儒家思想中的人倫與家庭本位倫理：對醫療決策的啟示

Confucian Ethics of Human Relations and Family Centrism: Implications for Medical Decision-Making

Abstract

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in Chinese; abstract also in English.

本文以儒家“五倫”思想為理論基礎，探討其在現代醫療決策中的實踐價值與挑戰。透過對上海晚期癌症患者家庭的實證研究，揭示了儒家家庭本位倫理對醫療決策的影響。孝道、責任與關懷等美德強化了家庭在臨終關懷中的共同參與，體現了情感連結與代際互惠；然而，個人權利意識的崛起與傳統家庭結構的解體，則導致家庭集體決策與病人自主之間持續存在張力。本文旨在透過對儒家家庭倫理的深入探討，為理解和解決當代社會所面臨的倫理挑戰提供有益的參考。

Taking the Confucian “Five Relationships” philosophy as its theoretical foundation, this paper explores the practical value of this philosophy and challenges involving its adaptability to modern medical decision-making. This empirical study involving the families of late-stage cancer patients in Shanghai reveals the impact of Confucian family-oriented ethics on medical decision-making. Virtues such as filial piety, responsibility, and care strengthen families” co-participation in end-of-life care, reflecting emotional bonds and intergenerational reciprocity. However, increasing awareness of individual rights and the disintegration of traditional family structures have led to persistent tension between families’ collective decision-making and patients’ autonomy. This aim of this paper is to provide valuable insights that clarify and address the ethical challenges faced by contemporary society through an in-depth exploration of Confucian family ethics.