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Constructing critical bioethics by deconstructing culture/nature dualism
1Institute for Environment, Philosophy and Public Policy IEPPP & ESRC Centre for the Economic and Social Aspects of Genomics CESA Gen, Lancaster University, UK. r.twine@lancaster.ac.uk
Medicine, Health Care, and Philosophy
|November 12, 2005
Summary
This paper introduces critical bioethics, emphasizing interdisciplinarity and self-reflexivity to challenge dualisms and avoid uncritical complicity. This framework addresses critiques of bioethics being too close to science or commercially captured.
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.