A dialog on common morality in medical ethics in a pluralist setting in Iran: a  qualitative content analysis

Ladannaz  Zahedi; Bagher  Larijani; Mohsen  Javadi; Shahin  Aawani; Seyed Abdosaleh  Jafari; Kobra   Joodaki; Roya  Rashidpouraie; Saeedeh  Saeedi Tehrani

doi:10.18502/jmehm.v16i3.12972

Ladannaz Zahedi PhD Candidate in Medical Ethics, Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Faculty Member of Iranian Academy of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Bagher Larijani Professor, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohsen Javadi Professor, Ethics Department, University of Qom, Qom, Iran
Shahin Aawani Associate Professor, Iranian Research Institute of Philosophy (IRIP), Tehran, Iran.
Seyed Abdosaleh Jafari Associate Professor, Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Kobra Joodaki PhD in Medical Ethics, Member of National Association of Iranian Obstetricians and Gynecologists (NAIGO), Tehran, Iran.
Roya Rashidpouraie PhD in Medical Ethics, Head of Medical Error Committee, Shahriar Medical Council, Tehran, Iran
Saeedeh Saeedi Tehrani Assistant Professor, Ethics Department, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmehm.v16i3.12972

Keywords: Principle-based ethics; Common morality; Clinical reasoning; Cultural diversity; Qualitative research.

Abstract

The concept of common morality is fundamental in medical ethics, and lack of universal content and characteristics of common morality is a product of its multifaceted nature. This study aimed to identify the ideas and experiences of academic faculties regarding common morality in a pluralistic setting to promote conceptual knowledge and strengthen moral reasoning and ethical decision-making.

The study was conducted using a qualitative method, employing semi-structured in-depth interviews with thirteen faculty members who were selected purposively. In order to assess their ideas and experiences, the transcripts of the interviews were analyzed using the content analysis method through directed and conventional approaches. The interviews were coded manually.

Two themes were reflected in the interviews: ontology and epistemology of common morality.

The study indicates that the debate about the subjective or objective dependence of common morality questions the coherence of Beauchamp and Childress' common morality (CM) theory, as common morality is the result of various individual and social factor that influence moral thinking and decision-making in pluralistic environments. Additional studies are needed in order to investigate the effect of cultural, social, theoretical, ideological and individual factors on promoting clinical ethical reasoning and decision-making skills.