The Future of the Medical Profession between Bioethics and the Market. A Final Comment.

Authors

  • Daniele Callahan The Hastings Center, New York

Keywords:

Market , Bioethics , Incentives

Abstract

For a variety of historical and professional reasons the field of bioethics has paid little attention to the market. It has tended to treat the market with suspicion or hostility. Now, however, the market must be taken seriously. It has become a world-wide force in health care, and there is every reason to believe it will remain strong in the future. For thet reason, it is wise to see what can be taken from the market, rather than simply dismiss it altogether. The market has various aspects: a theory of human nature, a view of human behaviour, and an ideological aspect, with proponents stressing the necessary connection between political and market freedom. This article argues that only its view of human behavior should be accepetd, particularly the possibily of using incentives, positive and negative, to change behavior. That can be helpful in health care, whereas the market's view of human nature should be rejected.     

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Published

2019-06-03

Issue

Section

Articles