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The place of the ideal observer in medical ethics

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  • Churchill, Larry R.

Abstract

The idea of an ideal observer is frequently employed in ethical reasoning and has recently been introduced into medical ethics. The contemporary use of this idea, however, is deeply flawed. It ignores important social and personal dimensions of ethics. By espousing a perspective of observation removed from history and community, the ideal observer notion encourages a pretense of objectivity and overlooks the distortions of distance. If taken seriously as a model for choice, the ideal observer is incoherent, as it dispenses with the concrete moral agent and the locus of choice. Adam Smith's 'impartial spectator' is examined as a more adequate statement of the need for appreciating diverse perspectives in ethical choices.

Suggested Citation

  • Churchill, Larry R., 1983. "The place of the ideal observer in medical ethics," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 17(13), pages 897-901, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:17:y:1983:i:13:p:897-901
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    Cited by:

    1. Smeele, Nicholas V.R. & Chorus, Caspar G. & Schermer, Maartje H.N. & de Bekker-Grob, Esther W., 2023. "Towards machine learning for moral choice analysis in health economics: A literature review and research agenda," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 326(C).

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