Promoting freedom of choice in decision-making aligns with which ethical principle?

Promoting freedom of choice in decision-making aligns with the principle of autonomy, which emphasizes the right of individuals to make informed decisions about their own lives and actions. Autonomy is a foundational ethical principle that recognizes and respects an individual’s capacity for self-determination, allowing them to make choices that reflect their values, beliefs, and preferences. By prioritizing autonomy, healthcare professionals and others encourage clients and individuals to engage actively in their own care and decision-making processes, fostering a sense of ownership over their choices and promoting personal empowerment.

In contrast, the other principles like justice focus on fairness and equitable distribution of resources, beneficence centers on promoting well-being and acting in the best interest of others, and nonmaleficence stresses the obligation to avoid causing harm. While these principles are also important in ethical practice, they do not specifically address the element of individual choice that is central to autonomy.