Christian Principles Of Ethics (4)

Christian Principles of Ethics A. T. Alora

Objectives  Explain

Christian principles of ethics related to health  Apply these principles to healthcare delivery, education and research

Christian Principles  Principle:

rules of conduct from values translated to concrete contexts  Based on Christian faith  Classification: in relation to process, act, others

Christian Principles In relation to the decisionmaking process  well formed conscience  inner freedom

I. Well formed Conscience  Practical

judgment  Steps: inform, judge (moral certitude), act, accept responsibility  Duty: form a true conscience  Violation: fail to inform, obey, take responsibility for

II. Inner Freedom  Capacity

to choose without compulsion  Duty: avoid loss of rational control  Violation: cause loss of control  Considerations: illness coercion

Christian Principles In relation to actions:  human dignity  inviolability of life  stewardship and creativity  totality and integrity  personalized sexuality  double effect

III. Human Dignity Aim

at satisfaction of needs of person Duty: deal with as end Violation: use as means

IV. Inviolability of Life  Life

is sacred  From conception to natural death  Duty: protect life; preserve species  Violation: harm/destroy life  Consideration: Life is not the highest value

V. Stewardship and Creativity  

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Dominion over creation Duty: Care and cultivate within nature within man’s knowledge responsibly and respectfully Violation: harm/destroy present or future creation Consideration: correct vs improve

VI. Totality and Integrity     

Full function and potential Parts for & subordinate to whole Duty: care for all parts Violation: mutilation, depress function, kill Consideration: sacrifice part if: harms whole no alternative removal does not destroy intrinsic nature effort to compensate

VII. Personalized sexuality  

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Love and be united – continue species Conjugal act in marriage indivisible unitive and procreative elements Duty: preserve sanctity and integrity Violation: desecrate act; suppress one element Consideration: can be sacrificed

VIII. Double Effect  

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Action with good and bad effect Duty: allow only if motive (chosen effect) is good object is good/neutral benefit results from action benefit more or = harm Violation: end used to justify means Consideration: evaluating effect/means

Christian Principles In relation to others (community)  free and informed consent  professional communication  solidarity  common good and subsidiarity  cooperation

IX. Free and Informed Consent  Right/responsibility  For

to decide

protection respect better compliance less litigation

Free and Informed Consent Elements information consent competence and acceptance freedom and voluntariness  Considerations emergencies, proxy, children 

X. Professional Communication 1. Truth-telling give accurate complete information justification: it is right for respect and trust to prevent harm for diagnosis & management

Professional Communication Truth-telling duty: tell: appropriate time and manner violation: withheld truth, lies considerations: emergency therapeutic privilege bad news: culture

Professional Communication 2. Confidentiality keep professional data private justification: for respect and trust to prevent harm for diagnosis and management duty: keep secret violation: telling others

Professional Communication Confidentiality considerations: required by legitimate authority with consent to avoid a greater harm culture

XI. Solidarity  Be

one with  For common good, love  Duty: help neighbor  Violation: fail to help  Consideration: Philippine culture

XII. Common Good and Subsidiarity  Participate

according to

capability  Help when unable  Duty: let/help decide and act  Violation: paternalism  Consideration: efficiency

XIII. Legitimate Cooperation  

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Participation in a wrong-doing Classification intention: formal or material involvement: immediate or mediate action: proximate or remote Duty: not to cooperate in a wrong doing Violation: cooperation in a wrong doing

Legitimate Cooperation Consideration:  may be allowed if material, mediate and as remote as possible significant proportionate reason scandal avoided no alternative lesser evil action 

Christian Principles  As

I reflect God growth through suffering stewardship virtues

XIV. Growth through Suffering United w/ Christ suffering – growth  Duty: endure with courage and faith  Violation: punishment  Consideration: some sufferings need to be relieved; duty of MD to do so 