Principlism

Principlism is a system of ethics based on the four moral principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. These principles are considered universal and guide the ethical decision-making process in healthcare.

Overview

Principlism is a framework used in the analysis of ethical dilemmas in fields such as healthcare. It is based on four key principles: autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. These principles are not hierarchical and are all considered when making ethical decisions.

Principles

Autonomy

Autonomy is the principle that individuals have the right to make decisions about their own healthcare. This principle respects the individual's right to self-determination and personal liberty.

Beneficence

Beneficence is the principle that healthcare providers should act in the best interest of the patient. This includes promoting good, preventing harm, and removing harm.

Nonmaleficence

Nonmaleficence is the principle that healthcare providers should not cause harm to patients. This principle is often associated with the phrase "do no harm".

Justice

Justice is the principle that individuals should be treated fairly and equally. This includes distributing benefits, risks, and costs fairly.

Application

Principlism is used in healthcare to guide ethical decision-making. It is used in a variety of contexts, including clinical practice, research, and policy-making. The principles are applied through a process of specification, balancing, and justification.

Criticism

While principlism is widely used, it has been criticized for being too abstract and not taking into account the complexities of real-world situations. Critics also argue that it does not adequately address issues of power and social justice.

See also

• Bioethics
• Medical ethics
• Ethical dilemma

Principlism Resources
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