Table 1 Ethical tenets relating to case discussions

Deontological ethics

Rules based ethics, the ethics of the action itself, not the consequences of the action-individual focus

e.g. autonomy is absolute

Utilitarian/Teleological/Consequential ethics

The consequences of actions take precedence-societal focus

e.g. autonomy may need to be curbed for the collective good

Includes:

Virtue Ethics-based on considered judgement, wisdom to achieve the “golden mean”

Care Ethics- ethical decisions are always made in a specific interpersonal context