Bioethics Vocabulary and Theory

Ethics “A field of human inquiry that examines the bases of human goals and the foundations of right and wrong human actions that further or hinder these goals” (Wertz, 5-8) “A field of human inquiry that examines the bases of human goals and the foundations of right and wrong human actions that further or hinder these goals” (Wertz, 5-8) A reasoned process for dealing with a problem concerning what ought or should be done in a situation A reasoned process for dealing with a problem concerning what ought or should be done in a situation

Morals Actions-based on social customs, emotional responses to a breach of socially accepted practice Actions-based on social customs, emotional responses to a breach of socially accepted practice What is right or wrong What is right or wrong Ideas of what is right or wrong are often shared by groups of people Ideas of what is right or wrong are often shared by groups of people

Values What is important to you as an individual What is important to you as an individual Based on your experiences, groups you are a member of, your age, your interests Based on your experiences, groups you are a member of, your age, your interests

Principles Based Ethical Decision Making Autonomy-respect for personhood-the right to self govern-the right to have all the information necessary to make a decision Autonomy-respect for personhood-the right to self govern-the right to have all the information necessary to make a decision Non-maleficence-to do the least amount of harm Non-maleficence-to do the least amount of harm Beneficence-to serve the greater good Beneficence-to serve the greater good Justice-to be fair-to be equitable Justice-to be fair-to be equitable

Utilitarianism Outcome based decision making Outcome based decision making Consequentialist Consequentialist Outcomes are considered and the good and bad outcomes are weighed Outcomes are considered and the good and bad outcomes are weighed Requires that the interests of everyone be considered Requires that the interests of everyone be considered Ends justify the means Ends justify the means

Deontology Rules based decision making Rules based decision making Actions reflect what you would want to become universal law Actions reflect what you would want to become universal law Ask-What would happen if everyone did this? Ask-What would happen if everyone did this?