Veterinary Ethics

Question 1

VIRTUE

Answer 1

middle ground between two extremeeeeeeeessssssssss (vices)

Question 2

what is Ethics1 (morality) according to Rollin et al, 2006?

Answer 2

beliefs held by society (societal ethic) individuals (personal ethics)
or subgroups (professional ethics)
regarding right/wrong, fair/unfair, just/unjust

Question 3

what is Ethics2 (the study of ethics) according to Rollin et al, 2006?

Answer 3

a branch of philosophy, the logical, rational analysis of ethics1 and an exploration of how ethics1 positions are justified

Question 4

what are the 5 major categories of ethical frameworks?

Answer 4

Utilitarianism/Consequentialist
Kantian/Deontology
Virtue Ethics
Divine Command Theory
Situation Ethics

Question 5

what is Utilitarianism/Consequentialist?

Answer 5

the end justifies the means, aiming for the greatest good for the greatest number

Question 6

what is Kantian/Deontology?

Answer 6

the end doesn’t necessarily justify the means, it is the action that counts

Question 7

what is Virtue Ethics?

Answer 7

is the person good or bad, virtuous or not?

Question 8

what is the Divine Command Theory?

Answer 8

follow your religion - not always clear cut

Question 9

what is Situation Ethics?

Answer 9

no two situations are the same, each requires a different decision

Question 10

what are the 5 ethical viewpoints in the context of animals?

Answer 10

Utilitarian
Relational
Animal rights
Respect for nature
Contractarian

Question 11

describe the utilitarian ethical viewpoint in the context of animals?

Answer 11

greatest good for the greatest number
animals deserve welfare consideration
killing animals may be justified if done humanely

Question 12

describe the relational ethical viewpoint in the context of animals?

Answer 12

this view recognises the importance of relationships between individuals
we have more responsibility for domestic animals as we have a closer relationship to them

Question 13

describe the animal rights ethical viewpoint in the context of animals?

Answer 13

this contrasts to the utilitarian view
holds that good results for the greatest (of people) do not justify inhumane treatment of animals (just because overpopulation means we need more food doesn’t mean we can lower animal welfare standards etc.)
it holds that animals have rights just like humans (who are also animals omg) have human rights

Question 14

describe the respect for nature ethical viewpoint in the context of animals?

Answer 14

we should respect not only animals, but all species
extinction of a species is a loss, not because of the lost resources, but the species itself
under this view, selective breeding may be challenged

Question 15

describe the contractarian ethical viewpoint in the context of animals?

Answer 15

this view assumes that ethical obligations result as contracts between people (an anthropocentric approach)
animals cannot make agreements or contracts, however they matter to other humans - this gives us an indirect obligation to them

Question 16

meaning of anthropocentric?

Answer 16

regarding humankind as the central or most important element of existence, especially as opposed to God or animals.
thinking humans are the best basically - when we’re deffo not

Question 18

what is Mepham’s ethical matrix?

Answer 18

a tool to aid moral decision making, whereby you articulate multiple perspectives and concerns in order to help come to a conclusion

Question 19

what is professionalism?

Answer 19

behaviour governed by the RCVS Code of Conduct
‘Professional ethics’
Not always legally binding, but establishes duties and obligations to animals, to ourselves, our clients, our profession and society via a Professional Code of Conduct

Question 20

what is ethics?

Answer 20

provides guidance to help us understand what we should do
principles, beliefs and rules helping us determine what is right or wrong
looks for better or worse answers and helps people decide how to behave in a particular situation
not always clear-cut as people have different views

Question 21

what is ‘The Law’?

Answer 21

a set of rules and regulations intended to help govern society
In the UK, laws are passed by Acts of Parliament; ideally agreed by majority. ‘Consensual ethics’
E.g. in the context of our profession: The Veterinary Surgeons’ Act, 1966, The Animal Welfare Act, 2006

Question 22

what is the relevance of ethics to the veterinary profession?

Answer 22

society places trust in us, based on our experience, expertise and judgement
vets have self-determination through the RCVS
‘To whom does the veterinarian owe primary obligation: animal or owner? Ought the model for the veterinarian be the paediatrician or the car mechanic?’ (Rollin, 2006)
Vets have a duty to the animal, the client, the profession, society and themselves (Rollin)

Question 23

what is a moral dilemma?

Answer 23

when conflict exists between different actions, where choosing either option will result in a moral transgression by precluding the other

Question 24

what is moral distress?

Answer 24

develops when individuals are constrained in their ability to act in line with their own morals

Question 25

what may moral distress result from?

Answer 25

may result from lack of agency, inadequate resources, lack of training or time constraints

Question 26

what may moral injury result from?

Answer 26

from sustained moral distress and can lead to psychological harm

Question 27

what are 8 strategies for dealing with moral dilemmas and moral distress?

Answer 27

look for guidelines (e.g. legislation/RCVS guidelines) write it down (provides clarification) seek evidence (textbooks) seek professional advice counselling phone a friend develop a self-care plan for employers/managers: develop an open and sharing workplace culture, adequate resources/staffing/time, streamline bureaucracy

Question 28

what are the Contemporary tools - Sarah Wolfensohn: (6 of them)

Answer 28

1. Identify all possible courses of action 2. Establish the interests of affected parties 3. Identify the ethical issues involved 4. Establish the legal position of the dilemma 5. Choose a logical course of action 6. Minimise the impact of the decision