Virtues and values

Virtues and values

When is the right time to shut down breathing machines? Who has the right to make decisions when the patient cannot communicate due to their condition? These are tough questions and need guidance to make the right move. Healthcare professionals face difficult decision-making processes. The decision they make observe medical treatments, religious believes, professional attributes and moral principles. Healthcare ethics large revolve around virtues, values, heath, suffering, and death. The deeds and stance of a person vastly determines their disposition (Hurka, 2001). Those deemed ethically upright have strong values and virtues. In this paper, we find the disparity between these qualities and relevance in different areas of discipline. Acquiring a habit is not easy since it needs discipline, determination, and a constant reminder. Surprising, some people have natural virtues and values, which make it easier for them to adapt in different environments.

On a proficient setting, the virtues and value of a personage goes a long way in aiding them to unravel problems and become great in the society. In this paper, we elaborate in detail, the application of virtues, and values in solving health care ethical dilemmas.

Difference between virtues and values

There are different types of values. This includes personal, subjective, cultural, or principle. Some values are inborn and some up pick along the way, in the matter of cultural or subjective values. Values are a large predilection dealing with apposite course outcome or action. It guides the mindset of an individual in aiding them determine right from wrong. Some values are inborn whiles some are adapted. They influence the behavior and attitude of an individual. Examples of values include ‘excellence deserves admiration’, ‘equal rights for all’, and ‘people should be treated with respect and dignity’ (Brady, 2005).

A virtue is a positive attribute, brings out good perceptions. Anyone, who has a virtue has good values, principles, and defined as a good moral being. The opposite is a vice. This means that one lacks direction, good ethics, and principles (Keller, 2007). Benjamin Franklin developed the moral perfection to describe virtues. In his autobiography, he stated virtues included resolution, order, frugality, silence, temperance, justice, and humility.

Characteristics of values

Based on universal human experience, five characteristics of values are evident. They are a litmus test for behaviors and attitudes in the society. Values create self-awareness to judge behavior. When in conflict, our bodies act differently. This creates a conflict between our values and behaviors. However, when your mind is conscious, you can control the behaviors of your mind and body to make informed decisions (Keller, 2007). We can express values by word of mouth or in writing. This creates the guideline of languages, in order to command attention from others. However, the tone of the voice or choices of words give an authoritative voice, and commands respect. Values include continuous choices made to resolve any situation one is facing. Some issues demand urgent attention; this is called the range order relationship.

Characteristics of virtues

Virtues define the character of an individual. This applies in different areas like the workplace, family setting, and social gatherings. The moral virtues highly determine the reaction one has in different situations. Virtues are acquired through experience. It is necessary to acquire them in for the benefit of living in harmony with other people and solving different situations you face (Hurka, 2001). Adapting the proper motive, when reacting to situations defines ones virtue. Motives like goodwill, generosity, and wishing success to another person, show positive intent. In order to live well, it is important to have different virtues. This is because they play a central role in our lives. They include honesty, objectiveness, fairness, and truthful to ourselves and to others.

Resolving health care ethical dilemmas

Health care ethical dilemmas involve choosing between two or more morally acceptable action. In this case, one choice hinders you from choosing the other option, or chooses between evenly undesirable alternatives. Many medics find it hard to make decisions due to economic stress, advance in technology, and continuous renewals in team based approaches. This complicates the ethical issues in the healthcare department. Dealing with ethical dilemmas is not an easy task even for seasoned clinicians. This is an involving and emotional process, leading to numerous decision-making processes. Applying the ethical theories like moral relativism, Kantian absolutions, and utilitarianism give guidance to the medic in clarification, and solving conflicts (Chappell, 2006). Other ethical principles which medical adapt before making major decisions include justice, beneficence, autonomy, and non-malfeasance. This only works when the values are adapted on a step-by step basis. It simplifies the process and aids in resolving healthcare dilemmas.

Medical case

A 40 year old man is rushed hospital after a hit and run accident. He does not have any close family members or friends to assist him. The doctors start the first aid process and they find him bleeding profusely and need permission to operate him or end up paralyzed. When the patient regains consciousness, the doctors inform him of the condition and want the go ahead to continue with the surgery. The blood tests how he has a high percentage of drugs in the system. The patient does not want to remain paralyzed nor undergo the surgical operations. The medics are in a dilemma since they do not have any relative to consult about the procedure and his current state of health. However, the doctors decide to go forth and stop the bleeding even though the patient will remain paralyzed all his life. When he is awake, the patient cannot recall anything that happened and is grateful the doctors saved his life.

In the above example, the medics employed medical ethics. The values they adapted included deciding right from wrong, following the rulebook of medicine, and justice.

Did the doctors do justice by going ahead with the medical procedure?

Ethical analysis does not have foundations for religious beliefs. It sets views in order to make decisions one will recognize as true, regardless of their religious views. The patient in this case did not want to live. If the doctors listened to him, they would have let him die. However, they employed social justice. The current law implies everyone has the right to live when there is a chance for saving, even in the most serious medical cases (Sugarman & Sulmasy, 2010).

Why did the doctors not listen to the patient?

In the medicine world, when a patient is conscious, they do have the rights to make decisions about their condition, and procedures they can undergo in the presence of a doctor or family member. In a case where they are unconscious, they cannot partake in decision making. In such cases, the medic seeks counsel from close relatives. The doctors’ advice the family accordingly based on the procedures they want to conduct and the situation facing the patient. In this case, the patient did not have any family member present; hence, there is no need for consultation. Before the patient is involved in major decision-making processes, they have to undergo tests. This guarantees they are in the precise state of intellect. Factors like shock, drug influence, and illness make it hard for patients to make wise resolution. In this case, they found existence of drugs. According to law, this state hinders the patient from making any conclusion (Sugarman & Sulmasy, 2010).

How were values and virtues adapted in this case?

Truthfulness and honesty- the medics elaborated the true nature of the patient’s ailment

Justice-each patient has the right to treatment regardless of religion, social status, or financial abilities. Beneficence- medics are required by law to serve in the best interest to save the life of the patient through all means necessary.

Conclusion

In the medical world, medics face numerous challenges. Applying and adapting to medical ethics and general rule of life, they manage to make decisions. Failing to observe medical guidelines leads to scuttle decisions in medical procedures, devoid of caring for the welfare of the patient, and inconclusive results. All medics should apply values and virtues, and ensure each decision made reflects ethical laws in medicine. Medical law paves way for formation of medical teams, ethical committees and applies the medical law.

 

References

Brady, M. (2005). The Value of the Virtues, Philosophical Studies, 12(5), 85–144.

Chappell, T. (2006). Values and Virtues. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Hurka, T. (2001). Virtue, Vice, and Value. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Keller, S. (2007). Virtue Ethics is Self-Effacing.  Australasian Journal of Philosophy, 85 (2):         221–32.

Sugarman, J. & Sulmasy, D. (2010). Methods in medical ethics. Philosophy, 76: 239–50.

 

 

 

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