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No. of pages: 86

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Abstract:

This research focuses on the philosophical outlook of the patient's autonomous decision and the physician’s beneficent duty. The reconciliation or balancing of both principles of autonomy and beneficence has been a bone of contention among scholars. Although some scholars have balanced both principles it has still been debated. In analyzing these principles the interpretative and critical analysis were employed. Using these methods , it points out that the principle of autonomy has been favored in other words deemed to have more importance than the principle of beneficence.

The conflict between both principles arose because of the autonomous decision sometimes conflict with that of the physician’s beneficent duty and vice versa. Some scholars have taken sides with either of the principles as to which should dominate the other and some have also proffered ways to balance both principles. It is therefore the position of the work that both principles be reconciled and there can be a balance when both parties that is, the doctor and the patient realize that both principles are dependent on each other and both should be regulated through empirical studies.