When Is Paternalism Justified In Healthcare?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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It is concluded that medical paternalism is justified only

when utilitarian considerations apply and when they do not violate personal rights

.

When can paternalism be justified?

Most people would agree that paternalism is justified when dealing with

a person whose freedom of choice is seriously impaired or limited

, be it due to coercion, a person’s limited cognitive capacities, ignorance of the facts, the effects of a disease such as Alzheimer’s, or the influence of drugs.

Is paternalism justified by consent or by benefit?

Paternalism means, roughly, benevolent interference – benevolent because it aims at promoting or protecting a person’s good, and interference because it restricts a person’s liberty without his

consent

.

Under what conditions is paternalistic interference justified?

Dworkin in a 1972 paper identified paternalism as “the interference with a person’s liberty of action justified by

reasons referring exclusively to the welfare, good, happiness, needs, interests or values of the person being coerced

.” To be considered paternalistic in Dworkin’s analysis, an action should (1) limit a …

Why is medical paternalism wrong?

According to the dominant view, paternalism is

wrong when it interferes with a person’s autonomy

. For example, suppose that I throw away your cream cakes because I believe that eating them is bad for your health. This paternalistic action is wrong when it interferes with your autonomous decision to eat cream cakes.

What is an example of strong paternalism?

Paternalism is the interference with the liberty or autonomy of another person, with the intent of promoting good or preventing harm to that person. Examples of paternalism in everyday life are

laws which require seat belts, wearing helmets while riding a motorcycle, and banning certain drugs

.

What is the role of patient in paternalism?

The Paternalistic Model

In a healthcare context “paternalism” occurs when

a physician or other healthcare professional makes decisions for a patient without the explicit consent of the patient

. The physician believes the decisions are in the patient’s best interests. … Paternalism occurs outside healthcare.

Can medical paternalism be justified?

It is concluded that medical paternalism is

justified only when utilitarian considerations apply

and when they do not violate personal rights.

What is the concept of paternalism?

Paternalism is

the interference of a state or an individual with another person, against their will

, and defended or motivated by a claim that the person interfered with will be better off or protected from harm.

What is Nonmaleficence in healthcare?

Nonmaleficence. Nonmaleficence is

the obligation of a physician not to harm the patient

. This simply stated principle supports several moral rules – do not kill, do not cause pain or suffering, do not incapacitate, do not cause offense, and do not deprive others of the goods of life.

What is the difference between soft and hard paternalism?

As this distinction is typically drawn, hard paternalism involves

intervention in voluntary, informed choices and consequently violates autonomy

. Soft paternalism, by contrast, supposedly involves intervention in nonvoluntary or ill-informed choices and does not violate autonomy.

Is paternalism a form of beneficence?

An act of paternalism, then,

overrides moral obligations to respect autonomous choice on grounds

of beneficence. … The paternalistic action has a strong likelihood of preventing the harm or obtaining the benefit. The projected benefits of the paternalistic action outweigh its risks.

Is the US military system paternalistic?

Modern military organizations are

paternalistic organizations

. They typically recognize a duty of care toward military personnel and are willing to ignore or violate the consent of military personnel in order to uphold that duty of care.

Who is an example of a paternalistic leader?

Paternalistic executive leaders

may view employees as important stakeholders

. As such, they may prioritize employee needs over the interests of investors. For example, a firm that offers employment for life and goes to great lengths to avoid layoffs when a business unit is unprofitable.

What is paternalism in mental health care?

Paternalism; 1)

promoting and restoring the health of the patient

, 2) providing good care and 3) assuming responsibility. Autonomy; 1) respecting the patient’s right to self-determination and information, 2) respecting the patient’s integrity and 3) protecting human rights.

What Utilitarianism means?

Utilitarianism is

a theory of morality that advocates actions that foster happiness or pleasure and oppose actions that cause unhappiness or harm

. When directed toward making social, economic, or political decisions, a utilitarian philosophy would aim for the betterment of society as a whole.

Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.