title: [Basic ethical considerations in intensive care--Switzerland, a pluralistic country].
abstract: The basic ethical considerations surrounding intensive care are analyzed from the historical perspective, with particular reference to the two doctrines still of greatest importance: Kantianism and utilitarianism. They are correlated with the four essential principles of medical ethics: autonomy of the patient, quality, nihil nocere, and equal distribution of medical resources. The inevitable conflicts, particularly arising from pluralism, are reviewed. Finally, the absolute need is stressed for a global medical ethics taking into consideration not only the patient but society as a whole.
authors.affiliation: Schweizerischen Akademie der Medizinischen Wissenschaften.
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Muller
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D015276:Health Care Rationing; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D010684:Philosophy; D011787:Quality of Health Care