Christian Principles of Ethics

A. T. Alora
Objectives
Explain

Christian principles of ethics related to health Apply these principles to

healthcare delivery, education and research
Christian Principles
Principle:

rules of conduct from values translated to concrete contexts Based on Christian

faith Classification: in relation to process, act, others
Christian Principles
In relation to the decisionmaking process well formed conscience inner freedom
I. Well formed Conscience
Practical

judgment Steps: inform, judge (moral certitude), act, accept responsibility

Duty: form a true conscience Violation: fail to inform, obey, take
responsibility for
II. Inner Freedom
Capacity

to choose without compulsion Duty: avoid loss of rational control Violation:

cause loss of control Considerations: illness coercion
Christian Principles
In relation to actions: human dignity inviolability of life stewardship
and creativity totality and integrity personalized sexuality double effect
III. Human Dignity
Aim

at satisfaction of needs of person Duty: deal with as end Violation: use as

means
IV. Inviolability of Life
Life

is sacred From conception to natural death Duty: protect life; preserve

species Violation: harm/destroy life Consideration: Life is not the highest
value
V. Stewardship and Creativity

Dominion over creation Duty: Care and cultivate within nature within man’s
knowledge responsibly and respectfully Violation: harm/destroy present or future
creation Consideration: correct vs improve
VI. Totality and Integrity

Full function and potential Parts for & subordinate to whole Duty: care for all
parts Violation: mutilation, depress function, kill Consideration: sacrifice part
if: harms whole no alternative removal does not destroy intrinsic nature effort to
compensate
VII. Personalized sexuality

Love and be united – continue species Conjugal act in marriage indivisible unitive
and procreative elements Duty: preserve sanctity and integrity Violation:
desecrate act; suppress one element Consideration: can be sacrificed
VIII. Double Effect

Action with good and bad effect Duty: allow only if motive (chosen effect) is good
object is good/neutral benefit results from action benefit more or = harm
Violation: end used to justify means Consideration: evaluating effect/means
Christian Principles
In relation to others (community) free and informed consent professional
communication solidarity common good and subsidiarity cooperation
IX. Free and Informed Consent
Right/responsibility For

to decide

protection respect better compliance less litigation

Free and Informed Consent
Elements information consent competence and acceptance freedom and voluntariness
Considerations emergencies, proxy, children
X. Professional Communication
1. Truth-telling give accurate complete information justification: it is right for
respect and trust to prevent harm for diagnosis & management
Professional Communication
Truth-telling duty: tell: appropriate time and manner violation: withheld truth,
lies considerations: emergency therapeutic privilege bad news: culture
Professional Communication
2. Confidentiality keep professional data private justification: for respect and
trust to prevent harm for diagnosis and management duty: keep secret violation:
telling others
Professional Communication
Confidentiality considerations: required by legitimate authority with consent to
avoid a greater harm culture
XI. Solidarity
Be

one with For common good, love Duty: help neighbor Violation: fail to
help Consideration: Philippine culture
XII. Common Good and Subsidiarity
Participate

according to

capability Help when unable Duty: let/help decide and act Violation:
paternalism Consideration: efficiency
XIII. Legitimate Cooperation

Participation in a wrong-doing Classification intention: formal or material

involvement: immediate or mediate action: proximate or remote Duty: not to
cooperate in a wrong doing Violation: cooperation in a wrong doing
Legitimate Cooperation
Consideration: may be allowed if material, mediate and as remote as possible
significant proportionate reason scandal avoided no alternative lesser evil action
Christian Principles
As

I reflect God growth through suffering stewardship virtues

XIV. Growth through Suffering
United w/ Christ suffering – growth Duty: endure with courage and faith
Violation: punishment Consideration: some sufferings need to be relieved; duty
of MD to do so