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  5. Clinical Ethics and the Observant Jewish and Muslim Patient: Shared Theocentric Perspectives in Practice.

Clinical Ethics and the Observant Jewish and Muslim Patient: Shared Theocentric Perspectives in Practice.

File(s)
39575535.pdf (351.9 KB)
Permanent Link(s)
https://hdl.handle.net/1813/118135
Collections
Department of Medicine
Author
Hossain, F.
Gabbay, E.
Fins, J.J.
Abstract

Patients from religious minorities can face unique challenges reconciling their beliefs with the values that undergird Western Medical Ethics. This paper explores homologies between approaches of Orthodox Judaism and Islam to medical ethics, and how these religions' moral codes differ from the prevailing ethos in medicine. Through analysis of religious and biomedical literature, this work examines how Jewish and Muslim religious observances affect decisions about genetic counseling, reproductive health, pediatric medicine, mental health, and end-of-life decisions. These traditions embrace a theocentric rather than an autonomy-based ethics. Central to this conception is the view that life and the body are gifts from God rather than the individual and the primacy of community norms. These insights can help clinicians provide care that aligns Muslim and Jewish patients' health goals with their religious beliefs and cultural values. Finally, dialogue in a medical context between these faith traditions provides an opportunity for rapprochement amidst geopolitical turmoil.

Journal / Series
Cambridge quarterly of healthcare ethics : CQ : the international journal of healthcare ethics committees
Volume & Issue
34(2)
Date Issued
2025-04-01
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Keywords
WCM Library Coordinated Deposit
•
Islam
•
Humans
•
Jews
•
Religion and Medicine
•
Judaism
•
Ethics, Clinical
•
Genetic Counseling/ethics
•
Ethics, Medical
•
Clinical Ethics
•
Islam
•
Orthodox Judaism
•
Religion
•
Religious Minorities
•
Religious Pluralism
Related DOI
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0963180124000379
Previously Published as
Hossain F, Gabbay E, Fins JJ. Clinical Ethics and the Observant Jewish and Muslim Patient: Shared Theocentric Perspectives in Practice. Cambridge quarterly of healthcare ethics : CQ : the international journal of healthcare ethics committees. 2025;34(2):247-263. doi: 10.1017/S0963180124000379. PMID: 39575535.
Rights
Attribution 4.0 International
Rights URI
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Type
article

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