presents

BY LARRY CHONKO, PH.D.THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT

ARLINGTON

ETHICS& the Law

ETHICS & THE LAW

HIPPOCRATIC OATH IN MEDICINE

“I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous.”

ETHICS & THE LAW

LAW

A consistent set of universal rules that are widely published, generally accepted and usually enforced

ETHICS & THE LAW

TERMS IN THE DEFINITION OF LAW

Consistent

Universal

Published

Accepted

Enforced

ETHICS & THE LAW

ETHICS DEFINED

The term, ethics, comes from the Greek ethos (meaning character and the Latin mores (meaning custom)

ETHICS & THE LAW

ETHICS CHARACTERISTICS

• Most ethical decisions have • long-term consequences• multiple alternatives• mixed outcomes• uncertain consequences• personal implications

Ethics involve learning what is right and wrong and then doing the right thing.

ETHICS & THE LAW

LEGAL VS. ETHICS

To each person an equal share

To each person according to need

To each person according to effort

To each person according to contribution

To each person according to merit

To each person according to free market exchanges

ETHICS & THE LAW

WHY ETHICS AND NOT JUST THE LAW

New ethical problems arise

Technology advances

Societal expectations change

Science evolves

Ethical problems not anticipated by existing codes of conduct are not explicitly stated in laws or rules