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Basic Concepts in Ethics
˜ Bioethics is the application of ethical theories
and principles to moral issues or problems in
health care.
˜ ANA Position Statement (1994): “The Code [of
Ethics] for Nurses is non-negotiable and that
each nurse has an obligation to uphold and
adhere to the code of ethics.”
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Theories of Ethics
˜ Deontology – an act was moral if its motives or
intentions were good, regardless of the
outcome.
Ø Act deontologists determine the right thing to do by
gathering all the facts and then making a decision.
Ø Rule deontologists emphasize that principles
guide our actions.
Ø Immanuel Kant (1724–1804)
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Theories of Ethics
˜ Virtue ethics – emphasizes the character of the
decision-maker.
Ø Virtues are tendencies to act, feel, and judge that
develop through appropriate training but come from
natural tendencies.
Ø Individuals’ actions are built from a degree of inborn
moral virtue (Burkhardt and Nathaniel, 2002).
Ø Virtues may be what separate the competent nurse
from the exemplary nurse.
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Basic Concepts in Ethics
˜ Moral distress is typically described as a
response to a situation when nurses are faced
with ethical dilemmas but also encounter
institutional constraints that limit their actions
(Pendry, 2007).
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Theories of Ethics
˜ Utilitarianism – moral rightness of an action is
determined solely by its consequence
Ø “What makes an action right or wrong is its utility, with
useful actions bringing about the greatest good for the
greatest number of people” (Guido, 2006, p. 4)
Ø David Hume (1711–1776), Jeremy Bentham (1748–
1832), and John Stuart Mill (1806–1873)
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Theories of Ethics
˜ Principalism – uses key ethical principles of
beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and
justice in resolution of ethical conflicts or
dilemmas
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