Kantian Ethics in Healthcare Management and Ethical Dilemmas

With the great advancement science has made in medicine and healthcare, certain standards have been set. These standards are important because they direct the services offered by medical practitioners. Protocols and procedures must be observed and strictly followed. Even when medical practitioners follow the protocols, they face ethical dilemmas. This paper discusses the Kantian theory of ethics in terms of the roles and responsibilities of healthcare managers and analyzes the theory concerning the ethical dilemmas medical professionals confront. When medical professionals, including healthcare managers, face ethical dilemmas, they must be driven by their duty to make moral choices.

Kantian Theory

Kantian ethical theory conforms to the happiness obtained by humans. The theory is founded on deontological theory, which states that an action is right or wrong depending on whether it fulfills human duty. Kant identified the actions that were not good regardless of their outcomes, even if they brought a lot of happiness to people. Such actions include theft and murder. He argued that there exists an utmost belief that guides morals and called it The Categorical Imperative. In this regard, Kant argued that there is a command that makes people not perform certain actions. For example, “Do not kill!” is a command that makes people not kill even if killing may benefit them. The Kantian ethical theory stipulates that an action is good or bad depending on the intention of the person performing the act and not on the consequences. A person’s motivation to act determines whether it is ethical or unethical. He continues that a person should be motivated by morality, not emotions, to perform actions. Generally, Kant argues that doing good should be driven by one’s duty, not because one enjoys it. He contends that it is moral to perform one’s duty even if it is not enjoyable.

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