1. Determine Whether the Following View Is Better Attributed to a Deontologist Or A

Self Test

1. Determine whether the following view is better attributed to a deontologist or a consequentialist.

Euthanasia should be permitted. It is legal in The Netherlands and in Oregon, and with good results. It saves a good deal of pain and allows people to determine their own way to die. People do not have to live with the fear of dying in great pain and/or with loss of dignity.

Consequentialism

This seems like the right answer. The claim is made that the results where euthanasia is legal have been good. This is a consequentialist claim, as is the claim that euthanasia allows people to avoid pain. However, the statement also mentions self-determination, often a strong point in deontological views. And it brings up human dignity, also a Kantian point typically involving respect. However, both of these, self-determination and human dignity, can be thought of in terms of gaining happiness. So, on balance, the view expressed seems to be that of a consequentialist, but with deontological support.

Deontologist

This does not seem like the right answer. The claim is made that the results where euthanasia is legal have been good. This is a consequentialist claim, as is the claim that euthanasia allows people to avoid pain. However, the statement also mentions self-determination, often a strong point in deontological views. And it brings up human dignity, also a Kantian point typically involving respect. However, both of these, self-determination and human dignity, can be thought of in terms of gaining happiness. So, on balance, the view expressed seems to be that of a consequentialist, but with deontological support.

2. Who is more likely to argue that a lie can be told to avoid great embarrassment?

Consequentialist

Correct. A consequentialist is likely to take into account a person’s embarrassment. A deontologist who views lying as wrong is unlikely to think that being embarrassed by the truth is a good reason to lie.

Deontologist

Incorrect. A consequentialist is likely to take into account a person’s embarrassment. A deontologist who views lying as wrong is unlikely to think that being embarrassed by the truth is a good reason to lie.

3. Who is more likely to argue that a patient who fears life-saving surgery should not be coerced to into having it by using aggressive tone of voice and language?

Consequentialist

Incorrect. A consequentialist considers saving a life to be, in typical circumstances, a major good -- a genuinely good consequence. Deontologists view autonomy, allowing people to make their own decisions, as a major way to show respect. Autonomy may be compromised by an overly aggressive approach to gaining consent. So, a deontologist is more likely to accept a patient’s decision not to have surgery and would reject aggressively attempting to change the patient’s mind.

Deontologist

Correct. A consequentialist considers saving a life to be, in typical circumstances, a major good -- a genuinely good consequence. Deontologists view autonomy, allowing people to make their own decisions, as a major way to show respect. Autonomy may be compromised by an overly aggressive approach to gaining consent. So, a deontologist is more likely to accept a patient’s decision not to have surgery and would reject aggressively attempting to change the patient’s mind.

4. A consequentialist is faced with the following choice.

CPR may be applied with a 15% chance of success. However, success may also mean that the patient will live a seriously impaired life. There seems to be only a very small chance the patient will survive CPR and live a normal life. However, without CPR the patient will almost surely die.

Which of the following would a consequentialist consider in his or her moral reasoning:

Whether the patient has a right to CPR. [If incorrect is indicated, the user should not select that feature. Sometimes either answer is OK. Bill, we need to figure out how to respond.]

Incorrect. A consequentialist considers results not rights.

Whether the person’s life would be worth living after CPR.

Correct. A worthwhile life is a consequence that is most important in making this decision from a typical consequentialist point of view.

Whether death would provide relief of suffering.

Correct. Relief of suffering would be a desirable consequence.

Whether the patient has an advance directive prohibiting CPR.

A consequentialist might take this into account, due to legal consequences. But a consequentialist is more likely than a deontologist to ignore an advance directive.

5. A deontologist is faced with the same choice, repeated below:

Would a deontologist consider in his or her moral reasoning:

Whether the patient has a right to CPR.

Correct. A deontologist takes rights very seriously.

Whether the person’s life would be worth living after CPR.

Incorrect. This is a consequence that most deontologists would not consider crucial in making the decision as to whether performing CPR is appropriate.

Whether death would provide relief of suffering.

Incorrect. This is a consequence that many deontologists would not consider crucial in making the decision as to whether CPR is appropriate.

Whether the patient has an advance directive prohibiting CPR.

A deontologist is likely to take an advance directive very seriously. It is an expression of patient autonomy and so a violation of an advance directive would, typically, be considered disrespectful.