Transcript Kant and Duties - Worshipful Society of Apothecaries

Rachel Warren
4th October 2014
[email protected]
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Session Aims:
 To introduce key concepts in Kantian ethics.
 To apply these to some specific examples and case
studies in medicine.
 To identify some strengths and weaknesses of Kantian
ethics in this context.
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Key Concepts:
 Deontological ethics:
 From the Gk. deon – duty, rights, obligations, rules.
 Actions done from duty, for duty’s sake, have moral
worth.
 Brainstorm: duties of a doctor.
 Hypothetical and Categorical Imperatives.
 The Good Will.
 Intention vs. outcome.
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The Categorical Imperative


The supreme principle of morality.
Formulations (equivalent?):
Universalizability test.
2. Respect for Persons.
3. Kingdom of Ends.
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The Moral Law:

Examples of the categorical imperative.
Suicide
2. False promises
3. Squandered talent
4. Offer and ask no help
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Case Study: Assisted Suicide.
 See Patrick and Carlos handout.
 Discuss in small groups and feed back.
Johnston, C and Bradbury P 2008: 100 Cases in Clinical Ethics and Law. London, Hodder Arnold. PP. 7-8.
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Case study: Truth-telling in medicine
 Collins vs. Higgs:
 Should doctors tell patients the truth?
 (Is lying to patients ever justified?)
 Group 1: Yes, reasons why doctors should tell patients
the truth.
 Group 2: No, reasons why lying to patients is justified.
 Both Groups: What would a Kantian say about this,
and why? Would the Kantian be right?
Collins, J 1927: 'Should doctors tell the truth?’ ch.63 in Kuhse H and Singer, P (eds.) Bioethics: an anthology: 1999: Oxford,
Blackwell. pp. 501-506.
Higgs, R 1985: ‘On telling patients the truth’ ch. 64 (in the same volume), pp. 507-512.
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Additional examples:
 The inquiring murderer.
 Breaking promises, murder, rape, dishonesty, theft,
fraud, suicide.
 Confidentiality
 Abortion
 Organ markets.
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Strengths and Weaknesses:
 Evaluating deontological approaches to ethics in
medicine.
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Strengths:
Weaknesses:
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Key Objections:
 Separation of intention and outcome.
 Universalizability test.
 Doing duty for duty’s sake.
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Summary:
 Key concepts in deontological ethics.
 Application to the medical context.
 Strengths and weaknesses of Kantian ethics, and key
objections.
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Further Reading:
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[email protected]
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