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Moral Choice, the Good of the Patient, and the Patient’s Good

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Ethics and Critical Care Medicine

Part of the book series: Philosophy and Medicine ((PHME,volume 19))

Abstract

Acting for the good of the patient is the most ancient and universally acknowledged principle of medical ethics. It grounds ethical theories and shapes the way their principles are applied in particular cases. It is the ultimate court of appeal for the morality of medical acts. While it may, on rare occasions be set aside for the common good, this is done with trepidation and in only the most urgent circumstances.

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© 1985 D. Reidel Publishing Company

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Pellegrino, E.D. (1985). Moral Choice, the Good of the Patient, and the Patient’s Good. In: Moskop, J.C., Kopelman, L. (eds) Ethics and Critical Care Medicine. Philosophy and Medicine, vol 19. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5233-1_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5233-1_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8814-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-5233-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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