Death, dying, and the brain

These cases have been cited and these issues presented to make the point that principles are often out of phase with perceptions. The argument is not that principles should cede to perceptions. This would imply resignation to the unlikelihood of moral development. Neither do we claim that perceptions should simply and generally capitulate to principles. This could mean an intolerable dictatorship of one philosophy over experience. Clinical ethics is the challenge to integrate principles and perceptions continuously and critically in resolving value conflicts about the best care of individual patients.