Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

An analysis of the ethics of principles, 40 years later

Abstract

Bioethics of principles has become a paradigm of moral evaluation in clinical practice. This model is based on four principles (autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice), as defined by Beauchamp and Childress almost 40 years ago. The four principles try to facilitate decision-making in a universal context. However, this objective generates a series of questions that deeply affect the ethical practice of medicine and the moral theory. Therefore, a critical analysis of the bioethical principles, its theoretical foundation and its application, in view of the results in recent decades, is needed.

Bioethics; Morals; Principle-Based ethics

Conselho Federal de Medicina SGAS 915, lote 72, CEP 70390-150, Tel.: (55 61) 3445-5932, Fax: (55 61) 3346-7384 - Brasília - DF - Brazil
E-mail: bioetica@portalmedico.org.br