OTHER BASIC CONCEPTS IN ETHICS

Moral and Non-Moral Standards

• Moral standards involve the rules
people have about the kinds of actions
they believe are morally right and
wrong, as well as the values they place
on the kinds of objects they believe are
morally good and morally bad.
Non-moral standards refer to rules that are
unrelated to moral or ethical considerations.
Either these standards are not necessarily
linked to morality or by nature lack ethical
sense. Basic examples of non-moral
standards include rules of etiquette, fashion
standards, rules in games, and various house
rules.Non-moral standards refer to rules that are
unrelated to moral or ethical considerations.
Either these standards are not necessarily
linked to morality or by nature lack ethical
sense. Basic examples of non-moral
standards include rules of etiquette, fashion
standards, rules in games, and various house
rules.
Characteristics of Moral Laws
1.Deals with matters we think can seriously
injure or benefit humans, animals and the
environment.
2.Not established or changed by the decision of
authoritative individual.
3. Overriding, that is, they take precedence over
the other standards and considerations,
especially of self interest.
4. Based on impartial considerations.
5. Associated with special emotions and
vocabulary.
Moral Dilemma
• Dilemma: a situation where a person is
forced to choose between two or more
conflicting options. Neither of which is
acceptable.
• example
Mayor to choose protection of forest and
allowing miners and loggers for the
economy...not a moral dilemma
Moral Dilemma
• Are situations where persons who are
called “moral agents” in ethics are
forced choose between two or more
conflicting options , neither of which
resolves the situation in a morally
acceptable manner.
A mother who is religious:
killing is absolutely wrong:
Ectopic pregnancy: fetus those not
develop in the uterus>>> kill the mother
A: abortion>>save her life and
jeopardize her belief
B:No abortion>>endanger both their life
Conditions that must be present
1. The person or the agent of a moral
action is obliged to make a decision
about which course of action is best.
2. There must be different course of
action to choose from.
3. No matter course of action is taken,
one moral principle are always
compromised.
Levels of Moral Dilemma
• Individual: ethical standards of
individuals may have a different set of
ethical standards from those who run
and manage the organization, and this
can lead to tension.
• Factors such as peer pressure,
personal financial position , and
socioeconomic status all may influence
ethical standards.Levels of Moral Dilemma
• Individual: ethical standards of
individuals may have a different set of
ethical standards from those who run
and manage the organization, and this
can lead to tension.
• Factors such as peer pressure,
personal financial position , and
socioeconomic status all may influence
ethical standards.
2.Organizational: Ethical standards are embedded
in the policies and procedures of the organization
,and form important foundation on which strategy is
built.
These policies derive from the influences felt at
systemic level and therefore help an organization
to respond to changing pressures in the most
effective way.
• there can be a gap between the company
policy on ethical standards and conduct of
those in charge of running the organization,
especially if they are not direct
owners/founders which can present an ethical
challenge for some individuals
• EXAMPLE
Principle that when followed promote values such as trust
good behavior fairness and kindness
ES: organization hospital :to provide jobs to the community.
Nurses System decrease
Systemic:
systemic level, ethics are defined and influence
by the wider operating environment in which the
organization exist.
Factors such as :
political pressure, economic conditions, societal
attitudes to certain organization, and even
organizational regulation can influence its
operating standards and policies. Systemic:
systemic level, ethics are defined and influence
by the wider operating environment in which the
organization exist.
Factors such as :
political pressure, economic conditions, societal
attitudes to certain organization, and even
organizational regulation can influence its
operating standards and policies.
Leaders and managers must be aware of how
these pressure affects operations and
relationship, and how they may impact on
others locally
Types of Moral Dilemma
1) Epistemic and ontological dilemmas.
2) Self-imposed and world-imposed
dilemmas.
3) Obligation dilemmas and prohibition
dilemmas.
