Abstract

The four-principles-approach of Tom Beauchamp and Jim Childress has been very influential in bioethics in the last decades. It has proven well although mid-level principles in general and this approach in particular are highly contested by ethicists who would prefer approaches rather based on rules, virtues or personal relations. The author of this study systematically discusses the origin, method and criticism of the Beauchamp and Childress approach. Finally he argues that the applicability of this approach for ethical challenges in the biomedical setting should stimulate a principled approach for ethical challenges of public health as well. Such an approach can utilize the method from Beauchamp and Childress. Principles for public health ethics, as presented in a concise set by the author, however, must be different in scope and content to meet the ethical challenges of public health