An Objection to Oaths and Codes of Ethics

1. An Objection to Oaths and Codes of Ethics • Oaths and Codes with specific rules treat ethics as resembling the law • Why is this bad? • Because some would argue that the law is a bad model for ethics

2. Law vs. Ethics • The law sets out minimal standards for behaviour, i.e., rules for staying out of legal trouble • Ethics, one might argue, is about more than just following rules for staying out of moral trouble.

3. An Alternative Approach • Contemporary treatments of ethics do tend to focus on ethical rules • Dissatisfaction with this approach has led some to suggest we need to return to an earlier approach. • Virtue Ethics - focuses on character, not rules

4. Virtue Ethics • Central figure is Aristotle • Central question is ‘what should we be?’ not ‘what should we do?’ • if good character is in place, then good action will follow • Focus is on developing virtues, not figuring out the rules of morality

5. The Virtues of a Physician? • Reconsider CMA Code of Ethics from the point of virtue • compassion • honesty • dedication • discretion • humility • What else?

6. Virtue Ethics or Rule-based Ethics? • Which, if either, of these approaches best captures what ethics is “really about” is an interesting theoretical question • We won’t try to answer it here. Instead, think about the theories as offering two valuable ways of thinking about ethics

7. A Variety of Perspectives • The contrast between virtue and rule-based approaches provides an indicator of the value of considering ethics from a variety of perspectives • Up next: A sketch of ethical theory - Concentrate on E/H/HL Foundations Sections 5 & 7