The hospital ethics committee has been asked to consider a controversial issue that has a significant number of persons both for and against it. Which other characteristic would the committee look for when determining if applied ethics should be used as a guide for their work?
A) The situation must concern a distinctly moral issue.
B) The situation must involve great expense to the hospital or patient.
C) The situation must involve high risk activities.
D) The situation must occur frequently.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Rationale 1: To be considered an applied ethical issue, two key characteristics are important. First the issue needs to be controversial with significant numbers of persons both for and against the issue. Second, the issue must concern a distinctly moral issue.
Rationale 2: Expense is not considered in determining if this is an applied ethical issue.
Rationale 3: There is no indication that high risk must be involved in determining whether an issue is an applied ethical issue.
Rationale 4: There is nothing to indicate that a situation must occur frequently in order for it to be considered an applied ethical issue.

The Hospital Ethics Committee Has Been Asked to Consider a Controversial