An Objection to Oaths and Codes of Ethics

1
An Objection to Oaths and Codes of Ethics

• Oaths and Codes with specific rules treat ethics
  as resembling the law
• Why is this bad?
• Because some would argue that the law is a bad
  model for ethics

2
Law vs. Ethics

• The law sets out minimal standards for behaviour,
  i.e., rules for staying out of legal trouble
• Ethics, one might argue, is about more than just
  following rules for staying out of moral trouble.

3
An Alternative Approach

• Contemporary treatments of ethics do tend to
  focus on ethical rules
• Dissatisfaction with this approach has led some
  to suggest we need to return to an earlier
  approach.
• Virtue Ethics - focuses on character, not rules

4
Virtue Ethics

• Central figure is Aristotle
• Central question is what should we be? not
  what should we do?
• if good character is in place, then good action
  will follow
• Focus is on developing virtues, not figuring out
  the rules of morality

5
The Virtues of a Physician?

• Reconsider CMA Code of Ethics from the point of
  virtue
• compassion
• honesty
• dedication
• discretion
• humility
• What else?

6
Virtue Ethics or Rule-based Ethics?

• Which, if either, of these approaches best
  captures what ethics is really about is an
  interesting theoretical question
• We wont try to answer it here. Instead, think
  about the theories as offering two valuable ways
  of thinking about ethics

7
A Variety of Perspectives

• The contrast between virtue and rule-based
  approaches provides an indicator of the value of
  considering ethics from a variety of perspectives
• Up next A sketch of ethical theory -
  Concentrate on E/H/HL Foundations Sections 5 7