Moral Philosophy

1. The Six Concepts

1.1. Consequentialism - Rightness or wrongness based on consequences

1.2. Non-consequentialism - Puts more into thought than just consequences - Was the action well intended?

1.3. Virtue - Character of person performing action - Is person acting with justice, charity, mercy or wisdom?

1.4. Casuistry - Uses past cases to establish moral principles for current situation

1.4.1. Relativism - Dependent on time, place, situation, culture, and location

1.4.1.1. Feminism - Morals revolve around caregiving, and maintaining relationships - Focuses on importance of relationships and emotions

2. Ethical Dilemmas

2.1. - Includes the dilemma of right vs. right - Series of choices people have to make in situations where the outcome can matter alot and also can go against someone's beliefs or morals even if they have to choose that option

3. The Three Theories

3.1. Utilitarianism - From philosopher Jeremy Bentham - Make the greatest amount of good for the most amount of people

3.2. Deontological - From philosopher John Stuart Mill - Your personal beliefs, intuition, values, religion can influence your actions

3.3. Natural Law - From Saint Thomas Aquinas - Don't intervene and let nature take its course

4. Stakeholders

4.1. Anyone who is affected by dilemmas such as family, doctors, hospitals, nurses.

5. Three Natures of Problems

5.1. Wrong vs. Wrong - neither is good

5.2. Right vs. Wrong - moral temptation - you know what is right but might choose the wrong choice

5.3. Right vs. Right - both options are right - can be hard to choose and is based on personal beliefs

6. The Four Principles

6.1. Autonomy - Respecting the right to make decisions about their life and body - Decisions made without influence of others - Truth telling, confidentiality, informed consent

6.2. Beneficence - When physicians are morally obligated to help -All choices are made out of good intent and benefit to them - Balance benefit and risk

6.3. Non-Maleficence - Don't do any harm - Physicians are obligated to refrain from any harmful acts - Balance benefit and risk

6.4. Justice - What is fair and what is deserved -Fair and equal treatments to every patient