The Irrational Patient and the Placebo Arguments
|
The Irrational Patient Argument: |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Telling the truth to a patient may cause the patient to become irrational and engage in self-destructive behavior. |
|
|
|
2 |
If telling the truth to a patient may cause the patient to become irrational and engage in self-destructive behavior, then it is morally permissible for physicians to not tell the truth. |
|
|
Therefore |
3 |
It is morally permissible for physicians to not tell the truth. |
1&2 |
|
The Placebo Argument: |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Placebos necessarily involve deception. |
|
|
|
2 |
Placebos are among the most powerful agents in medicine. |
|
|
|
3 |
If [1 and 2] then it is in the best interests of the patient to not be told the truth. |
|
|
|
4 |
If it is in the best interests of the patient to not be told the truth then it is morally permissible for physicians to not tell the truth. |
|
|
Therefore |
5 |
If [1 and 2] then it is morally permissible for physicians to not tell the truth. |
3&4 |
|
Therefore |
6 |
It is morally permissible for physicians to not tell the truth. |
1,2 &5 |