PHI3200_AliciaMosley_Assessmet_Attempt1
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Ethical Theory Matrix
Theory
Decision Criteria
Your Own Example
Strengths
Weaknesses
Utilitarianism
Determines that right and wrong are best determined by focusing on outcomes of actions and choices.
An example of Utilitarianism would be when a healthcare team allocates limited medication to patients whose conditions are deemed most critical and have a higher likelihood of survival with the treatment. This
decision aims to achieve the maximum positive
impact on overall well-being.
It provides a basis for making ethical decisions that are not dependent on personal beliefs or subjective interpretations.
Utilitarianism is adaptable and allows for flexibility in decision-making
The uncertainty about outcomes makes it difficult to consistently apply utilitarian principles,
Critics argue that the motives behind
an action should also be considered in assessing its moral worth.
Kantian Ethics
According to Kant,
individuals have inherent worth and
dignity, and moral decisions should be based on rational principles rather than the consequences of actions.
An example of Kantian ethics includes a situation
where a patient is diagnosed with a serious medical condition, and the recommended treatment involves a complex and potentially risky procedure. The healthcare provider is faced with the task of obtaining informed
consent from the patient.
It's a deontological
ethical theory so it focuses on duties and moral obligations which can be appealing to those who believe in the importance of intrinsic moral duties and the autonomy of rational agents.
The theory states that an action is morally permissible if its maxim can be consistently applied as a universal law without contradiction. This
Kantian Ethics can
be overly rigid and
inflexible in its application of moral principles. Kantian Ethics may struggle to provide clear guidance in situations where moral duties conflict.
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theory can provide
a clear and objective criterion for evaluating the morality of actions.
Ross’s Ethics
Ross ethics is a pluralism about what makes right actions right and there is more than one fundamental right-make.
In an example of Ross’s ethics includes a situation
where a hospital is facing a shortage of ventilators during a public health crisis, and healthcare providers must make decisions about allocating these life-saving resources among patients.
One of the strengths of Ross's ethics is its reliance on common-sense morality. Ross argues that there are intuitively known prima facie
duties that align with our everyday moral intuitions. This makes the theory accessible and reflective of widely accepted moral judgments.
Rossian Pluralism is flexible in recognizing that moral principles may conflict in certain situations. It acknowledges the complexity of real-life ethical dilemmas and allows for the possibility of balancing conflicting duties based on the particulars of a situation.
Some weaknesses include:
Ross introduces the concept of prima facie duties, which are considered fundamental moral
principles. However, critics argue that these duties are somewhat vague and open to interpretation. Determining the precise content and
ranking of prima facie duties in complex situations
can be challenging.
In situations where prima facie duties conflict, Ross does not provide a clear methodology for resolving such conflicts. Critics argue that the theory lacks a systematic approach to prioritizing conflicting duties, leaving room for subjective judgment.
Natural Law Natural Law An example of Natural Law Some weaknesses 2
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Ethics
Ethics is a moral theory that asserts that there are objective moral principles inherent like human beings and the natural world.
Natural Law Ethics in healthcare includes
a situation where a
patient is in a persistent vegetative state with no chance of recovery, and the family is facing the decision of whether to continue life-
sustaining treatment or withdraw it.
Ethics asserts the existence of objective moral principles that are grounded like human beings and the natural world. This provides a foundation for moral objectivity, independent of cultural or individual subjectivity.
Natural Law Ethics claims to offer universal moral principles applicable to all human beings, irrespective of cultural or religious differences. This universality is seen
as a strength, providing a common moral framework for diverse societies.
include:
May not account for cultural variations in moral
values and practices. what is considered morally
right or wrong can vary across different cultures, and Natural Laws's
claim to universal moral principles may not align with
this cultural relativism.
Defining a universal human nature can be challenging.
Austin, M. (2022, September 16). The Ethical Theory of W.D. Ross | Psychology Today
. Www.psychologytoday.com. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ethics-everyone/202209/the-ethical-theory-wd-
ross
Cullity, G. (2011). Ross and the Foundations of Morality
. 2
, 30. https://philosophy.nd.edu/assets/467909/cullity_ross_and_fm_nd_iii22.docx.pdf
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MacDonald, C., & Marcoux, A. (2017, December 20). Ethical Theory: Overview
. The Concise Encyclopedia
of Business Ethics. https://conciseencyclopedia.org/entries/ethical-theory/
Murphy, M. (2019). The Natural Law Tradition in Ethics
. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/natural-law-ethics/
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