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