Question

In addition to the principles we have brought to bear on our conversations and decision-making, some ethicists insist that principle-based ethics, while important, are not completely adequate.

“Medical ethics has placed undue emphasis on the autonomy of patients while neglecting social contexts and responsibilities. [The author] proposes an ethic of caring arising from women's experience that embraces the concrete reality of patients as embodied persons. This ethic of caring is rooted in a Western spiritual tradition that believes in a God of

mercy and so demands that we be merciful as well. The truly merciful heart (misericordia) is one that experiences compassion, but also knows its requirements.” Margaret Farley, PhD

“Virtue ethics resonates with my experience of life in which the nature of our character is of fundamental importance. Ethical principles that tell us what action to take do not take into account the nature of the moral agent. Although we must make moral decisions with much care and consideration, I do not consider it wise to strip this process of affect or attitude and focus on reason alone. Humans are sophisticated creatures with an ability to reason that is tempered by our emotional reactions. These reactions are an integral part of how we perceive and assess the world around us but they also influence our judgments. Virtue ethics recognises this important component of our moral experience. It explores how moral agents can learn by habitual practise how to develop good characteristics that will enable us to behave well. I found it a refreshing and exciting discovery that the character of the moral agent could be of pivotal importance.” P Gardiner, MD

What have you learned that affirms or ignores the concerns of the above authors? .

Answer 1

  To understand the decision making process in this case, nurse should consider all the principles ofBeauchamp and Childress before taking any decision namely autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice.

The ethics of virtue approach also has the advantage of giving way to emotions, even with all the rationalism involved in it .Emotions are part of moral and constitutive perceptions of value judgments . and moral education in virtues depends on feelings as reactions of our own actions.

These reflections are congruent with the wisdom in action, where both reflecting and acting accordingly to such reflections shape virtues.Virtue ethics serve this purpose since they focus on emotions and the way in which they affect our moral judgments. In addition, they consider motivation towards behaving well while adapting to circumstances, which often comes in the form of dilemmas, with flexibility and creativity.

Virtue ethics serve this purpose since they focus on emotions and the way in which they affect our moral judgments . In addition, they consider motivation towards behaving well while adapting to circumstances, which often comes in the form of dilemmas, with flexibility and creativity.