4) Single agent and multi-person
dilemmas.
Epistemic MD
• There are two or more
moral requirements
that conflict with each
other.
• The moral agent
hardly knows which
one takes precedence
over the other
Ontological MD
• Two or more requirement
that conflict with each other,
yet neither of these
conflicting moral
requirements overrides each
other:
• Neither of the moral
requirement is stronger that
the other ;Hence the moral
agent can hardly choose
between conflicting moral
requirementEpistemic MD
• There are two or more
moral requirements
that conflict with each
other.
• The moral agent
hardly knows which
one takes precedence
over the other
Ontological MD
• Two or more requirement
that conflict with each other,
yet neither of these
conflicting moral
requirements overrides each
other:
• Neither of the moral
requirement is stronger that
the other ;Hence the moral
agent can hardly choose
between conflicting moral
requirement
Self Impose MD
• Caused by morals
agent wrong doing
• mayor indigenous
vs mining
corporation
World impose MD
• Certain events in
the world place
the moral agent in
a situation of
moral conflictSelf Impose MD
• Caused by morals
agent wrong doing
• mayor indigenous
vs mining
corporation
World impose MD
• Certain events in
the world place
the moral agent in
a situation of
moral conflict
Obligation Dilemma
• More that one
feasible action is
obligatory
• “Sartre’s Student”
Prohibition Dilemma
• All feasible
actions are
forbidden
• “Sophia’s Choice”Obligation Dilemma
• More that one
feasible action is
obligatory
• “Sartre’s Student”
Prohibition Dilemma
• All feasible
actions are
forbidden
• “Sophia’s Choice”
Single Agent Dillema
• The agent “ought, all
things considered, to do
A, ought, all things
considered, to do B, and
she cannot do both A and
B”. In other words, the
moral agent is compelled
to act on two or more
equally the same moral
options but she cannot
choose both.
• “HIV patient”
Multi person dilemma
• The situation is such that one
agent, P1, ought to do A, a
second agent, P2, ought to
• do B, and though each
• agent can do what he ought
• to do, it is not possible both
for P1 to do A and P2 to
• do B.”
• The multi-person dilemma
requires more than choosing
what is right, it also entails
that the persons
involved reached a general
consensus.
Foundations of Morality
A. Freedom
B. Responsibility
“Freedom means we make our way with in the
limits of physical and material entanglement. It
is in the space within these limits that we
exercise our choices. In these limits. We either
live a life of virtue or vice. and to live in either
way depends on our choices”
“The person is the owner of her actions”Foundations of Morality
A. Freedom
B. Responsibility
“Freedom means we make our way with in the
limits of physical and material entanglement. It
is in the space within these limits that we
exercise our choices. In these limits. We either
live a life of virtue or vice. and to live in either
way depends on our choices”
Minimum Requirement for Morality:
Reason and Impartiality
• “Man is a Rational being”
• Reason serve as a grounding principle
of moral actions”.
• Categorical imperative stands as the
impartial judge which ensures that ones
action are unfettered by one’s interests.
a cause, explanation, or justification
for an action or event.
in Kantian ethics) an unconditional
moral obligation which is binding in
all circumstances and is not
dependent on a person's inclination
or purpose
Moral Principle Involved in Action having Two Effects
Double effect means that an act is
foreseen to have both good and bad
effects
There are certain conditions in which
some evil or bad effects, voluntary in
cause, maybe permitted to occur
PRINCIPLE OF
LEGITIMATE COOPERATION
Cooperation means
participation of one agent with
another agent to produce a
particular or joint effect
• THE MORAL AGENT• THE MORAL AGENT
The Six Pillars of Character
• The Six Pillars of Character are the core
ethical values of CHARACTER COUNTS
• These values were identified by a
nonpartisan, secular group of youth
development experts in 1992 as core
ethical values that transcend cultural,
religious, and socioeconomic differences.The Six Pillars of Character
• The Six Pillars of Character are the core
ethical values of CHARACTER COUNTS
• These values were identified by a
nonpartisan, secular group of youth
development experts in 1992 as core
ethical values that transcend cultural,
religious, and socioeconomic differences.
• Each of the Six Pillars of Character help
instil a positive school climate and a culture
of kindness, making schools a safe
environment for students to learn

