The Premise of Professionalism in Contractualism (전문직업성의 전제를 위한 검토: 계약주의에 근거하여)

JUNHEWK KIM (김준혁)

The Premise of Professionalism in Contractualism

Korean Journal of Medical Ethics
Abbr : 의료윤리
2023, 26(4), pp.289-293
Publisher : The Korean Society For Medical Ethics
Research Area : Medicine and Pharmacy > General Medicine
Received : October 27, 2023
Accepted : November 24, 2023
Published : December 31, 2023

JUNHEWK KIM ¹

¹연세대학교 치과대학 치의학교육학교실

Accredited

ABSTRACT

While agreeing with the target article’s argument that South Korea’s essential healthcare crisis should be addressedthrough a reinvigoration of medical professionalism, this commentary suggests that professionalism should be seenthrough the lens of Scanlon’s contractualism. Distinguishing between social contract theory (contractarianism) andcontractualism, this commentary argues that while the former arises from mutual benefits, the latter emphasizesmoral equality and the duty to justify oneself to others. From the perspective of contractualism, medical professionalsare not simply benefit-seekers in a social contract, but rather morally driven individuals who seek principles “thatno one could reasonably reject.” Through specific examples, such as the legislation concerning CCTV camerasin surgical rooms, this commentary demonstrates the potential of a contractualist approach to break the impassein traditional debates about medical professionalism by shifting the focus from individual benefits to collectivelyacceptable principles. Ultimately, it is argued that a contractualist perspective on medical professionalism offers anovel way to empower medical professionals and engage society, one that emphasizes shared responsibility and thereason-giving force intrinsic to this approach.

KEYWORDS

professionalism, scanlon, ethical theory, social responsibility

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.

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Korean Journal of Medical Ethics 2023 KCI Impact Factor : 1.21