| The Irrational Patient Argument | |||
| 1 | Telling the truth to a patient may cause the patient to become irrational and engage in self-destructive behavior. | ||
| 2 | If telling the truth to a patient may cause the patient to become irrational and engage in self-destructive behavior, then it is morally permissible for physicians to not tell the truth. | ||
| ∴ | 3 | It is morally permissible for physicians to not tell the truth. | 1&2 |
| The Placebo Argument | |||
| 1 | Placebos necessarily involve deception | ||
| 2 | Placebos are among the most powerful agents in medicine. | ||
| 3 | If [1 and 2] then it is in the best interests of the patient to not be told the truth. | ||
| 4 | If it is in the best interests of the patient to not be told the truth then it is morally permissible for physicians to not tell the truth. | ||
| ∴ | 5 | If [1 and 2] then it is morally permissible for physicians to not tell the truth. | 3&4 |
| ∴ | 6 | It is morally permissible for physicians to not tell the truth. | 1,2&5 |