Current Dominant Principle-Based Ethical Theories

Part 1:

1. What are the current dominant principle-based ethical theories utilitarianism and deontology: their strengths and limitations? What do the ethics of care, virtue-based and feminist ethics offer us?

Two dominant principles based ethical theories are utilitarianism and deontology. Utilitarianism is “the belief that an ethical action is one that does the most good. (Merriam-Webster) This ethical theory is beneficial because it can help a large amount of people. However, with utilitarianism, keeping a promise or common morality do not define a “good” action. This theory makes me think of stem cell research. For many people, a life is viewed as sacred from the begging of fertilization and to end a life purposely is immoral. Stem cell researchers may create a life and end it for the means of stem cell research and harvesting. This research can be beneficial to lots of people but does it justify ending a life? Utilitarianism says yes.

Deontology is a theory based on moral obligation.

I prefer this theory because I believe it is important to focus on helping each person instead of focusing on helping every person. Health care providers must look at the needs of every individual patient and do what is morally right to help each one. An act that is morally wrong cannot be justified even if it can end in good. Each person is valued equally and none are sacrificed for the good of others. However, deontology can be limiting because not all things can be viewed as moral or immoral. Also, this theory may limit some practices that can be beneficial to overall population such as stem cell

research.
Ethics of care, virtue-based ethics, and feminist ethics fall hand in hand. A feminist view on ethics of care is “concerned with relationships between persons, cooperation, communication, and emphasis on responsibility and caring.” (Farley). Nurses provide patient care which involves having empathy, and also caring for the family of the patient. This is not the same approach that Gilligan says men usually take, which is justice. I believe that care involves justice but is much more because it is more than just doing the right thing but also being concerned with all aspects of their wellbeing as described by this ethical ideas.
2. What are some metaphors and models of physician-patient relationships and their implications for autonomy? Which model or combination of models seem(s) to you to best serve this end? Christina A. Puchalski, MD, MS’ offers what might be called not-run-of-the-mill insight in her article “The Role of Spirituality in Health Care”. What do they contribute to the conversation?

Patient autonomy is the right of a patient to make decisions about their medical care without the influence of the healthcare provider. The patient has a right to decide whether they want to have surgery or procedures. The physician has to share the benefits and risks of treatment with the patient and then let them make their decision on whether or not they will elect to receive the treatment. The physician has to respect the decision that the patient has made and still provide care to the patient.

In “The Role of Spirituality in Health Care” Puchalski takes a unordinary approach to compassionate care by providing meaning in the patients suffering.