Medical ethics & health policies

Abstract

When faced with a situation, involving moral uncertainty, most people when asked, would say that they would be guided by their conscience. In such situation, conscience is regarded as a kind of 'inner voice' or 'authority' which guides a person against doing anything wrong such that at the end of it there is no feeling of remorse. Conscience is essentially a moral principle reinforced by belief in Divine Will. In instances where the person does not have any religious belief or background it is a reflection of fundamental human values. Conscience as a guide to right behaviour, may be acceptable to a limited extent to health professionals, taking into consideration that treatment of ill health is culturally associated with religion and religious beliefs.