The Premise of Professionalism in Contractualism

Abstract

While agreeing with the target article’s argument that South Korea’s essential healthcare crisis should be addressed through a reinvigoration of medical professionalism, this commentary suggests that professionalism should be seen through the lens of Scanlon’s contractualism. Distinguishing between social contract theory (contractarianism) and contractualism, this commentary argues that while the former arises from mutual benefits, the latter emphasizes moral equality and the duty to justify oneself to others. From the perspective of contractualism, medical professionals are not simply benefit-seekers in a social contract, but rather morally driven individuals who seek principles “that no one could reasonably reject.” Through specific examples, such as the legislation concerning CCTV cameras in surgical rooms, this commentary demonstrates the potential of a contractualist approach to break the impasse in traditional debates about medical professionalism by shifting the focus from individual benefits to collectively acceptable principles. Ultimately, it is argued that a contractualist perspective on medical professionalism offers a novel way to empower medical professionals and engage society, one that emphasizes shared responsibility and the reason-giving force intrinsic to this approach.