BIOETHICS William David Ross

 William David Ross was a British philosopher,

college administrator, WW I veteran, civil servant,
Human Acts and humanities scholar best known for his important
 Human acts are actions done intentionally, free, and contributions to moral philosophy and the study of
deliberate of a person. classical literature.
 These are actions that a man properly master for he
does them with full knowledge and of his own will. Duty of Justice
 Acts which proceed from a deliberate freewill.  This duty involves the obligation to treat others
 A man is fully responsible with the consequences of fairly and impartially, giving each person their
his acts. due.
 Involves and man ' s responsibility and  This includes respecting others' rights and not
accountability of the results of his her actions discriminating against them based on irrelevant
characteristics.
Immanuel Kant
 was an influential 18th-century German Duty of Beneficence
philosopher known for his work in ethics,  This duty pertains to the obligation to do good and
metaphysics, and epistemology. promote the well-being of others.
 He developed the concept of the “categorical  It involves acts of kindness, charity, and helping
imperative” and emphasized the importance of others in need, even if it requires sacrificing one's
rationality, autonomy, and moral duty in ethical own interests to some extent
decision-making.
 Immanuel Kant's influence in bioethics revolves Duty of Nonmaleficence
around his emphasis on moral autonomy and  This duty revolves around the obligation to avoid
rational decision-making, shaping discussions on causing harm or injury to others.
patient rights and research ethics.  It emphasizes the importance of refraining from
actions that could result in harm, whether physical,
DEONTOLOGICAL THEORY psychological, or emotional, to individuals or groups.
 Concerned with actions and whether it is right or
wrong and not the outcome/consequences St. Thomas Aquinas
 Greatly influenced by Aristotle one of the most
Kantian Ethics influential medieval thinkers of Scholasticism
 A set of universal moral principles that apply to and the father of the Thomistic school of theology
allhuman beings regardless of context or  Birth: 1225, Roccasecca, Italy
situation.  Death: March 7, 1274, Fossanova Abbey, Italy
 Studied at Benedictine house in Naples
JOHN RAWLS (1921-2002)
 John Rawls (1921-2002) was an American PERSONHOOD
political philosopher in the liberal tradition.  Personhood is the status of being a person.
Some of his well-known works are his theory of Defining personhood is a controversial topic in
justice as fairness and political liberalism philosophy and law and is closely tied with legal and
 John Rawls had spent the 1960s writing A Theory of political concepts of citizenship, equality, and
Justice, and it was published in 1971. This complex liberty.
work tried to establish standards or principles of  A philosophical concept designed to determine
social justice that are possible to apply to real which individuals have human rights and
societies. responsibilities.

Actual / Prima - facie Duty ELEMENT OF HUMAN ACT

 A prima facie duty is a duty that is binding other 1. Knowledge
things equal, that is, unless it is overridden or  An act is done knowingly, when the doer is
trumped by another duty or duties. conscious (all senses are active, sensory-
 An example of a prima facie duty is the duty to keep perception is functional) and aware of the reason
promises and the consequences on his actions.
 Knowledge is supplied by the intellect and it directs
Fidelity the will to want the object it proposes
 Fidelity is the implicit and explicit obligation of
maintaining promises without deception. 2. Freedom
 STEADFAST FAITHFULLNESS. Associated  An act is done when the doer acts by his own
with a pledge of loyalty and the practice of initiative and choice without being forced to do so
keeping promises. by another person or situation.
 It makes the doer the father of his acts and thus, the situations like medical treatment, research, and end-
doer is responsible for those acts. He can of-life care
acknowledge that he has done them because he
wanted to and he can explain why he wanted to do Client
them.  refers to the individual or group whose interests
and rights are being considered in ethical
3.Conscience decision-making processes.
 Is the inner sense of right and wrong that guides  This could include patients, research participants, or
an individual' s moral decisions and judgments. communities affected by biomedical research or
 It involves an awareness of ethical principles and a healthcare policies.
sensitivity to moral values, leading individuals to
feel guilt or remorse when they violate their Integrity
conscience and satisfaction or peace when they act  refers to the adherence to moral and ethical
in accordance with it. principles, even in the face of challenges or
 Conscience plays a crucial role in ethical reasoning pressures.
and moral behavior, serving as a moral compass that  It involves maintaining honesty, transparency, and
helps individuals navigate complex ethical dilemmas consistency in decision-making processes related to
and make virtuous choices biomedical research, patient care, and healthcare
policies.
DUTY  It means wholeness, and completeness. Applies
 A moral or legal obligations more directly to the character than to action.

Altruism Autonomy
 means acting in the best interest of others rather  refers to the right of individuals to make informed
than in one's own self-interest. decisions about their own medical treatment,
 Some people believe altruism constitutes the essence research participation, and personal healthcare
of morality. preferences.
 It emphasizes respect for patients’ ability to self-
Fortitude govern and make choices consistent with their
 is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in values, beliefs, and preferences, even if those
difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the choices may not align with medical
good. recommendations or societal norms.
 It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to
overcome obstacles in the moral life. VIRTUE
 is referred to as moral excellence. uprightness &
Temperance integrity. praiseworthy trait of human character.
 It is generally characterized as the control over That is morally valued
excess, and expressed through characteristics
such as chastity, modesty, humility, self- VICES
regulation, hospitality, decorum, abstinence, and  is an evil fault, an imperfection, an immoral conduct,
forgiveness; each of these involves restraining an practice or habit.
excess of some impulse, such as sexual desire,
vanity, or anger.

Prudence
 a state grasping the truth, involving reason,
concerned with action about things that are good or
bad for a human being.
 carefulness and good judgment as applied to action
or conduct.
 It emphasizes cautious good sense in giving
thought to one’s actions & their consequences.

Honor
 refers to upholding principles such as respect,
integrity, and dignity in medical practices and
decision-making.
 It involves treating individuals with fairness,
honesty, and empathy, especially in sensitive