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Why the fair innings argument is not persuasive
1School of Philosophy, University of Leeds, Leeds, England. rivlin@globalnet.co.uk
BMC Medical Ethics
|March 7, 2001
Summary
The fair innings argument (FIA) should not justify denying elderly patients healthcare. This ethical argument, often used in resource scarcity, lacks sound reasoning and fails scrutiny.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Public Health Policy
- Geriatric Care
Background:
- The fair innings argument (FIA) is often invoked to ration healthcare resources, prioritizing younger patients over elderly ones.
- This ethical principle suggests individuals deserve a 'fair share' of life, justifying withholding treatment from older patients.
- Scarcity of healthcare resources intensifies debates surrounding age-based allocation and the validity of the FIA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically examine the ethical and logical underpinnings of the fair innings argument (FIA).
- To evaluate the justifications used to support age-based healthcare rationing.
- To determine if the FIA provides a sound basis for denying treatment to elderly patients.
Main Methods:
- Philosophical analysis of the concept of a 'fair share' of life and resources.
- Examination of the distinction between 'unfair' and 'unfortunate' in the context of mortality.
- Critique of the 'all other things being equal' assumption in ethical decision-making regarding healthcare allocation.
Main Results:
- Arguments supporting the FIA do not withstand rigorous ethical and logical scrutiny.
- The concept of a 'fair share' of life or healthcare resources is ethically problematic and lacks clear definition.
- The FIA conflates what is unfortunate (elderly death) with what is unfair (denial of treatment based on age).
Conclusions:
- The fair innings argument (FIA) is an ethically unsound basis for denying medical treatment to elderly patients.
- Healthcare rationing decisions should not be based on age, as the FIA lacks justification.
- Ethical healthcare allocation requires a nuanced approach beyond simplistic age-based criteria.
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