Ethics for healthcare professionals



Ethics for healthcare professionals

Philosophical Position of Aristotle

The theories of ethics determine that rationale for the actions performed by the human beings. It focuses on whether the actions are good or bad and what is the ultimate goal of such actions. The goals and purpose of life are discussed by several philosophers particularly in ancient Greek. Many philosophers such as Socrates, Aristotle and some other research oriented people including Alan Watts, Albert Camus, Albert Schweitzer, Bertrand Russell, Arthus Schopenhauer, Blaise Pascal, Epicurus, Galileo Galilee, Immanuel Kant, Plato, Pythagoras, Plutarch and Thales found out the basis of the existence and helped in the progression of the ethical behavior formation of human beings. This paper critically analyzes the philosophical position of Aristotle due to the wide scope and focus on moral and ethical virtues present in his views that are reflected in the ethical theories of Aristotle and applies them to a healthcare case study. The ethical theory of Aristotle focuses on the concept of a good person which is directly related to the virtue ethics. He proposed the fact that good actions are carried out by people depending upon their own sense of understanding regarding the good actions.

The theory of Aristotle denies the concepts presented by Plato and Socrates who determines that people carry out actions based upon their knowing of the good and bad. If a person knows something is not good than they will not perform the certain actions. The wrong or unethical actions performed by the people are a result of ignorance and non understanding of the fact by them that it is a wrong action. However, Aristotle did not agree with these assumptions and focused on the fact that people sometimes carry out certain actions even after knowing that it is unethical and wrong action. In this way, he wanted to determine that being good person does not depend upon simply knowing the good and bad but he developed a moral theory that would help the people in determining the right and wrong actions and develop a sense among them to avoid certain actions (Burger, 2008).

Every action is performed or carried out keeping in a view a certain goal or objective. Since, ethics also involve actions that carry purpose and goal. If we would knew that our actions could not get us any kind of outcome that most probably we will not perform that action. According to Aristotle, the ultimate goal of our actions is to seek happiness. It some action does not seem to provide us happiness than we will not carry out the certain action. However, according to Aristotle, pleasure is different from happiness. If we seek pleasure only than we are more closely related to animals than human beings. Thus, our goal is dependent upon our rational capabilities which shape our actions to attain happiness. Pleasure is different from happiness in a way that it can be achieved through wicked behavior as well. On the other hand, happiness is an ...