Title: The Ethical Principle of Justice: The Purveyor of Equality | Population Health Learning Network
Headings: The Ethical Principle of Justice: The Purveyor of Equality
The Ethical Principle of Justice: The Purveyor of Equality
Content: Residents have the right to choose and execute an advance directive, to make clinical decisions about their own personal health, and to execute the inherent right of self-determination. 6
Promoting Autonomy for all is an application of Justice. To treat people fairly and equally means to support all persons’ rights to decide for themselves. In addition, Justice enforces the limits of Autonomy. Although Autonomy provides for “self-determination without overbearing external influence,” 7 equal application of the law, for example, restricts individual rights to perform acts that are outside of regulation or code. The right of LTC residents to smoke in their room violates fire code. Rules that prevent smoking in residents’ rooms are enforced without exception as dictated by the principle of Justice, thereby restricting individual autonomy. Therefore, Justice demands that one’s right to exercise Autonomy is limited when it affects the safety and well-being of another person. Summary
Justice is a concept intended to promote fair and equitable treatment of individuals within populations. Ostensibly, it seems like a very straightforward and simple principle of Ethics.