ABSTRACT
Some collectives, such as commercial businesses, have well-defined identities and decision-making procedures whereas others are more loosely united by common values and aims. Collectives of both types exert considerable influence on the individuals who work within them, but the influence is causal. Moral responsibility remains with individuals. Hospitals are examples of the first sort of collective and the group values and traditions of medicine exemplify the second sort. Despite the considerable causal influence of each type of collective health care professionals remain individually responsible for their decisions.
