Transcript Bioethics
Valuable Warmup 1. Define what you think a “value” is. 2. Explain two examples of personal values. Values Auction • Review the values list and write down the values that are most important to you. • Make some notes about which values are most important to you (the ones you want to make sure you get in the auction) • Bid for values using your 100 resource points…you only have 100 do spend them wisely! Values • Do you think you have the same values as your parents? Why or why not? Pillow Angel • Read the article “Pillow Angel” and write 1 paragraph with your reaction to the article. (What do you think about what Ashley’s parents decided to do? What would you do?) Socratic Seminar Rules • Refer to the text when needed during the discussion • It’s OK to pass when you are asked to contribute. • Do not stay confused…ask for clarification. • Stick to the point under discussion. • Speak up so that all can hear you. • Discuss ideas rather than each others opinions. Socratic Seminar • You MUST have entry ticket to participate. • Everyone starts with a C. – If you positively contribute to the discussion you go up a letter grade. – If you negatively contribute to the discussion you go down a letter grade. – If you choose not to say anything you need to take notes on the discussion and write a ½ page reflection about what was discussed. Should doctors perform non-life saving surgery on people who can’t give their permission for the surgery? Angelic Reflection • What things were said during the class period that changed your understanding of this issue, changed your mind or raised a point you had not considered? What is an Ethical Question? An Ethical Question: • Begins with “should” • Involves consideration of conflicting moral choices. • Arise because our behavior is capable of influencing the welfare of others. • Generated when the values of a person or group conflict with each other Values – Morals - Ethics Values signify what is important and worthwhile. They serve as the basis for moral codes and ethical reflection. One expression of values might be that ‘Life is sacred.’ Morals are codes of conduct controlling behavior. They are an expression of values reflected in actions and practices. “One should not kill” provides a guideline for action based upon values. Ethics provide a systematic, rational way to work through dilemmas and to determine the best course of action in the face of conflicting choices. “If killing is wrong, can one justify the death penalty or kill in self-defense?” Science vs. Ethics 1) In your lab notebook draw a line and write “Purely Subjective – all opinions” and “Purely Objective – all facts” at either ends. 2) Locate the point where they believe Science falls on the line and draw it in. 3) Locate the point where Ethics falls on the line and draw it in. 4) Draw the point where different sciences fall: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Social Sciences (Psychology). Ask them to mark where Math falls. 5) Draw the point Personal Preferences fall (ex: favorite ice cream flavors) Ethical Concepts and Approaches Rules An action is right if it follows certain fundamental moral rules (such as “don’t treat people as a means to an end”) Virtues An action is right if it conforms to a model set of attributes that is inherent in a particular community. Outcomes / Consequences An action is right if good consequences outweigh bad consequences. Ethical Principles Respect for persons: Acknowledge a person’s right to make choices, to hold views, and to take actions based on personal values and beliefs. Justice: Treat others fairly, distribute benefits / burdens fairly. Beneficence (Do good): Provide benefits to persons and contribute to their welfare. Nonmaleficence (do no harm): Obligation not to inflict harm intentionally. Making Ethical Decisions With a partner you will evaluate a few ethical questions. For each of the following cases: • Write down the ethical question. • Write down what your decision on the ethical question would be • Write down a few sentences justifying your decision & explaining what ethical principles you gave priority. Ethical Question: Decision: Justification & Ethical Principles Ethical Decisions • Should parents secretly search the rooms of their children to see if they’re using drugs? • Should parents treat siblings differently? • A friend asks you to lie to their parents about his/her whereabouts. • You haven’t done your homework and your friend offers you hers to copy from. The Heinz Dilemma Mr. Heinz is ordinarily a law-abiding man. One day, his wife becomes gravely ill. Heinz takes her to the doctor, who prescribes a medication for her. She does quite well on this medication and begins to recover. However, Heinz has no insurance and runs out of money quickly paying for this expensive medication. After a few months, he can no longer purchase the medication and his wife begins to take a turn for the worse. One day, he is in the pharmacy and notices that no one is behind the counter. The medication is in plain view. Should he steal the medication to help his sick wife? The Trolley (1) • A trolley is running out of control down a track. In its path are 5 people who have been tied to the track by a mad philosopher. Fortunately, you can flip a switch which will lead the trolley down a different track. Unfortunately, there is a single person tied to that track. Should you flip the switch? WHY? The Trolley (2) • As before, a trolley is hurtling down a track towards five people. You are on a bridge under which it will pass, and you can stop it by dropping a heavy weight in front of it. As it happens, there is a man next to youyour only way to stop the trolley is to push him over the bridge and onto the track, killing him to save five. Should you proceed? Why? How is this case different from the first? Pillow Angel Revisited • Get out your ‘Ashley Article’ • DO NOT remove the reference papers taped to tables, please. • Use the 4 page version of ethical decision making framework as the worksheet to go through and make a determination on the Ashley case. IN YOUR JOURNAL Question Type Yes/No WHY? Scientific Religious/Cult ural Legal Ethical Should non life saving surgery be done on an individual that cannot give their consent? Terms to remember…. • • • • • STAKEHOLDER VALUES MORALS ETHICS Each of these definitions are in your journals…. Look them up!