ABSTRACT
This chapter argues for the location of ethics to be at the heart of global public health. It will discuss the definition of ethics, public health ethics, and global public health ethics. It explores the core ethical theories of ‘Utilitarianism’, ‘Deontology’, and ‘Virtue Ethics’ and distinguish ethical principles of ‘Autonomy’, ‘Beneficence’, ‘Non maleficence’, and ‘Justice’ and how they generate ethical frameworks. It focuses on key global ethical challenges by exploring responses to global health inequalities and the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to lockdowns and liberty. Autonomy refers to issues around enhancing respect, confidentiality, and freedom. Beneficence focuses upon moral obligation to act for the benefit of others such as risk reduction and protection from harm. Principles of justice furthermore enable consideration on how benefits and burdens ought to be distributed among individuals or communities as a matter of right and entitlement.
