Family Practise Ethics: Postmodern Ethics for a Postmodern Discipline?

Abstract

This paper is aimed at describing an ethics of Family Practice. ln order to achieve this, universal ethical theories and the four principles of ethics - autonomy, beneficence, non- maleficence and justice - are placed in perspective. The concepts of modernism and postmodernism are also introduced and explored. The principles of Family Medicine are examined within the context of postmodernism and a parallel is drawn. In keeping with this concept, the revival of virtue ethics is highlighted. In conclusion, a practically relevant approach to ethics is proposed as an ethical model for Family Practice, in which elements of pre-modern, modern and postmodern ethics are combined to complement one another and to form a relevant framework for the resolution of ethical dilemmas in family practice.