The principles of medical ethics
Medical ethics is based on a set of ethical concepts that are particular to patient care and medical practice. These principles provide a framework for addressing moral quandaries that emerge in the course of medical treatment. The four core concepts of beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and respect for autonomy are introduced. Beneficence is founded on the idea that doctors should act in the best interests of their patients. The principle of nonmaleficence encourages medical practitioners to refrain from causing harm to the patient (Baillie, 2013). According to respect for autonomy, capable patients must be allowed to decline or accept offered treatment interventions. Lastly, the principle of respect for dignity is based on the fundamental idea that every individual must be treated with respect and dignity (Baillie, 2013).
The limits of doing good
It is observed that avoiding evil and doing good is impossible. For instance, death is often regarded as a harm that needs prevention and life is considered as good that must be promoted. However, there are instances when the description mentioned above is questioned in medicinal practices. Loved ones of patients may believe that being on life support with the aim of preventing death is an act of doing good. Medical practitioners, on the other hand, might feel that life support is the harm and that natural death may be good for the patient (Baillie, 2013).
Double effect and wedge principles
Another principle discussed in the chapter is the principle of double effect which describes the outcomes attributed to the performance of moral activities. The concept is based on the fundamental idea that ethical activities have two effects: an unpredicted but expected evil impact and an estimated and not rationally attained good effect. A good example is abortions which can be as a result of human intervention or without deliberation. The wedge principle, on the other hand, asserts that abortion is considered evil if its outcomes are hazardous to the society (Baillie, 2013).
Moral conflicts
Dealing with moral conflicts presents a considerable challenge since autonomy without respect for beneficence would insinuate an inhumane lack of care thus unacceptable benevolence. Precisely as a result of this whole relationship of these principles, the situation can lead to a dilemma (Baillie, 2013). Therefore, to reconcile the two principles, ethical deliberation should be acknowledged rather than focusing on any illusionary and enforced attempts to solve them.
Reference
Baillie, H. (2013). Health care ethics. Boston, Mass: Pearson Education.
