Published: 2024-12-20

Human Dignity, Principles of Autonomy and Solidarity in the Context of Epidemic Conditions

Jacek Meller
Gdańsk Studies
Section: Artykuły
https://doi.org/10.26142/stgd-2024-009

Abstract

Life and health are an important concern for every person as one’s fundamental goods. Everyone should enjoy the help of the community the member of which he is. If the personalistic rule is the foundation of social life, the recognition of the priority of the dignity of a person among other values, the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity should be framework of social life. The task of health care institutions is to create conditions in which the safest and most effective methods of therapy and prevention will be available, and the individual will be able to consciously choose what best serves his or her best interest, in accordance with the hierarchy of values recognized by him or her, the adopted worldview and life goals. The aim of the article is to analyse the relationship between the community and the individual in the field of health care in normal conditions and during an epidemic. The existence of specific threats may suggest that exceptions to the application of the fundamental rules of social life: autonomy, subsidiarity and social solidarity are allowed. However, the recognition of the basic value of the dignity of a person requires the community to apply the same rules as in ordinary times, although many activities of public institutions are intensified in time of greater threat.

Keywords:

autonomy of the person, epidemic, health care, subsidiarity, solidarity

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Citation rules

Meller, J. (2024). Human Dignity, Principles of Autonomy and Solidarity in the Context of Epidemic Conditions. Gdańsk Studies, 54, 131–144. https://doi.org/10.26142/stgd-2024-009

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