RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Against the magnanimous in medical ethics.
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 124
OP 128
DO 10.1136/jme.16.3.124
VO 16
IS 3
A1 M H Kottow
YR 1990
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/16/3/124.abstract
AB Supererogatory acts are considered by some to be part of medicine, whereas others accept supererogation to be a gratuitous virtue, to be extolled when present, but not to be demanded. The present paper sides with those contending that medicine is duty-bound to benefit patients and that supererogation/altruism must per definition remain outside and beyond any role-description of the profession. Medical ethics should be bound by rational ethics and steer away from separatist views which grant exclusive privileges but also create excessive demands, way beyond what physicians perform or are willing and able to offer.