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Applied Ethics

Section 2Medical Ethics

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History

The history of medical ethics stretches from the Hippocratic Oath to modern bioethics, with the Nuremberg Code as a key step along the way.

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History

Many of the principles of medical ethics are detectable in & from this history, with autonomy as a key 20th century emphasis.

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Bioethics

Arose in the 1970s after philosophers, such as John Rawls, Hans Jonas &, differently, Richard Hare, devised ways of applying ethical theory to issues of life & death.

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Ethics of Abortion

An innovative approach to the ethics of abortion was introduced by Judith Jarvis Thomson.

Her approach was queried by consequentialists; of these, Hare’s approach is distinctive.

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Principles-based Approach

Tom Beauchamp & J.F. Childress emphasized the place of the following principles in medical ethics: Beneficence Non-maleficence Autonomy Justice.

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Objections to Principles-based Approach

Some objections focus on the interpretation of autonomy.

Situationism: makes principles subordinate to judgements about cases.

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But…

Even if judgements about particular cases are sometimes more securely known than principles, the principles may still supply the reasons or justifications for the judgements.

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To Consider

What do you think is involved in respecting autonomy in medical contexts?

Think about the role of principles in medical ethics and about situations where they may conflict.

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Other Important Issues in Medical

Ethics

Issues relating to justice & international equity.

The increasing spread of tropical diseases in poor countries due to global warming intensifies issues relating to the fair international distribution of medical resources.