Paweł Siek

Independent ethics in the work of the 21st Century Pharmacist

2025-02-05

Despite the development of detailed sciences that explain many aspects of human existence, human beings are  still searching for the deep rationale behind their choices. ‘Liquid reality’ (Bauman) poses a challenge especially in the ethical aspect. The definition of values has for centuries been determined by religions.

In the 21st century, this factor has diminished its impact on the sphere of human existence and, consequently, on ethics and the choices associated with it. Ethics are desirable and valued, but it is increasingly difficult to find proper justifications for certain norms or values. Statutory law or ethical professional codes provide many solutions, but are unable to provide solutions to the complex situations created by everyday life.

The aim of this article is to present the ethical assumptions of Tadeusz Kotarbinski (1886–1981), a Polish philosopher, ethicist and praxeologist. ‘Kotarbinski’s ‘independent ethics’, with its theoretical background, can provide guidance on how pharmacists should act in their professional life. The entirety of the Professor’s thought focuses on three dimensions: felicitology (the science of happiness), praxeology (the science of efficient action) and ethics (the management of spiritual life), which constitute the totality of human existence and action. The desire to ‘be happy’ is common to every human being, and our actions are directed towards this value. The second factor is to perform efficiently - to do the job as well as possible. It is particularly important in the pharmacists’ work, which demands error-free, vigilant and professional leveling of any mistakes that may have been made. Any mistake or inexpertness can result in fatal consequences for the health or life of the patient. Both of these elements combine with ethics and create its inalienable foundation – the hierarchy of values. What should be the central, most important value? What should a person not bound by any religion or ideology choose? The assumptions indicated by Tadeusz Kotarbiński may be a suggestion for the pharmacists of the 21st century. The article presents the assumptions of ethics, which may indicate a certain direction in solving everyday dilemmas in the work of a pharmacist. The combination of felicitology, praxeology and ethics, with the guiding principle of ‘the good of the patient’, is also a valuable addition to the Code of Ethics to shape a ‘decent’ pharmacist – a person and a professional.

Keywords: Kotarbinski, independent ethics, pharmacist, code of ethics.

© Farm Pol, 2024, 80(9): 591–596