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Related Experiment Videos

Supererogation and altruism: a comment.

R S Downie

    Journal of Medical Ethics
    |April 6, 2002
    PubMed
    Summary

    Doctors

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    Area of Science:

    • Medical Ethics
    • Moral Philosophy

    Background:

    • Distinguishing supererogation from altruism is key to understanding medical ethics.
    • Altruism and supererogation are distinct moral concepts, not inherent to professional duties.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To clarify the moral concepts of supererogation and altruism in the context of medical practice.
    • To determine if acting in patients' best interests aligns with altruism or supererogation.

    Main Methods:

    • Conceptual analysis of moral philosophy terms.
    • Application of these concepts to the professional role of physicians.

    Main Results:

    • Doctors' professional duty is to act in patients' best interests, which is neither altruistic nor supererogatory.
    • Individual physicians may exhibit supererogation, but it's not a requirement of the medical profession.

    Conclusions:

    • The practice of medicine is a job description, not an inherently altruistic or supererogatory act.
    • Medical ethics are upheld by the quality of individual doctors' work, not the definition of their professional duties.
    Keywords:
    Professional Patient Relationship

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