n. an approach to ethics that is concerned with what makes an action inherently right or wrong. Deontology’s emphasis on the primacy of observing duties and respecting rights is at odds with the approach that judges actions by their outcomes (see consequentialism). This tension is central to many issues in medical ethics; for example, in relation to *euthanasia, the wrong of killing versus the good outcome of ending suffering, and is further complicated when rights or duties are in conflict with one another, e.g. in relation to *abortion, the rights of the mother versus the rights of the fetus. See also Kantian ethics. —deontological adj.
n. what is owed to another person, creating an obligation or moral requirement to behave in one way rather than another. Duty may arise from rules or principles, such as the *four principles of medical ethics, or from particular relationships (e.g. doctor and patient or parent and child). Dilemmas may arise where these duties appear to conflict or are unclearly delineated. The idea of duty as an absolute *imperative that does not vary with circumstances is central to the tradition of *Kantian ethics (see deontology). Doctors also have legal duties towards their patients because of their *fiduciary relationship and assume a duty of care as soon as they start a consultation. If doctors, registered nurses, or other health professionals fall short of their legal duty of care, they may be subject to a claim of *negligence.... duty
adj. positive, desirable, or morally admirable. The question of what is to be judged good is at the heart of medical ethics and ethics in general. Some theorists believe that one’s intentions or will may or may not be good (see deontology), while others argue that only the consequences of actions may or may not be good (*consequentialism). Physicians have an explicit duty to do good for their patients (see beneficence). See also right.... good
n. in ethics, a rule, principle, or law used to direct or guide one’s actions. *Kantian ethics distinguishes between categorical and hypothetical imperatives. Whereas the latter are merely prudent or expedient and will vary with circumstances, the former are binding moral *duties and it is rational that they are applicable to all situations and people. See also deontology.... imperative
approaches to moral questions based on the thought of the German philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724–1804). These seek to discover what is morally right by asking what basic rules all rational people (see autonomy) could adopt for themselves and then act on as an *imperative matter of *duty, regardless of their personal desires or of the possible consequences (see deontology; consequentialism). The Kantian tradition has been influential in medical ethics, especially in its insistence that every human life must be treated as an end in itself and not simply as a means.... kantian ethics
n. what is required rather than simply desired or wanted. In allocating limited health-care resources, clinical need is often defined as the capacity to benefit from an intervention and assessed on a utilitarian basis (see quality of life). Other conceptions of need, such as the state of requiring rescue from a life-threatening situation, are based on *deontology.... need
n. the consequentialist theory that maximizing utility (the greatest good or happiness or preferences of the greatest number) has priority over other ethical considerations. Developed in the 19th century by the British philosophers Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, and thereafter influential in social planning, unadulterated utilitarian policies may threaten the rights (and duties) of individuals and therefore need to be balanced by considerations of *deontology. —utilitarian adj.... utilitarianism
theories that emphasize the ethical importance of the virtues (e.g., honesty or courage), true happiness, and practical wisdom (compare consequentialism; deontology). In medical ethics, the traits of a ‘good doctor’ provide the moral compass by which to assess professional practice.... virtue ethics
Health Encyclopedia