Thematic Ethical Issues introduced by Shannon

Summary
1) Ethical Theories
Theories are like the rules of our decision making. When we evaluate something, we tend to select things in a particular order. Here are the 4 typical theories.
1-a) Consequentialism
Consequentialism is the theory that whether our behavior is good or bad is judged only by its result and a consequentialist acts as the result becomes good. The theory reveals one's decision and effect clearly, but the standard of which decision is good or bad depends on each case because of the change of one's feelings.
1-b) Deontologism
Deontologism emphasizes our moral duty. It is easier to recognize what to do than other theories because our duty has already decided, for example by a law, but duties not always bring us good consequences.
1-c) Rights Ethics
Rights ethics clearly reveals the rights involved in a ethical problem and these priority, but it cannot be a means to resolve conflicts if the first priority is different between each individual.
1-d) Intuitionism
Intuitionism is the theory that what we should do is what we want to do. The theory encourage us decision, but the decision is not reasonable to others.

2) Ethical Terms
Shannon introduce us the basis technical terms of bioethics.
2-a) Autonomy
Autonomy means that our behavior is decided by our own. In order to keep autonomy, we need to recognize each alternatives and to carry out one of them, which is valued by Americans. The concept needs to be understood in the context of the community because too heavy reliance on it can isolate us from the community.
2-b) Nonmaleficence
Nonmaleficence requires that we should not harm others. It is easy to recognize a physical harm, but is difficult to recognize a mental harm because the border is difficult to draw.
2-c) Beneficence
Beneficence is like the concept of "give and take." It requires us a kind of duty like we have to return benefit because we have got much by others, but it has a little problem of limit and we should think of the balance between risks and benefits.
2-d) Justice
Justice has two basic types, that is, comparative and noncomparative ones. And it has two basic principles, that is, formal and material ones.
2-e) Informed Consent
2-f) Paternalism
2-g) Rights

Critical Reactions

Discussion Questions
1) If you were a member of family whose member had a terminal disease, would you tell the truth to the patient?

2) If you were a member of family, whose patient could live if he/she were transplanted others' organ even if the organ were conveyed by other country such as Thailand illegally, would you want organ transplant?

3) Similar to No.2, how about if you were a patient? If you were a patient, would you like to live longer sacrificing other people?