Figure 6

Ethical discernment from the perspective of the main ethical theories: utilitarian, deontological and aretological. The utilitarian evaluates the consequences of the action. Its values are efficiency, and how effective or profitable it is. Deontological theory is based on the action itself. Its values are the duties, rights and justice. The aretological vision evaluates the agent performing the action. Its main values are the person, mission and vocation. This figure shows that palliativist doctors make decisions primarily from an aretological position, secondly from a utilitarian position, and less frequently from a deontological position.