- #1
greghouse
- 38
- 0
This thread is regarding the need for ethics and empathy within the field of medicine. I would of course appreciate if some actual MDs would reply to this since they have the practical experience of medicine whereas my opinions are merely based on cold logic. Others are of course welcome to critize me aswell, as long as they take the thread seriously and don't label me as some "mad-scientis mengele-type mad-man"
My opinion is that empathy is not needed within medicine, on the contrary, "difficult ethical dilemmas" is best solved with cold logic, a way of thinking that is inhibited gravely by empathy. Empathy reduces your chances of making the best possible decision in every situation, whereas the positive results of empathy, (telling someone "the right things", making them feel better etc. ) can be learned, trained in etc. This argument is strongly supported by the facts that some high-functional autist (Aspergers syndrom) have learned what to say in certain situations, and it is even suggested by some statements that certain MDs have said. The types of statements I think about is for instance "...I find these decisions the tuffest to make. Afterwards I have to rationalize it for myself, and my collegues. Its the worst part of the job." The MD knows what has to be done, but has difficulties doing it.
Right and wrong are just words and their definition differs between cultures. The only relevant thing is what's necessary.
My opinion is that empathy is not needed within medicine, on the contrary, "difficult ethical dilemmas" is best solved with cold logic, a way of thinking that is inhibited gravely by empathy. Empathy reduces your chances of making the best possible decision in every situation, whereas the positive results of empathy, (telling someone "the right things", making them feel better etc. ) can be learned, trained in etc. This argument is strongly supported by the facts that some high-functional autist (Aspergers syndrom) have learned what to say in certain situations, and it is even suggested by some statements that certain MDs have said. The types of statements I think about is for instance "...I find these decisions the tuffest to make. Afterwards I have to rationalize it for myself, and my collegues. Its the worst part of the job." The MD knows what has to be done, but has difficulties doing it.
Right and wrong are just words and their definition differs between cultures. The only relevant thing is what's necessary.