 Focuses on the heart of the person performing the

act.

 Focuses on the traits and virtues of a good person

such as courage, temperance, wisdom and justice.

 One must have the right motivation, disposition and

traits for being good and doing right such as
courage, honesty, justice and beneficence.
VIRTUE ETHICS APPROACH:

1. INTELLECTUAL VIRTUE
2. MORAL VIRTUE
Power to deliberate about things
good for oneself
Learning how to do things on
her own
• There is a Supreme or Divine being that
sets down the rules to provide guidance
to moral decisions
 Ex. Ten
Commandments
1. AUTONOMY
2. VERACITY
3. BENEFICENCE
4. NONMALEFICENCE
5. JUSTICE
1. AUTONOMY
• Greek word “ autos” meaning self and “nomos”
meaning governance
• self determination and freedom to choose and
implement one’s decision, free from deceit (misleads a
person or which causes him to believe what is
false),duress (coercion) and constraint
• Ex. Informed consent
2. VERACITY

Bound to tell the truth to increase one’s

credibility
A. Pt’s responsibility:

• To provide accurate and complete information

about his complaints, past illness, previous
hospitalizations, medications being taken,
allergies, religious restrictions and other matters
relevant to health
 B. Physician's
responsibility:

• Tell all necessary information about his diagnosis,

plan of care, treatment and possible risks
involved, the length of treatment, possible
expenses, and other options they may take if there
be any.
3. BENEFICENCE

• Doing acts of kindness and mercy that directly benefit

the patient.

• These acts promote the health of the patient, prevent

illness or complications, alleviate sufferings and assist
towards a peaceful death if the inevitable comes.
1.Considerate and respectful care
2. Right to informed consent.
3. Make decisions regarding his plan of care, in case of refusal
he is entitled to other appropriate care and service or be
transferred to another hospital.
4. Have an advance directive.
5. Every consideration of his privacy such as in case discussion,
consultation and treatment.
6. Confidentiality of communication and records.

7. Review his records concerning his medical care and have

these explained to him except when restricted by law.

8. Be informed of business relationship among the hospital,

educational institution, health care providers that may
influence the patient’s treatment care.
9. Consent or decline to participate in experimental research
affecting his care.

10. Reasonable continuity of care when appropriate and be

informed of other care options when hospital care is no linger
appropriate.

11. Be informed of hospital policies and practices that relate to

patient care.
4. NONMALEFICENCE

• To do no harm
• Ex. Not assisting or performing abortion or
not performing euthanasia or mercy killing
5. JUSTICE

Right to demand to
be treated fairly,
justly and equally