The Maqasid-Based Medical Decision Making: Its Philosophy And Framework

Abstract

The investigation on decision theory, over the course of last few decades, has afforded constructive
findings, profound insights, and practical prescriptions on this topic. The discussion on the matter has
posted fundamental questions about the rational bases, standards, and effective techniques for optimal
choice that influence the decision making in various fields of the practical life, ranging from public
administration, law and economic, to medicine. This paper aims to investigate contribution of Maqasid
theory in medical decision making. It presupposes that Maqasid al-Shariah, i.e., the terminal goals of
Islamic law, can play an important role in optimizing the medical decision, at both medical research and
clinical practice. To investigate this central presupposition the paper analyzes, in three basic sections,
fundamentals of the general theory of decision making, tools and techniques for optimal decision making,
and the framework of Maqasid-based medical decision. The paper has concluded that although the Maqasid
theory was designed and developed for the legal decision making, nevertheless its principles are applicable
to all modes of decision making. Through analyzing modes of human needs and hierarchies of interest
(Maslaha), Maqasid theory provides the ethico-legal framework for optimum medical decision.
Keywords: Decision theory, maqasid al-shariah, techniques of optimum decision, needs theory, al-Shatibi.