ARISTOTLE
• Greek Aristoteles, (born 384 BCE,
Stagira, Chalcidice, Greece—died
322, Chalcis, Euboea), ancient Greek
philosopher and scientist, one of the
greatest intellectual figures of Western
history
• He was the author of a philosophical
and scientific system that became the
framework and vehicle for both
Christian Scholasticism and medieval
Islamic philosophy.
• His writings in ethics and political
theory as well as in metaphysics and the
philosophy of science continue to be
studied, and his work remains a
powerful current in contemporary
philosophical debate.
ARISTOTLE CHARACTER CATEGORIES
• Each person can be characterized into 4
different character types.
• virtuous,
• continent,
• incontinent,
• vicious.
• Depending on how you look on life or how
you morally think, decides on each
category you end up in.
• Virtuous.
• This person knows how to do the right
thing and gladly does it.
An example of this is when you find a
wallet on the ground. Usually when there is
money inside people will keep it and walk
away as if nothing has happened. A
virtuous person would gladly find the
owner of the wallet and return it with no
regrets.• Virtuous.
• This person knows how to do the right
thing and gladly does it.
An example of this is when you find a
wallet on the ground. Usually when there is
money inside people will keep it and walk
away as if nothing has happened. A
virtuous person would gladly find the
owner of the wallet and return it with no
regrets.
• Continent.
• This person know the right decision but
struggles against desires. Now lets go back
to the wallet example. Lets say you find a
wallet and see there is 100 pesos in it. You
know you should give the wallet to the
owner but you start to think about those
new pair of sneakers you want. You then
start to have a mind war and cannot decide• Continent.
• This person know the right decision but
struggles against desires. Now lets go back
to the wallet example. Lets say you find a
wallet and see there is 100 pesos in it. You
know you should give the wallet to the
owner but you start to think about those
new pair of sneakers you want. You then
start to have a mind war and cannot decide
• if you should return it or not. Ultimately
you decide to return the wallet but aren't
so happy about it.
Incontinent
• This person is able to make the right
decision but suffers from weakness of
will. Think about those new pair of
sneakers you want. You just found a wallet
with enough
• cash to buy those sneakers and maybe a
little extra spending money.
• You know you could return the wallet but
also know those sneakers would look good
on you. Obviously you decide to keep the
money.
Vicious person
Their decisions are morally wrong and desires the
same.
• They seem to not struggle with their unmoral
decisions.
• Now if they find a wallet with money in it they do
not hesitate on this decision. They keep the
wallet and keep walking on like nothing. So some
words of wisdom: hopefully your lost wallet isn't
found by a vicious person.
Level of Moral Development
• Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral
development constitute an adaptation
of a psychological theory originally
conceived by the Swiss
psychologist Jean Piaget.

