Virtue ethics approach to moral dilemmas
Health practitioners play a critical role in the provision of health care and promoting good health. However, many are the times they encounter moral dilemmas that leave them unaware of what course of action to take. These moral dilemmas place them in a complex situation with no definite solution. For instance, in a case where a baby is born prematurely, putting them under medication can help them survive but it can also make them handicapped or severely disabled. In this kind of situation, health practitioners are in a dilemma on whether to subject the baby to aggressive medication or allow them to die.
Three ethical theories highlight how health practitioners should tackle moral dilemmas. These include; Kant’s theory, utilitarian theory, and virtue ethics. While Kant’s theory concentrates on the dignity of the patient and works towards what is good for him/her, the utilitarian theory looks at the majority and the decision made focuses on benefiting the largest number of people.
Virtue ethics
Virtue ethics emphasizes good character among health professionals. According to this approach, health practitioners should have good virtues such as honesty, truthfulness, courage, and integrity when finding solutions to moral dilemmas. According to Aristotle, these virtues allow health professionals to choose the right course of action. Before making a decision, health practitioners should meditate to find out the right thing to do. They should later take action that will not lead to regrets.
Although virtue ethics does not give an exact formula on how to handle moral dilemmas it cultivates good behaviors among health professionals, is compatible with good deeds and an individual’s good character plays a vital role in decision making. Virtue ethics is compared to physical fitness you have to nurture it over a long period to acquire it. Emotions are also important, a health professional should have emotional intelligence and should avoid hurting others.
In the case of giving treatment to a premature baby. A health practitioner should make a decision based on what is right. He should be compassionate and always truthful to the parents. Also, he should monitor closely how the baby is progressing and change medication whenever it is necessary. Doctors should respect the baby as well as his parents.
According to Aristotle, virtue ethics aims at bringing a sense of happiness, fulfillment, and purpose. It is also wise to integrate reason with virtues. Reason sets us apart from animals, as animals don’t seem to reason whenever they encounter challenging situations with more than two solutions.
Ancient Greek philosophers emphasized virtues such as justice, prudence, courage, and temperance. Beauchamp and Childress also stressed trustworthiness, compassion, discernment, conscientiousness among medical practitioners. Since then more and more people have come up with different virtues that can be applied by health practitioners.
For instance, at an end to life issue, a doctor’s advice may conflict with the patient and the family’s wishes. The doctor should be honest enough to outline the consequences of each course of action, respect their decisions and execute their wishes. However, he should not execute those wishes if they are contrary to the health practitioner’s code of conduct. He should take care of the patient and always focus on improving his health by reducing pain or suffering.
Virtue ethics are essential in finding solutions to moral dilemmas. Although they are highly criticized for not providing a formula that health practitioners should follow. Their emphasis on having good virtues not only nurture good deeds but also cultivates good character in health practitioners. Health practitioners should embrace this approach and use it whenever they encounter a moral dilemma.
References
Gardiner, P., 2003. A virtue ethics approach to moral dilemmas in medicine. Journal of Medical Ethics, 29(5), pp.297-302.
Foot, P., 2003. Moral dilemmas.
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