10.1: Ethics and Bioethics
Ethics is a philosophical study of moral actions. Ethics attempts to determine what is valuable for individuals and society. It examines the rational justification of moral judgments and analyzes what is morally just, fair, and right. Bioethics is a sub-discipline of applied ethics that analyzes the philosophical, social, and legal issues in life sciences and medicine. Ethical theories serve as a foundation for decision-making and represent the viewpoints from which people seek direction. They attempt to deliver a clear understanding of moral necessities and responsibilities. Depending on the situation and the ethical dilemma, different theories explain what people might do.
Deontology, a traditional ethical theory, emphasizes the relationship between obligations and the morality of human actions. It does not focus on the consequences of the action but examines a given situation for the presence of fundamental right or wrong. In healthcare, deontology underscores the importance of adhering to moral duties, even when faced with challenging situations. For instance, if a healthcare professional promises a patient confidentiality but later discovers the patient's condition is contagious, a deontologist would argue that keeping the promise is ethically imperative. Despite potential harm to others, the deontological approach prioritizes honoring commitments and moral obligations over solely focusing on outcomes.
Utilitarianism theory considers the effects of morally right or wrong actions. It is a form of consequentialism because it emphasizes the outcome or consequence of an action. For instance, in a scenario with limited life-saving medication, a utilitarian approach would allocate the medication to a patient with a higher chance of survival, aiming to achieve the best consequences for the most significant number. This decision, though potentially unfavorable for another patient, reflects the consequentialist nature of utilitarian ethics, emphasizing the overall benefit to society over that of the individuals.
According to rights ethical theory, the rights set forth by society are protected and given the highest priority. Rights are ethically correct and justifiable since a large population advocates them. Rights ethical theory in healthcare upholds prioritizing fundamental rights established by society. For instance, protecting patient confidentiality is ethically justifiable due to widespread advocacy. If a healthcare professional discloses sensitive information without consent, it violates the patient's right to privacy. Rights theory asserts that widely recognized and accepted rights must be safeguarded, even if specific actions might yield better overall consequences.
The virtue ethical theory evaluates an individual by character rather than by an action that may differ from his normal behavior. It considers the person's morals, reputation, and motivation when rating unusual and irregular conduct as unethical.
In a healthcare setting, virtue ethics emphasizes the character of healthcare professionals rather than isolated actions. Consider a scenario where a physician faces a difficult decision regarding disclosing a terminal diagnosis to a patient. A virtuous approach would involve the physician exhibiting compassion, empathy, and honesty, considering the patient's emotional well-being. The virtue ethicist focuses on the physician's moral character, valuing integrity and empathy.
