Principlism in Bioethics: Autonomy, Beneficence, and Moral Dilemmas

This essay provides an analysis of principlism within the context of bioethics, focusing on the application and importance of four key moral principles: autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. It discusses how autonomy, the principle of individual decision-making, is often prioritized in bioethical discussions. However, the author argues for the primacy of non-maleficence, emphasizing the importance of avoiding deliberate harm to patients. The essay also explores the ranking of these principles, suggesting a hierarchy of non-maleficence, justice, autonomy, and beneficence. Furthermore, it contrasts this ranking with the values presented in the Christian Biblical narrative, which prioritizes beneficence. The essay concludes by asserting the equal importance of all four principles and advocating for their appropriate consideration in both medical practice and ethical decision-making, highlighting the need for balance in the application of each principle for the well-being of patients and the guidance of doctors.

Running head: PRINCIPLISM
PRINCIPLISM
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

1PRINCIPLISM
The objective of the paper is to analyse Principlism in the context of bioethics. The paper
discusses the importance of four other principles and their ranking in the context of the Christian
Biblical narrative.
Principlism is an approach to the examination of the moral dilemmas. It is based upon the
application of four moral principles that are autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice
(Weinstock, 2015). These principles of autonomy refers to the individual’s capability of the
making independent decisions. In the context of bioethics, the patient’s wishes are the most
important and even if the doctor takes decisions on behalf of the patients for their welfare, the
doctor should always respect the wishes of the patient. The principle of beneficence signifies the
responsibility to act for the benefit of others. Non-maleficence means refraining from any acts
that can causes deliberate harm to the patient. Justice refers to the actions that see that the cost
and benefits are equally distributed.
In the context of bioethics, the principle of autonomy has always been given a greater
importance in way that it quashes all other principles and values (Cimakasky & Polansky, 2015).
However, according to me the most important principle that should be given the topmost priority
is the principle of non-maleficence. Whatever the case be, causing deliberate harm to patients is
against any moral obligations and should be avoided at all costs. The second most important
principle should be justice, followed by the principle of autonomy and then the principle of
beneficence. According the Christian Biblical narrative, it gives more importance to helping
others; therefore, it seems legible that the foremost important principle would be beneficence.
Then the principle of autonomy, justice and non-maleficence follows.

2PRINCIPLISM
Thus, it may be concluded that all the four principles have an equal importance and that
each of them should be considered in an appropriate manner for the benefit of the patients and
the doctors.

3PRINCIPLISM
References
Cimakasky, J., & Polansky, R. (2015). Aristotle and principlism in bioethics. Diametros, (45),
59-70.
Weinstock, R. (2015). Dialectical principlism: an approach to finding the most ethical
action. Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online, 43(1), 10-
20.