Module 1-3 worksheet ethical and legal considerations (1)
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Southern New Hampshire University *
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IHP-420-X3
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Jan 9, 2024
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docx
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3
Uploaded by PrivateRiverDragonfly6
IHP 420 Ethical Theories Worksheet
Part One
Propose a solution to the following scenario using each of the five ethical theories presented in this
module. Explain how your solution aligns with the major ideas within each theory.
Scenario: There is a pandemic of a contagious disease. In the United States, there is only enough of the
vaccine to cover 70% of the population. How do you determine who gets the vaccine?
Theory
Solution
a.
Utilitarianism
Utilitarianism is a theory of morality that
advocates actions that foster happiness and
oppose actions that cause unhappiness. Under
utilitarianism, we would maximize happiness and
minimize suffering. The best way to distribute the
vaccine as we witnessed during the Covid
pandemic is to do so in tiers where those who are
the highest risk such as physicians, public
healthcare workers, nurses, elderly and those
with compromised immune systems to receive
the vaccines first. Those who are low risk such as
educators should receive the second tier as well
as hospital staff who are not in direct contact
with patients.
b.
Rights-based ethics
Rights-based ethics theory dictates that all
individuals irrespective of age, race, gender, or
health conditions should receive the vaccination
as it is their right. This would mean that every
individual receives an equal opportunity to
receive the vaccination.
c.
Duty-based ethics
Duty- based ethics would mean that decisions on
who gets vaccinated will be morally correct even
if it has poor consequences in the bigger picture.
This would mean that those who are
immunocompromised, for example, should
receive the vaccination first before essential
workers such as front-line workers.
d.
Justice-based ethics
Justice -based ethics dictates that all individuals
be treated equally irrespective of their
socioeconomic status, social standing or job
status. A solution could be all individuals
receiving a vaccination but 30 percent, not
knowing who, receives a placebo.
e.
Virtue-based ethics
Virtue-based ethics would rely on the leaders of
the country to distribute it to those who need it
the most.
Part Two
Consider the same scenario, but explain what process you would need to add to your solution to protect
the bioethics principles.
Principle
Solution
a.
Autonomy
Autonomy is the right or condition of self-
government. Each individual receiving a
vaccination would need to be informed of
the pros and cons as well as consent would
be required prior to vaccination.
b.
Beneficence
Beneficence is the ethical principle of doing
good or acting in the best interest of the
patient. Should a patient deny getting
vaccinated, the physician has to decide for
the patient since the pros outweigh the cons
and against the autonomy but for the
benefit of the patient and others. The
vaccine has to administered regardless.
c.
Nonmalfeasance
Nonmalfeasance represents the physician’s
attempt to avoid any act or treatment plan
that would harm the patient or violate the
patient’s trust. If the risk of administering
the vaccine is greater than the benefit, then
the “Do Not Harm” oath of the physician is
invoked and they have to respect the
patients’ wishes.
d.
Justice
The vaccine is administered irrespective of
age, gender, education, relationship or
socioeconomic status or illnesses.
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