DIVINE COMMAND

ETHICS
●It is based on the theory that there is a Supreme or Divine
being that sets down the rules to provide guidance to moral
decisions.

●This theory of ethics may be classified as deontological in

that it is based on the understanding that universal duties
come from God.

●For Christians, these rules are found in the Ten

Commandments.
 OBJECTIONS ON THE DIVINE COMMAND
THEORY:
●The theory is only useful to those who believe in God.

●The theory is incomplete because it does not supply a

procedure for discerning the will of God.

●The theory implies that the list of prohibited actions are

arbitrary.
 UNIVERSAL
PRINCIPLES OF
BIOMEDICAL
ETHICS
AUTONOMY
 Comes from the Greek word autos meaning SELF and
nomos meaning GOVERNANCE.

 It involves self-determination and freedom to choose and

implement one’s decision, free from deceit, duress,
constraint and coercion.

 “informed consent”
 The kind of information provided the patient and his family is
within their level of understanding that they may evaluate the
risks and other options open to them.
• Allowing the patient to refuse treatment if he so decides
• Disclosure of his ailment
• Prognosis, mode of treatment
• Maintaining confidentiality
Restrictions to autonomy may occur when there is potential
harm to others such as communicable diseases or acts of violence
 The person making the decision must be deemed
competent. He must have the intellectual capacity to make a
rational decision and he must be of legal age. Every adult of
sound mind must have the right to determine what should be
done to his body.

Therapeutic privilege is the legal exception of the rule of

informed consent, which allows the caregiver to proceed with
the care in case of emergency, incompetence, waiver or
implied consent.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!