Philosophy

Kant would not agree with physicians lying to their patients regarding a diagnosis.



According to Kant's view point truth telling should be considered as a moral duty and all the physicians should abide their duty in a proper way. Kant believed that any kind of deception which is intentional in the doctor-patient relationship might give rise to several obstacles that can affect the clinical care. The deception might be discrete with the generous practice of medicine. Therefore, Kant argues that as we are not aware of certain consequences of our actions therefore lying with the patients even in the worst conditions is not justifiable and is completely wrong. As Kant believed that telling truth is a moral duty therefore lies becomes self defeating when people come to know that they cannot trust other person even when the case is of his or her own physician. For example, in case of a doctor patient relationship if the patient has a bipolar disorder and the doctor lies to him about this the patient will eventually find the diagnosis one day and will indulge in negative emotions. The negative experience of being betrayed by the doctor can give rise to rage, confusion, despair and betrayal. Moreover, the deceived people get narcissistically hurt due to this betrayal and soon come to realize that they are no longer important to the liar and not shrewd enough to recognize the lie.