Ethics in health care, Part II: The product of shared deliberation. Working within a pluralistic culture

In a pluralistic society, ethics must be understood as "what we ought to do and become, as civilized persons, in light of who we say we are." This understanding of ethics can help hospital ethics committees produce policies and consultations that are the result of shared deliberation and respect. The ethical principles of respect for autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice are considered, and it is shown how these principles reveal values that are central to the practice of contemporary health care. Finally, the issue of refusing medical interventions--and some of the religious, ethical, and legal values that affect this issue--are explored. Part I of this article (1) described the process and activities of typical ethical committees functioning in health-care facilities today. This article will consider some of the more substantive issues these committees must deal with and some of the ethical conclusions and insights that have arisen as a result of the shared deliberations of these groups.