Open AccessUtilitarian and deontological ethics in medicine
Author(s) -
Jharna Mandal,
Dinoop Korol Ponnambath,
Subhash Chandra Parija
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
tropical parasitology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.418
H-Index - 11
eISSN - 2229-7758
pISSN - 2229-5070
DOI - 10.4103/2229-5070.175024
Subject(s) - deontological ethics , utilitarianism , medical ethics , bioethics , psychology , health care , medical practice , engineering ethics , epistemology , medicine , political science , law , philosophy , medical education , psychiatry , engineering
Medical ethics is a sensible branch of moral philosophy and deals with conflicts in obligations/duties and their potential outcome. Two strands of thought exist in ethics regarding decision-making: deontological and utilitarian. In deontological approach, outcomes/consequences may not just justify the means to achieve it while in utilitarian approach; outcomes determine the means and greatest benefit expected for the greatest number. In brief, deontology is patient-centered, whereas utilitarianism is society-centered. Although these approaches contradict each other, each of them has their own substantiating advantages and disadvantages in medical practice. Over years, a trend has been observed from deontological practice to utilitarian approach leading to frustration and discontentment. Health care system and practitioners need to balance both these ethical arms to bring congruity in medical practice.