Constructing critical bioethics by deconstructing culture/nature dualism

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Philosophy of Science
• Environmental Ethics

Background:

• Bioethics faces criticism for commercial capture and excessive closeness to science.
• Existing bioethical frameworks often maintain a culture/nature dualism.
• This dualism separates medical ethics from ecological and animal ethics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a framework for "critical bioethics" as a response to current criticisms.
• To define critical bioethics through interdisciplinarity, self-reflexivity, and avoidance of uncritical complicity.
• To challenge the culture/nature dualism within bioethics.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis and philosophical argumentation.
• Reclamation of V.R. Potter's ideas on bioethics.
• Critique of the distinction between medical and ecological ethics.

Main Results:

• A triadic definition of critical bioethics is presented.
• Challenging the "bio" in bioethics integrates environmental and animal ethics.
• The proposed framework aims to mitigate critiques of commercial capture and scientific overreach.

Conclusions:

• Critical bioethics offers a robust alternative to traditional approaches.
• Interdisciplinarity and self-reflexivity are key to a more responsible bioethics.
• Moving beyond dualisms strengthens the ethical scope of bioethics.