Matching Mullā Ṣadrā’s Philosophy of Ethics with the Common Principles of Medical Ethics

Abstract

The category of ethics is traditionally divided among researchers in this field in to three branches: applied ethics, normative ethics and meta-ethics. Despite the three branches, each of these branches has both an effect on the other. Medical ethics as a branch of applied ethics on the one hand is influenced by the views of ethics philosophers and on the other hand due to the importance of the medical profession requires special attention. The present article uses a descriptive and analytical method to apply the philosophy of Ṣadrīan ethics with one of the important views of medical ethics, namely Principalism.

The authors of this study, by examining the relevant texts, have argued the following results that are stated briefly. Principalism is in line with Ṣadrīan moral view in that according to Mullā Ṣadrā’s view of moral realism, moral concepts have an existential and external meaning, and therefore moral behavior and advice must be reflected in the world. Principalism also emphasizes the improvement of the moral performance of physicians and clinicians during medical interventions. However, the emphasis on Principalism should not lead to the molding of the clinician's mind, and according to Mullā Ṣadrā’s moral Intuitionism, the moral conscience of the physician and those involved in medicine should always show their role during treatment. Based on the study of Mullā Ṣadrā 's views, it is inferred that among the four principles of medical ethics, the two principles of beneficence and non-maleficence are the first priority, and the principles of justice and respect for autonomy are considered a means of profitability and non-prejudicial.