Everyday ethical decision-making, government healthcare spending and the age indifference principle : social ethical decision-making

This study evaluates the ethical decision-making frameworks utilised by a cross-section of 1240 Queenslanders aged between 18 and 101. Three research questions are addressed (1) Which of five normative ethical theories do the majority of Queenslanders apply in every day decision-making (2) Do Queenslanders expect these individual ethical frameworks to be consistent with the collective decision-making principles which drive government spending of the health dollar? (3) Are beliefs about individual and collective ethical-decision making moderated by age, gender and religiosity? Study results are discussed in terms of ethical theory, the practice of healthcare delivery and implications for Australia’s ageing population.