CLINICAL ETHICS - THEORY OR PRACTICE

This article starts with a brief historical account of the ongoing deb ate about the status of clinical ethics: theory of practice. The autho r goes on to argue that clinical ethics is best understood as a practi ce. However, its practicality should not be measured by the extent to which clinical-ethical consultants manage to mediate or negotiate reso lutions to ethical conflicts. Rather, clinical ethics is practical bec ause it is characterized by a profound concern for the well-being of i ndividual patients as well as the moral parameters of swift and urgent medical action in the face of limited supportive information.