Principle of Respect for Autonomy

Running head: HEALTHCARE ETHICS AND LAW
HEALTHCARE ETHICS AND LAW
Name of the Student
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Author Note

HEALTHCARE ETHICS AND LAW1
Introduction
Ethics is regarded as the study in relation to idyllic human conduct or behavior. Being a
philosophical and metaphysical discipline of study, ethics is considered to be a methodical
approach in relation to understanding and consideration, investigating, evaluating and
differentiating matters relating to bad and good, wrong or right, and deplorable and admirable as
they occur along a range and as they link and connect to the welfare of and relations or
associations among sensitive and responsive beings. In this paper a detailed discussion has been
done about the various principles in ethics. In this context a case study has also been discussed
by relating the issues in it with the various ethical principles. The ethical principles that have
been discussed in the paper include the Principle of Respect for Autonomy, Principle of
Beneficence, Principle of Non-maleficence, Principle of Justice, Principle of Veracity and
Principle of Fidelity. The paper also discusses about the various theories in ethics such as
Consequentialism, Utilitarianism and Deontology. These theories have also been applied in the
given case study.
Discussion
Ethical Principles
The ‘Principle of Respect for Autonomy’ is considered to be a primary ethical principle.
One shall be obligated to respect and revere the autonomy in relation to other individuals. This
principle is also known as the ‘principle of human dignity’. This principle negates a particular
individual from interfering with the decisions given effect to by competent adults, and promotes
that a particular individual should empower the decisions of others (Meehan & Landry, 2016).
As per the ‘Principle of Beneficence’, one shall be obligated to achieve good in relation to all the

HEALTHCARE ETHICS AND LAW2
actions performed. Positive steps should be taken in order to avoid or stop harm (Rongsawat,
Chaowalit, Nasae & Woods, 2018). The ‘Principle of Nonmaleficence’ forwards that one should
not harm any other individual. In situations, where it shall not be possible to avoid the harm, then
one should try to reduce or curtail the harm. One should not supplement the risk or peril of harm
or damage to other individuals. (Gallo, Baxter, Murphy, Schwartz, & Thoma, 2018). The
‘Principle of Justice’ provides that one shall be obligated to provide other individuals anything
that they might be owed to or anything that they might deserve. In actuality, a particular
individual shall be obligated to treat everyone in a fair, impartial and equal manner. When the
principles relating to beneficence and justice are amalgamated, then one shall be obligated to do
work to cause benefit to those individuals who all are unjustly and unfairly treated (Ake, 2017).
The ‘Principle of Veracity’ obligates a particular individual to be honest and one should always
speak the truth. This principle is considered to be the foundation regarding the trust relation that
is established amid a health care worker and a patient (Amer, 2019). The ‘Principle of Fidelity’
refers to the keeping of promises by a particular individual. A nurse shall be faithful, genuine and
true in relation to his or her professional responsibilities, obligations, duties and promises by
delivering safe, high quality care in a capable and proficient manner (Ingham-Broomfield, 2017).
Ethical Theories
Consequentialism is regarded as a normative ethical philosophy. It is regarded as a
notion or concept in relation to a particular ethical action and a projected system in order to
decide how an individual should select the correct ethical action. Utilitarianism is regarded as a
consequentialist moral or ethical philosophy that is focused on increasing the overall or universal
good, that is, one’s own good and the good of other individuals. Jeremy Bentham and John
Stuart Mill are considered to be the founders and advocates regarding this theory. Classical