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Ethical theory and epidemiology.
1Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057.
Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Navigating endless ethics questions in science requires more than codes or customs. Ethical theory provides essential philosophical reasoning to address complex moral problems and guide conduct.
Area of Science:
- Science and Technology Ethics
- Philosophy of Science
Background:
- Science generates continuous ethical dilemmas regarding responsibilities, rights, and policies.
- Existing codes of ethics and customary practices may not sufficiently justify moral beliefs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the necessity of ethical theory for resolving complex moral problems in science.
- To explain the role of ethical theory in developing moral concepts and providing philosophical justifications.
Main Methods:
- Philosophical analysis of moral reasoning in scientific contexts.
- Comparison of moral reasoning to legal reasoning for justification of conduct.
Main Results:
- Ethical theory offers a structured approach to moral problems, analogous to legal reasoning.
- It provides a framework for explaining, augmenting, and criticizing social morality rules.
Conclusions:
- Ethical theory is a valuable tool for addressing contemporary moral concerns in science.
- It is not a complete solution but a crucial ally in ethical problem-solving.