Understanding moral issues in health care: seven essential ideas.

Abstract

Professionals confronting moral issues in health care ought to have a working knowledge of seven essential concepts within the field of philsophical ethics; specifically, moral-moral vision, moral theory, moral issue and moral dilemma, argument, and normative ethics. Coming to terms with moral issues and dilemmas necessitates a comprehension of and appeals to morality, moral vision, and moral theory. These foundational concepts are brought to bear on moral questions that can take the form of issues or dilemmas. Depending on whether a moral issue or a moral dilemma is involved specific expectations follow. The results of struggling with a nondilemma moral issue are very different from those ensuing from a confrontation with a genuine moral dilemma. The conclusions reached in either situation can be well expressed in a formal moral argument and doing so means engaging in normative ethics. Knowing the basic terminology and conceptualities of normative ethics helps clarify the process of moral reasoning and allows it to be applied with greater comprehension and insight.