Collective Responsibility for Indigenous Health: A Philosophical Inquiry

The improvement of Indigenous people’s health and the closing of the gap with non-Indigenous peoples is a collective responsibility of a society, drawing from various philosophical perspectives. Bentham’s utilitarianism will prioritise actions that maximise overall health outcomes via allocating resources and interventions in a way that produces the greatest overall benefit for the largest number of people, which could be at the expense of minority groups, such as Indigenous people. Kant’s philosophy of moral duty and categorical imperative recognise the inherent worth and dignity of every individual. The principle is treating people as ends in themselves, rather than mere means to an end. It calls for respecting Indigenous autonomy, cultural values, and right to self-determination in healthcare decision-making. Aristotle’s virtue ethics focuses on the cultivation of virtuous character and the pursuit of the common good. The society’s virtues include social justice, compassion and solidarity. Michael Sandel’s moral reasoning reinforces the idea of collective responsibility for Indigenous health by highlighting the importance of social justice. A just society, according to Sandel, ensures fair distribution of goods and services, including healthcare, and actively works to rectify inequities.