• The six stages of moral development are

grouped into three levels of morality:
• pre-conventional,
• conventional, and
• post-conventional morality.
• For his studies, Kohlberg relied on stories
such as the Heinz dilemma and was
interested in how individuals would justify
their actions if placed in similar moral
dilemmas.
Level 1 (Pre-Conventional)
• 1. Obedience and punishment orientation(How can I
avoid punishment?)
• 2. Self-interest orientation(What's in it for
me?)(Paying for a benefit)
Level 2 (Conventional)
• 3. Interpersonal accord and conformity(Social
norms)(The good boy/girl attitude)
• 4. Authority and social-order maintaining
orientation(Law and order morality)
Level 3 (Post-Conventional)
• 5. Social contract orientation
• 6. Universal ethical principles(Principled conscience)

ETHICS CODE OF ETHICS FILIPINO AND ICN

The nine provisions

within the Code are
based on fundamental
values of the nurse,
the boundaries of
duty and loyalty and
duties beyond
patient encounters.
 The provisions are
long to read but
important to
understand.
 Provision 1 Summary: The
first provision of the
Code is focused on
practicing with
compassion and
recognition of the
dignity, worth and
qualities of every
person.
 Provision 2 Summary: The
second provision focuses
on keeping the patient
at the center of care.
The nurse
should advocate for the
betterment of the
patient while keeping
appropriate boundaries.
 Provision 3 Summary: The third
provision helps protect the
health, rights and safety of
the patient. Some examples
include HIPAA laws, Privacy
Acts and keeping
confidentiality, with special
focus given to the challenges
of maintaining confidentiality
in social media environments.
Upholding the patient's right
to choose whether or not to
participate in research is
also expressed in this
provision. It is the duty of
the nurse to keep patients
safe from questionable
practice or impaired practice
by other members of the
healthcare team.
 Provision 4 Summary:
 The fourth provision focuses on
accepting responsibility and
accountability of the patient
based on nursing practice and
delegation. Delegating the right
responsibilities to the right
personnel is the responsibility of
the nurse.
 Provision 5 Summary: The fifth
provision emphasizes that "nurses
have a duty to take the same care
for their own health and safety"
as they do for others. This
provision also offers guidelines
on compliance and continuing
education for the nurse. Nurses
keep their commitment to lifelong
learning through continuing
education hours set forth by their
state nursing board.
 Provision 6 Summary: The sixth
provision helps nurses improve
the healthcare environment by
becoming influencers.
Individually and collectively
influencing the public
includes displaying
professionalism both in and
outside the workplace.
 Provision 7 Summary: The
seventh provision maintains
that nurses should engage with
and stay involved in
healthcare policy, research
and advancement. This includes
being a preceptor to new
nurses and becoming leaders.
Being part of a committee and
supporting the next generation
of nurses are other ways to
stay involved.
 Provision 8 Summary: The eighth
provision supports the health
needs of the community nationally
and internationally. This includes
needs both within and outside the
community.
 Provision 9 Summary: The ninth
provision requires the profession
of nursing to spell out nursing
values, uphold the integrity of
nursing and incorporate the tenets
of social justice into nursing and
health policy. This provision also
stipulates that nurses must
"promote awareness of and
adherence to" international codes
of ethics for nurses, including
ANA's code, the International
Council of Nurses’
 ICN Code of Ethics for Nurses and
others. Professional organizations
serve to implement this provision.
Ethical
Conflic
ts in
Nursing
 Ethical conflicts in the
nursing world are not
uncommon. An ethical conflict
occurs when a person, group or
society is uncertain about
what to do when faced with
competing moral choices.
 A recent study found that the
ethical conflicts experienced
by nurses interviewed by
researchers generally
involved: "Situations that
violated the rights, safety or
well-being of the patient or
relatives, caused them
suffering, were against their
will or threatened nurses'
dignity and professionalism
through a variety of
practices, attitudes and
relationships."
 Examples of Ethical conflicts
• End-of-life care: Patients at
the end of life have wishes
for their care. Nurses must
abide by patients' wishes and
provide care without doing
harm.
• Labor and delivery: An ethical
dilemma arises on the topic
of induction of labor.
Patients can schedule their
delivery for any date past the
39-week mark.
• Neonatal: An ethical dilemma
that arises in the neonatal
intensive care unit is the
ability to resuscitate micro
premature babies. The question
is, "Even if saving the baby
is possible, should we as
healthcare providers do so?"
Saving the baby could result
in a total-care child.
FILIPINO
NURSES
CODE OF
ETHICS
 1. Maintenance of
loyalty to the
nursing profession
and preservation of
its integrity are
ideal.
 2. Compliance with
the by-laws of the
accredited
professional
organization (PNA)
and other
professional
organizations of
which Registered
Nurse is a member is
a lofty duty.
 3. Commitment to
continual learning and
active participation
in the development and
growth of the
profession are
commendable
obligations.
 4. Contribution to the
improvement of the
socio-economic
conditions and general
welfare of nurses
through appropriate
legislation is a
practice and visionary
mission 3. Commitment to
continual learning and
active participation
in the development and
growth of the
profession are
commendable
obligations.
 4. Contribution to the
improvement of the
socio-economic
conditions and general
welfare of nurses
through appropriate
legislation is a
CODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSES
 NURSES AND PEOPLE
Uphold the rights of individuals.
Take into consideration the
culture and values of clients in
providing nursing care, however, in
the event of conflicts, the clients’
welfare and safety must take
precedence.
CODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSES
 NURSES AND PEOPLE
Consider the individuality and totality of clients when administering care.
Respect the spiritual beliefs and practices of clients regarding diet and
treatment.CODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSES
 NURSES AND PEOPLE
Consider the individuality and totality of clients when administering care.
Respect the spiritual beliefs and practices of clients regarding diet and treatment.
CODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSES
NURSES AND PRACTICE
Human life is inviolable
Quality and excellence in the care of the
client are the goals of nursing practice
The hallmark of accurate documentation of
actions and outcomes of delivered care is a
nursing accountability.
CODE OF ETHICS FOR
NURSES
Nurses and Co-workers:
- solidarity
Collegial and collaborative relationships
meet ethico-legal standards
Respect rights of co-workers
CODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSES
Nurses and Society:
Perform roles as citizens
Environmental care and
preservation
Projecting good image of
the professionCODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSES
Nurses and Society:
Perform roles as citizens
Environmental care and
preservation
Projecting good image of
the profession
CODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSES
Nurses and the Profession
Membership in
professional organizations
Professional
advancement
Assert labor ad work
standardsCODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSES
Nurses and the Profession
Membership in
professional organizations
Professional
advancement
Assert labor ad work