following rules because they're rules doesn't mean it's good (civil disobedience); Failure to recognize persons over things (Rahab lied to save the spies.)

5. CONFLICTING ABSOLUTISM

Many absolute norms that sometimes conflict, and we are obligated to do the lesser evil and repent; "Lying is wrong but lesser evil; lying is forgiveable." REFUTES: Christological problem (If Jesus took on humanity, then He is forced to these moral binds.); Impossible not to sin (ought implies can)

"Christian Ethics is Deontological"

Morals are duty-centered (not end-centered teleology), reflecting God's nature whether actions were successful, anticipating results of behavior, and careful use of results.

"Christian Ethics is Based on God's Will"

Morals are from divine-command position and prescription in accordance to God's unchangeable moral character.

"Christian Ethics is Based on God's Revelation"

Morals based on God's commands through general (nature) and special (Scripture) revelation. Moral laws are written on all hearts even if not in minds.

"Christian Ethics is Prescriptive"

Morals prescribe human behavior, not describe

"Christian Ethics is Absolute"

Morals traceable to God's unchanging moral character is a moral absolute, binding to all people at all times.

Negative Inferences

Negating the positive is not necessarily true. "The car doesn't start so it's a bad car."

Processism

No moral law since everything is in a flux state, so every ethical value will change with the situation

1. ANTINOMIANISM

No moral law, everything is relative; "against or instead of law"; "Lying to save lives is neither right or wrong." REFUTES: Irrational ("No absolutes" is absolute -- self defeating statement); Ineffective (society can't function without objective binding rules)

Resconstructionism

OT moral laws and punishments are still in effect today, including capital punishment for murder, rape, adultery, fornication, kidnapping, and rebellious children

2. SITUATIONISM

One absolute ethical laws; all decisions are based on changing situations; "Lying to save lives is morally justified because it's the most loving thing to do." REFUTES: Definition of "love" becomes subjective (what's loving to one isn't loving to another); Limits other possible norms as the standard besides love (why not mercy, justice, pleasure, etc.?)

Selectivism

Only some wars are just; unjust ones should be resisted, even those instituted by one's own government

Simplistic Appeals to Authority

Oversimplifying statements as true. "Experts say smoking is bad for you."

Discuss same-sex counseling: legal, ethical issues; APA guidelines. What would you advise this couple? Referral issues. What would you think through? Use deontological approach of how you'd say.

Per APA, I do not have obligations to treat all clients if I am not competent to treat clients, or have biases or concerns that might compromise care. I should refer potential clients elsewhere in a respectful, professional manner.

Personalism

Persons are the essence of moral values, an end in themselves, the only thing with intrinsic good

False Statements

Plain errors of fact; violation of law of non-contradiction; 2 false statements can't be correct.

Hedonism

Pleasure is the essence of life and should be sought for its own sake

Patriolatry

Radical patriotism that treats one's country as ultimate or on the level with God

What's Geisler's basis for establishing hierarchical value?

Scripture; and Intuitiveness of Love

Abuse of "Obviously"

Similar to cavalier dismissal. "Obviously, waterboarding is barbaric."

Fletcher

Situationism; "law of love"

3. GENERALISM

Some general laws but no absolute laws; ends justifies means; "Lying is generally wrong but depends on the results." REFUTES: Ends doesn't justify the means (If saved by grace, then doesn't mean to live a sloppy, sinful life.); "End" is ambiguous (when does the end stop?)

Voluntarism

Something is good because God wills it, as opposed to essentialism which holds that God will it because it is God

Skepticism

Suspending judgment on all matters; nothing should ever be considered absolutely right or wrong

Secular Humanism

There is no God or God-given moral law; decisions are made situationally in view of humanistic values, such as freedom and toleration

Improperly Handled Syllogism

Things can be logical but implications are false. "Prison conditions are dehumanizing and cruel, but prisoners are criminals."

Existentialism

Transcend the ethical by "a leap of faith"

Middle axioms

Universal ethical principles derived from other universal principles

Plato

Unqualified Absolutism; "do good because they're absolute ideals"; we have partial view of reality and "live in shadowland"

Kant

Unqualified Absolutism; "do good for sake of good"; people highly valued

Quantitative Utilitarianism

Utilitarian view that defines the greatest good in a quantitative way, measuring how much pleasure over how much pain is likely to result

Qualitative Utilitarianism

Utilitarian view that measures the greatest good in terms of what kind or quality of pleasure over pain is likely to result

Positivism

Values are chosen voluntarily as opposed to derived from nature or God; they are decided, not discovered

Pacifism

War is always no wrong under all circumstances

Activism

War is always right if engaged in by one's government

Nihilism

Willing of nothingness

Worldview Confusion

Worldviews taint how conclusions are drawn. "Prostitution is the oldest profession, so it's a legitimate."

Rule-utilitarianism

based on general rules; do what's best for long run for most people, best situation

Confidentiality should be broken when

...a patient uses insanity as a defense in a criminal case. (assessment)

A 13-year old female reports an incident of physical abuse by her father in the course of her therapy. After reviewing her psychological state, you decide to maintain confidentiality. You have:

...acted both legally and ethically. (note psychological state)

In a multidisciplinary situation, a patient is being treated both by a psychologist and a psychiatrist. After a significant period of time, the patient's condition improves. Before discharge, he asks the psychologist if it is okay if he stops taking medication. The psychologist should:

...arrange for the original physician who prescribed the medication to see him and re-evaluate his need for the medication.

