chatopadhayaa ethique
chatopadhayaa ethique
chatopadhayaa ethique
COMMENT
Introduction
Does it make sense to teach ethics in an unethical
setting? Should one ignore or foster ethics in an
unjust environment? Why bother about ethics or
morality when the medical establishment does not
care much about them?
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with a myriad life issues.
Few will disagree with the statement that the Third, who will be the preferred teachers in ethics
curriculum of Indian medical colleges is out of touch education? Apart from the uniqueness of ethics as a
with the reality of healthcare needs of the Indian discipline or field of study, the role of teachers in
people. Bioethics is virtually non-existent in India, ethics educationeither as role models or as
both as a subject of academic pursuit and as a mentorsseems to be of paramount importance.
platform for public debate on science and medicine. While attributes like conscience, integrity, and
In the land that gave birth to the Vedas and character of the teacher are undoubtedly important
Upanishads, there is no place for philosophy, spirituality, in education, these qualities are required for
ethics, or the humanities in the medical curriculum. Thus, instruction of ethics. For example, it is
except for a very few religious minority institutions,
medical students in India get almost no exposure to
humanistic, philosophical or spiritual worldviews
during medical education and training. For all
practical purposes, ethics education in Indian medical
colleges is limited to learning bedside manners and a
few neglected lectures as part of medical
jurisprudence.
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