Transcript Document

An ethical framework
for public health
Professor Tom Baldwin
Professor of Philosophy,
University of York
The state and the citizen:
ethical theories
Libertarian Perspective
Intermediate positions (Liberal State)
Collectivist Perspective
(Utilitarian and Social Contract
approaches)
How to resolve the conflict between
promotion of public health and
protection of individual freedoms?
The harm principle:
“That the only purpose for which power
can be rightfully exercised over any
member of a civilised community,
against his will, is to prevent harm to
others. His own good, either physical
or moral, is not a sufficient warrant”
An initial framework
Goals for public health:
• reduce health risks from environment
and actions of others
• provide information and advice, with
special attention to children
Constraints:
• avoid coercive attempts to make
people lead healthy lives and
minimise interventions in important
areas of personal life
Further issues important in
public health
•
•
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Individual consent
Health inequalities
Changing habits
Community
Also consider…
• Paternalism
• The ‘nanny' state
• The Stewardship Model
The revised framework
Goals:
• reduce the risks of ill health people
impose on each other
• environmental conditions to sustain
good health
• special attention to the vulnerable
• access to medical care
• reduce inequalities
Constraints:
• minimise intrusion / coerciveness
• consent / alternative procedures
Role of third parties
• Medical institutions, schools,
charities
• Businesses: food, drink, tobacco
and pharmaceutical companies,
shops, pubs and restaurants
• Corporate social responsibility
function
• But, intervention by the state to
protect important goods is
acceptable