Moral Reasoning and Development in Medical School: A Literature Review

Morality is the system of values and standards that provide the ethical foundation for individuals in differentiating between what is right and wrong. The thought process through which individuals apply moral principles in deciding what is morally acceptable or unacceptable is known as moral reasoning. Moral development, on the other hand, is a framework through which individuals internalize and foster their morality and moral reasoning over time. T his review paper explores the moral reasoning and development of medical students during their journey in medical school, and the potential impact of the medical and ethical curricula on moral reasoning. The literature supports the finding that there is a form of moral stagnation and even regression that medical students experience as they progress through their medical training. This regression has been attributed to legalistic oriented ethical education in medical school that does not encourage critical thinking or moral discussion, the decreased emphasis on developing strong reflection skills, and the hidden curriculum that provides values that are often opposite to the ones taught in the formal curriculum.