Aristotle's View on Ethics: Unlike Plato, Aristotle beleived that ethical behavour is relative to the individual and situation. We become ethical because of 2 influences: knowledge that we acquire and habits we develop. We learn right from wrong from people and experiences. He argued that to live happily is to live ethically, the key to happiness is the 'golden mean'.

Ethical Dilemas: 'situations in which difficult choices must be made in the service of right action'

The Ten Commandments (Christianity): Thou shalt......have no other gods before me, not kill, steal, commit adultery, covet thy neighbour's house or bear false witness against thy neighbour, or make unto thee any graven image in heaven, earth, or water, not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; remember the sabbath day, honour thy mother and father

Plato's View on Ethics: Plato believed that ethics (virtue) was good for a person; virtue is healthy for the soul and makes us more complete humans. A virtuous person has a clear moral vision, good judgement, and strength of will. A healthy soul is where the 3 components of the body work together, and when balanced, make good ethical decisions. Plato believed that these behaviours or 'forms' have always existed, and that knowedge creates ethical behaviour, while ignorance encourages unethical behaviour.

Epicureanism: 'Live soley for pleasure' is the philosophy, enjoying life and being happy. Epicureans beleived that there was no path or rationale for life, so just enjoy it as it happens. They based their ethical views on living moderately, not with excess.

Cynicism: The philosophy of the pursuit of a simpler way of life.Cynics rejected the insitutions of society as well as the materialsim that drives people, and beleived that neither of these could provide the answers to life. Rather, the true meaning of life could be found within onself. Cynism came to mean misanthropy, a dislike for general humanity.

Hindu Ethics: Philosophy based on the law of karma, based on the idea that all things are determined, and souls can be reincarnated. Our present state of life is based on past activities, a 'former life'. So if you live well, you will live well in your next life. Adversely, if you don't, karma will find you in your next life. 'Dharma' was a set of rules that people abide by in order to have a happy rebirth.

Confuucius: His view on ethics was to study how people treat one another. His philisophical beleifs were self-taught. He narrowed his focus to 5 basic relationships in life: father-son, brother-brother, husband-wife, elder-junior, ruler-subject. Moral ethich are based on these relationships, with direct ties to social and political life, and that the 'self' is defined by these moral sets. Social authority comes from virtues such as humility, goodness, generosity, and respect for others, which then allows everyone to use appropriate behaviour and know their place in society.

Medical Ethics

4 Pillars of Medical Ethics: The set of values are used by medical professionals to guide best practices and make the best decisions: Beneficence (doing good), Non-maleficence (to do no harm), Autonomy (giving the patient the freedom to choose freely, where they are able), Justice (ensuring fairness)

Codes of Medical Ethics: honesty, integrity, promise-keeping, loyalty, fairness, caring, respect for others, law-abiding

'Ethics is an inherent and inseparable part of clinical medicine'. Patients put their trust and faith in the hands of the physican, who must make appropriate decisions of patient care. Physicians have the ethical and moral obligation to do what is best for the patient, given circumstances and resources available. These decisions take into accont the patient's wishes and values. They must take into consideration the patient's cultural background when solving ethical issues or making difficult ethical choices. Link Title

Hippocratic Oath: The oath of ethics taken by physicians to ensure trust in the profession. New physicians make this pledge to uphold the ethical standards established.

Stoicism: 'All things, including humans, are predetermined'. Essentially, while we have no control over other's actions or events, what we can control is how we react. We have control over our thoughts and actions. However, critics of this theory argue that if we are predetermined, so too must be our reactions.

Examples of medical ethical dilemnas include 'do-not-resuscitate' order, doctor-patient confidentiality, medically-assisted suicide, abortion, IVF and reproductive medicine, malpractice and negligence. allocation of medical resources, access to healthcare, organ donation, mandatory vaccination, discrimination, two-tier healthcare systems, etc.