During an interview with a new patient, you become aware of suicidal ideation and tendencies which you believe to be of serious nature constituting a significant and present danger to the patient. You should:

...attempt to develop a plan of support; hospitalize the patient if necessary; follow up on a daily basis your plan for resolution of the crisis. (conduct sound risk assessment)

A patient who previously had been seeing another therapist comes to you reporting that in two previous years of psychotherapy he had no beneficial results. He as had constant problems in maintaining employment. He appears anxious and phobic and dissatisfied with his present life. You should:

...begin therapy only if you have reason to believe you can form a beneficial relationship with the patient. (scope of practice, ethics)

A child with emotional disturbances who is being treated by a psychologist recounts an incident in which her father assaulted a person causing that person a mild concussion. The psychologist decides to maintain confidentiality. He or she acted:

...ethically (confidentiality)

A patient informs you that his or her former therapist has engaged in sexual contact during the course of therapy. You should:

...have the patient sign a release of information and report the supposed incident to the local ethics committee. (ethical confidentiality)

In a job interview, a psychologist who is engaged in personnel selection becomes aware that an applicant has falsified his sexual preference so as to not be excluded from consideration for the job. The psychologist should

...inform the employers even though he or she is aware that this would exclude the consideration of the applicant. (confidentiality)

When as a psychologist you become aware of an ethical violation of a colleague, you should:

...initiate resolution informally by speaking to your colleague. (ethical violation)

A 35-Year old man has just begun working a new job. About the time he began the job, the man developed an acute syndrome in which his entire body shook, particularly when working with others. He appears healthy and has no history of medical problems. You should:

...refer him to a physician for a medical evaluation. (medical; defensive charting)

As a staff psychologist in a state mental hospital, you become aware that a psychiatric technician has conveyed confidential information about a patient to friends in the community. You should:

...report the incident to the hospital administration. (chain of command issues)

Working in a university setting, a psychologist is informed that several students are engaged in illegal activities that affect the university. The information is conveyed by a student who not only is taking part in these activities but currently is engaged in psychotherapy with the psychologist. The activities do not present a danger to self or others, but cause significant property damage. The psychologist should:

...report to the administration both the nature of the illegal activities and the students involved. (responsibility to university; criminal behavior)

You are working as a community psychologist in a small town. Mental health services are extremely limited. The local school district asks you to institute a program of group therapy for acting-out adolescents. You are not adequately trained in the methodology and process. You should:

...run the group though minimally qualified because the situation demands immediate action.

A person calls for an appointment explaining that she is presently in treatment with a local psychiatrist. The potential client expresses dissatisfaction with her present course of therapy. You should:

...set up an appointment to explore the possibility of ongoing psychological oriented therapy.

When a psychologist is engaged in the treatment of an adolescent, he or she should always convey that:

...the parents are the holder of the privilege and they will be kept informed of his/her progress in treatment. (privilege)

Peter Parker allowed criminal to escape that later killed his uncle. What degree is Peter Parker responsible for the uncle's death?

1. Completely responsible - if taking Unqualified Absolutism view if there's no exception to breaking the law. Criminals are in prison for breaking laws. If allowing law breakers escape from prison, then Parker is responsible for endangering others, including his uncle. 2. Somewhat responsible - Parker may have allowed a criminal to escape, but Parker didn't intend to kill his uncle because the criminal actually did.

House disobeys patients DNR, but in the end House diagnosed him correctly and saved him.

1. Conflicting Absolutism - Disobeying was forgivable because it was a lesser evil to save someone life and pleading for mercy than disobeying DNR. 2. Situationism - Disobeying was justifiable because the most loving thing to do was saving a patient's life with proper diagnosis. 3. Unqualified Absolutism - Disobeying was wrong because disobeying patient's DNR could mean allowing doctors to do whatever they want. House may be lucky with saving patient, but it's not a reason to break rules that runs the risk for the hospital and medical profession.

Why do we have normative ethics?

1. Necessary for things to exist (true from false reality) 2. Practical for people to function in society (can't wantonly murder). 3. Objective for moral standards and judgments (right from wrong). 4. Establishes rating system (better to best).

Sadism

Afflicting pain on others for the pleasure of it

Essentialism

An ethical law is willed by God because it is good; it is not God because it is willed by God, as in voluntarism

Hierarchicalism

Another term for graded absolutism

Sartre

Antinomianism (Atheist Existentialist); "Condemned to be free", being drunk alone or President amounts to same thing

Nietzsche

Antinomianism (Nihilism); "God is dead."

Act-utilitarianism

Based on future ends; look at individual to base decisions

Fallacies Based on Equivocal

Claiming more than they should; evidence can go either way. "He lied because he's possessed by demons."

Non Sequitur

Conclusion is false; logic does not follow "Tigers lost when the Pistons lost, so Tigers will win since the Pistons won."

Unwarranted Confusion of Truth and Precision

Confusing that something is true instead of being more precise. "She's rich because she owns a gold watch."

Failure to Recognize Distinctions

Correlation of X and Y doesn't mean all is true about each. "Kids tend to be more aggressive when playing violent video games, so kids that play them tend to be aggressive."

Mores

Customs of the culture whether morally right or not judged as a prescriptive ethical standard