Journals / Türkiye Biyoetik Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 13 Sayı: 3

Evaluation of the Teleological Ethical Approach in Clinical Settings

Klinik Ortamlarda Teleolojik Etik Yaklaşımın Değerlendirilmesi

Ahmet Topcu(Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü Hemşirelik Anabilim Dalı (Doktora Öğrencisi))0000-0003-1398-9930
Pages
220–228
Publication Date
2026-09-29
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

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⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Therefore, it was concluded that the teleological approach should be evaluated together with other ethical principles and approaches in clinical ethics practice.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Decision-making processes in clinical ethics often require the simultaneous evaluation of benefits and harms.
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Key Findings & Data:In this context, normative ethical approaches play an important role in the ethical justification of clinical decisions.
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Conclusion & Impact:Therefore, it was concluded that the teleological approach should be evaluated together with other ethical principles and approaches in clinical ethics practice.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Klinik etik · teleolojik etik · sonuçsalcılık

Abstract

Decision-making processes in clinical ethics often require the simultaneous evaluation of benefits and harms. In this context, normative ethical approaches play an important role in the ethical justification of clinical decisions. The teleological ethical approach, which evaluates the moral value of actions based on their outcomes, has become particularly prominent in clinical situations where benefit–harm analyses are at the forefront. The aim of this review is to examine the teleological ethical approach within the context of clinical ethics through its theoretical foundations and to evaluate its contribution to clinical decision-making processes in terms of the balance between benefits and harms. In this context, the fundamental characteristics of the teleological ethical approach were first explained, followed by an evaluation of the subjective and objective dimensions of the Hippocratic concept of beneficence. In addition, the Benthamite net benefit approach, the approach based on comparing benefit–harm ratios, and the approach prioritizing nonmaleficence were discussed through clinical cases. As a result of the review, it was determined that the teleological ethical approach provides a systematic framework for clinical decision-making processes; however, focusing solely on outcomes may lead to ethical dimensions such as patient autonomy, individual rights, and professional obligations being overlooked. Therefore, it was concluded that the teleological approach should be evaluated together with other ethical principles and approaches in clinical ethics practice. This review is thought to contribute to a more comprehensive evaluation of benefit–harm assessments in clinical decision-making processes.

Özet

Klinik etik uygulamalarında karar verme süreçleri çoğu zaman yararların ve zararların birlikte değerlendirilmesini gerektirmektedir. Bu süreçte normatif etik yaklaşımlar, klinik kararların etik açıdan temellendirilmesinde önemli bir rol oynamaktadır. Teleolojik etik yaklaşımı, eylemlerin ahlaki değerini ortaya çıkardıkları sonuçlar üzerinden değerlendirmesi nedeniyle özellikle yarar-zarar analizlerinin ön planda olduğu klinik durumlarda sıkça başvurulan bir yaklaşım olarak öne çıkmaktadır. Bu derlemenin amacı, teleolojik etik yaklaşımını, klinik etik bağlamında kuramsal temelleriyle ele almak ve klinik karar verme süreçlerine olan katkısını yarar-zarar dengesi çerçevesinde incelemektir. Bu kapsamda öncelikle teleolojik etik yaklaşımın temel özellikleri açıklanmış, ardından Hipokratçı fayda anlayışının öznel ve nesnel boyutları değerlendirilmiştir. Ayrıca yarar-zararın dengelenmesine yönelik Benthamcı net fayda yaklaşımı, yarar-zarar oranlarının karşılaştırılmasına dayalı yaklaşım ve zarar vermemenin önceliğine dayalı yaklaşım klinik vakalar eşliğinde tartışılmıştır. Derleme sonucunda, teleolojik etik yaklaşımın klinik karar verme süreçlerinde sistematik bir değerlendirme çerçevesi sunduğu; ancak yalnızca sonuçlara odaklanmasının hasta özerkliği, bireysel haklar ve mesleki yükümlülükler gibi etik boyutların geri planda kalmasına neden olabileceği görülmüştür. Bu nedenle klinik etik uygulamalarında teleolojik yaklaşımın diğer etik ilkeler ve yaklaşımlarla birlikte değerlendirilmesi gerektiği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Çalışmanın, klinisyenlerin yarar-zarar değerlendirmelerini daha bütüncül biçimde ele almalarına katkı sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir.

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Cite This Article

Topcu, A. (2026). Evaluation of the Teleological Ethical Approach in Clinical Settings. Türkiye Biyoetik Dergisi, Cilt: 13 Sayı: 3, 220–228. https://doi.org/10.67613/turbietderg.1887699

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