Kantian Approach to Bioethics By Hailey Asra Laziah

Kantian Approach to Bioethics By: Hailey, Asra, Laziah, Dieuly

What is Kantian Deontology? States that an action is right only if the action conforms to the Categorical Imperative and it is done out of respect If a law must have a moral force, it needs to be an absolute necessity

How is it different? Different from virtue ethics because virtue ethics is about having good characteristics and being a good person Different from utilitarianism because utilitarianism is all about the fulfilling the needs of the group over the needs of the individual Different from care ethics because care ethics is about doing actions if and only if the action is morally right or wrong

Why is it important in bioethics? Makes an individual override their personal bias in an ethical dilemma Ex: Forcing someone to have a medical procedure if it is better for them, restraining a person with psychosis so that they don’t hurt themselves/others, not letting your own attachment to someone override your obligation to make healthy appropriate decisions. Keeps our intentions in check Ex: “I am doing A because it is my duty” “I will not do B because it is not my duty”

Objections Could be criticized as impersonal Direct contrast with care ethics - which is highly personal Kantian ethics states that any form of lying is always wrong But what if a lie can save a life? During the Holocaust - a lie could save a Jewish person’s life

References “Kant’s Moral Theory. ” KANT’S MORAL THEORY. N. p. , n. d. Wed. 28 Sept. 2015.