Moral Competence, Religiosity, and Spirituality

Abstract

Context: There is a relationship between religiosity and spirituality (SR) in moral decision-making, which refers to competence. Objectives: understanding the influence and historic relationship between SR and moral, specifically with medical students. Results: (a) There is a relationship between S-R and morality in different epistemological approaches and in etymological notions. (b) Does spirituality assist in moral judgment decisions and answer questions beyond the moral scope, such as why do good? (c) There is a moral segmentation in medical students due to religious beliefs. Final remarks: (a) Spirituality possesses a disposition for moral competence in ethical-moral reflections, which results in autonomy. (b) Religiosity is associated with morality in customs and norms that may reduce moral competence. (c) Spirituality is a mediator between religious and moral and scientific issues and an educational resource, in the construction of a comprehensive view in moral and social experiences of medical training, as a way of living, in decision-making regarding the state of health and disease, and dealing with moral conflicts between religious issues and health.