The conscience is a challenging and complex concept, especially when applied to the work of a physician. In philosophy, the conscience is a highly contested notion, but it exists in Biblical thinking as an essential part of our humanity – and a reflection of being made in the image of God.
In August 2021 I took part in a webinar for the International Christian Medical and Dental Association exploring how Christian healthcare professionals should understand and use their conscience in their work. You can watch it below:
You can also view and download the slides from my presentation below:
I have also uploaded a few other resources tackling this area of conscientious objection in medicine:
Article: The doctor’s conscience
The doctor who refuses to fit in with the agreed protocol because they have a conscientious objection is seen as problematic
Debate: Your conscience, my health, whose right to refuse?
It’s not obvious how much society should accommodate medical professionals who have moral objections to certain procedures