Principalism also referred to as the four principle approach because it has four principles derived from bioethics framework (PHI-413V Lecture 3). The four principles that guide people’s judgments or opinions towards bioethical topic include one, respect for autonomy. It seeks respect for decision making of independent people. The second is beneficence that stands for the protection of others through the purge of any peril to human lives. Another principle is non-maleficence requires humans to avoid harming each other, and lastly, justice involves fairness in the distribution of risks plus costs (PHI-413V Lecture 3). Although these principles have been widely acknowledged thus bringing a positive attitude in bioethics, some people do not coincide with them because of various reasons (Meilaender, 2013). For instance, the first principle of respect for persons has been critiqued because people have abused their right over their body to harm other lives; during an abortion. This paper aims at analyzing the four principles; how they can be ranked regarding their importance as well as in the context of the Christian biblical narrative.
From the look of their merits, the first principle would be non-maleficence since it stands for protection because it guards the voiceless such as the unborn. Hence, before a health practitioner performs a medical service on an independent person, he/she should consider the repercussions to other lives. The next one is beneficence followed by respect for persons and finally justice. Respect for autonomy comes before justice because for fairness to take place, then a human ought to be in a position.
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In the context of the Christian biblical narrative, I believe that one will order the four principles as I have done.
In conclusion, principalism acts as a guide within medical environs thus affecting the decision-making process of health practitioners. The four principles of approach include respect for autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice. As per my hierarchy based on their benefits, they would be ranked from non-maleficence, beneficence, respect for persons, and justice. I believe that they would follow the same suit in a Christian perspective.
Reference
Meilaender, G. (2013). Bioethics: A Primer for Christians (3rd ed.). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. PHI-413V Lecture 3
