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Ethical Theory & Philosophy

Terms in this set (27)

Ethical Theory
-Branch of philosophy that seeks to address questions about morality
-Moral judgments are not rigid; they are subject to change/fluid
-Do you think that years of formal education correlates more than age to moral judgment?
Concepts and Influences on Ethics
Morals
Mores
Values
Parameters
Morals:
A standard of thought and conduct. What is right and good. The main influence is maturity and education.
Mores:
The fundamental moral views of a social or professional group.
Values:
Beliefs and attitudes which motivate and guide our behavior; these may change over time.
Parameters:
A set of properties whose values determines our behavior.
~ personal
~ professional
~ public
4 Theories of Moral Development
1. Piaget's Four-stage Model
2. Kohlberg's (3 levels and 6 stages) Model
3. Gilligan's Model (3 levels)
4. Cognitive Development:
Piaget's Four-stage Model
~Stage 1. Amoral: 0-2 yoa
~Stage 2. Egocentric: 2-7 yoa
~Stage 3. Heteronomous: 7-12 yoa
~Stage 4. Autonomous: 12-older; initially rules are tested then eventual desire to please others
Kohlberg's (3 levels and 6 stages) Model
~Level 1 (Pre-Conventional): Rules determine right/wrong
Stage 1. obedience/punishment
Stage 2. Self-interest (what's in in for me?)
~Level 2 (Conventional): Pleasing others
Stage 3. interpersonal conformity per social norms (good boy/good girl)
Stage 4. Authority and social order (law & order morality)
~Level 3 (Post-Conventional): Conscience dictates behavior
Stage 5. Laws, rights, & values; Democracy gov.
Stage 6. Principled conscience; very few reach this level, e.g., Martin Luther King
3. Gilligan's Model (3 levels)
~Level 1: Morality is a means to individual survival; caring and submissive
~Level 2: Self-sacrifice/goodness
~Level 3. Nonviolence
4. Cognitive Development:
Individuals are a product of the experiences, e.g., schooling is a catalyst to ethical development
Kohlberg - "Thought guides Behavior"
-Male Justice Orientation
-Objective
-Impersonal Moral Grounds
-More thought, better moral judgements
Gilligan - Adds " female" moral development
-Responsibility to "ethics of caring" based on how humans evolved and then currently raised
-Example...why do we report child abuse?
Character definition-
Qualities of strengths and weaknesses that form an individual, e.g., trust, fairness, responsibility, veracity, etc.
Six Core Ethical Values:
Trustworthiness
Respect
Responsibility
Fairness
Caring
Citizenship
1. Cognitive aspects of moral development are only part of the story, developing Right/Wrong is a habit based on experiences
...
2. Ethical or Moral can be ill defined and not applied consistantly
...
Consequentialist Ethics
An action or rule is right insofar as it produces or leads to the maximazation of good consequences
What are the consequences related to other rules?
For example : Should a hygienist remove overhangs?
Utilitarianism : Fluoride?
Deontology (Nonconsequentialism)
Acts are right or wrong regardless of their consequences. They are determined to be the result of 'overriding duty'
Mostly negative rules "Don't lie ,cheat or steal" Immanuel Kant-Categorical/Imperfect Imperative Golden Rule?
Example. Murder of an innocent man, even is consequences are the death of many other innocents?
Virtue Ethics
"Stable set of character"
Virtue = " acquired by a person through learning, reflection, repetition" -Aristotle
Act correctly as a "habit"
Moral Reasoning-What is moral reasoning?
Answer: Provides a frame of reference to make morally responsible actions or decisions to moral dilemmas
3 Ethical Theories
1.Consequentialism/Utilitarian
2.Nonconsequentialist/Deontologic
3.Virtue
Consequentialism/Utilitarian:
: (John Stuart Mill): Focuses on consequences; best possible outcome for the greatest number of people; "the greatest happiness theory". Democracy?
Nonconsequentialist/Deontologic
(Immanuel Kant). Focuses on the morality of the act rather than the consequences of actions. "It's the principle of the thing; it's your duty", e.g., HIPPA
Virtue
(Plato and Aristotle). Focuses on excellence of character. Is this what a virtuous person would do?
The dental hygiene graduate must be able to discern and manage ethical issues of dental hygiene practice in a rapidly changing environment.
A. Practice with ethical reasoning and professional integrity.
B. Abide by state and federal laws and regulations.
C. Treat all patients without discrimination.
D. Maintain honesty in relationships with patients, colleagues and other professionals.
E. Cultural Sensitivity/Competence includes an awareness of and accounting for cultural differences during human interaction.
Cultures differ in language, expression, gender roles, dress, and diets; all which can affect our communication
Summary Page 36
Read this thoroughly!

It represents much of what your professional life will be like.
"Ethics is the activity of man directed to secure the inner perfection of his own personality." Albert Schweitzer.
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