Abstract

TORRES LEON, J.M.. The transformation of medical ethics. Sanid. Mil. [online]. 2011, vol.67, n.2, pp.131-134. ISSN 1887-8571.

Medical ethics based on a paternalistic model inspired by aristotelic philosophy, prevailed in medical practice well into the 20th century. The events of the Second World War and social changes of the century provided enough arguments for philosophy to burst into medical ethics related issues. Principlism, especially the principle of autonomy, and the theory of informed consent, changed the traditional character of the relation physician-patient. Far from being established principlism has not solved the essence of the ethical issues that often appear nowadays. Individual and social demands about expected medical advances often clash with the physicians' understanding of their profession. The ethical argument to support the physicians' behavior for the good of the patient, in quite a few occasions, has become a source of uncertainty for the physician.

Keywords : Medical ethics; Principlism; Wish-fulfilling medicine.

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