Virtue and Care Theory
Thesis: Virtue ethics is built on the premise that the undertakings of an individual or group must be aligned with the moral tenets that define the essence of good living. The traditional and modern practices of virtue ethics intimate that character traits, vices or virtues are the key determinants of moral standings. These variables determine how humans relate to each other in the society. Nonetheless, virtue ethics has been extensively applied in the medical practice. Virtue ethics and medical practice have a high affinity, and they enhance the provision of care in healthcare facilities.
I. Introduction
B. Summary and variables of virtue ethics
C. Preface of the relationship between virtue ethics and medical practice.
II. Perspectives on Virtue ethics
A. Historical perspective of virtue ethics and Medical practice
1. The Greek medical practitioners had an elaborate way of understanding the functionality of the body and how certain practices could positively or negatively affect the health of an individual.
2. The model focused on the soul as a component that determined the well-being of a patient (Rachels & Rachels, 2015).
B. Medical practice and virtue ethics
1. The medical practice entails offering effective care for the patients, ensuring their stability through various medical procedures.
2. Medical practice and virtue ethics correlate because, in the treatment of a patient, there are decisions and mentorship programs that have to be undertaken to ensure that the patient is not affected by certain practices.
3. A medical practitioner has to be sensitive and evaluate situations before employing a particular solution (Puttilo & Doherty, 2011).
4. A clinician or a nurse must have a sound judgment to ensure success in the treatment of a patient.
5. Aristotle noted that practical reasoning was the essence of combining various elements to ensure that the predetermined objectives are met (Rachels & Rachels, 2015).
6. Virtue ethics in medical practice refers to the application of clinical guidelines, general rules, and the scientific guidelines to treat a patient.
III. Relationship between Virtue ethics and medical practice
A. Related aspects
1. Virtue ethics and medical practice are congruent entities in the sense that all have to play complementary roles in enhancing the outcomes (Puttilo & Doherty, 2011).
2. A doctor may then consider the implication of failure to act against offering a solution that can promote better health for a client.
3. A doctor with proper moral standards will consider all the situations and making a decision that does not affect the patient and the extended entities.
B. Moral virtues manifest between the Physician and the patient
1. The patient has to motivate in a particular manner to ensure that the confidence levels is enhanced in so far as treatment is concerned.
2. The wishes of the patient must also be respected against the decisions that may be made by a physician (Puttilo & Doherty, 2011).
VI. Conclusion
A. Establishing the relationship between virtue ethics and medical practice
1. The relationship between medical practice and virtue ethics is based on the complementary roles played by the two entities.
2. While virtue ethics is a personal commitment to the moral standards, medical practice relies on the professional guidelines to fulfill the obligations.
3. Medical practitioners must have proper moral establishments as a measure of ensuring that they understand and make decisions that can positively influence interaction with a patient.
B. Thesis Restated: Virtue ethics is built on the premise that the undertakings of an individual or group must be aligned with the moral tenets that define the essence of good living. The traditional and modern practices of virtue ethics intimate that character traits, vices or virtues are the key determinants of moral standings. These variables determine how humans relate to each other in the society. Nonetheless, virtue ethics has been extensively applied in the medical practice. Virtue ethics and medical practice have a high affinity, and they enhance the provision of care in healthcare facilities.
References
Puttilo, Ruth B. & Doherty. (2011). Ethical Dimensions in the Health Professions. 5th edition St. Louise, MO: Elsevier Saunders.
Rachels, J. & Rachels, S. (2015). The Elements of Moral Philosophy. 8th Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
