what is health ethics
systematic reflection on values and norms guiding health decisions
what is the is-ought gap and an example
moving from a factual statement to a value judgement
- ex: if smoking causes cancer, smoking is immoral
if a surgeon has two patients, one needs a complex operation that could save their life but will take all afternoon, while the other four need a minor but very urgent procedure that could be done in the same time, what would a consequentialist recommend
treat four minor cases
a health department exaggerates stats about vaping harms to discourage use among teens, which framework would likely criticize this as morally wrong?
- Kantian ethics
in a flu epidemic a clinic denies vaccines to people from outside the city to protect local supply, which framework would most likely support this decision
utilitarianism, because it maximizes benefit for the largest group
consequentialism and deontology may lead to the same moral decision but for different reasons
true
a hospital allocates a scarce number of dialysis machines to patients with the highest survival probability, which principle most emphasized
justice
a physician refuses to prescribe antibiotics for a viral infection despite strong patient demand, what principle?
non-maleficence
in principlism what is the main purpose of specification
to reduce the indeterminacy of abstract norms
- gives principles action-guiding content
according to Holm modern democratic societies are characterized by
a pluralism of incompatible but reasonable doctrines
monism
the belief in a single, unified moral truth or framework
ethical pluralism recognizes that
different moral norms may conflict, but rational comparison between them is possible
mills harm principle when is it acceptable for the state to restrict an individual’s liberty
- only to prevent harm to others
dirty hands dilemma
whether decision makers may commit immoral actions for greater moral ends
libertarian paternalism
guiding choices while preserving freedom of choice
egalitarianism is normative
true
moral relativism and moral pluralism are the same theory
false
- pluralism acknowledges value conflicts but avoids “anything goes”
when is it ethically acceptable to use deception in research under TCPS2
when justified by significant scientific value and followed by debriefing
ongoing consent
consent may be revisited as new information arises
why might health be considered a social primary good
it determines our ability to pursue life plans
original position is meant to
simulate a negotiation under perfect equality of power and knowledge
Rawls difference principle allows inequalities only if
they benefit the least advantaged
Rawls’ Justice principle
equal basic liberties for all
Rawls’ fair equality of opportunity means
equal chances regardless of background
