[Is personalism or utilitarianism an adequate foundation of medical ethics?].
The article rejects utilitarianism as a proper theory for medical ethics. Utilitarians lavishly use various slogans of effective action, development and better civilization. However, the principle of prosperity of humanity in the utilitarian interpretation makes the value of the human person subject to society. Social interest threatens the individual here because it defines his/her value of life. The drift towards maximalization of benefits and prosperity of humanity strikes the seriously ill, e.g. babies with brain damages, Down's syndrome, etc., people after accidents and with serious brain defects, the terminally ill. The principle of quality of life (lebensunwertes Leben) used by utylitarians allows them to argue, that euthanasia, abortion is in the interest of the patient. Some utilitarians openly admit that such ideas as "universal happiness", "prosperity", "benefit" are empty ideas, fictions to which one cannot attribute any contents. So utilitarianism, not defining its fundamental ideas, can easily change medical ethics in a theory of elimination of the uncomfortable people. Therefore, as a theory utilitarianism cannot serve as the basis for medical ethics.
Biesaga
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Papieska Akademia Teologiczna, Wydział Filozoficzny, Kraków.
D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005065:Euthanasia; D006808:Humanism; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011788:Quality of Life; D012945:Social Values; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000592:standards; D026712:Value of Life