Dignity and the Founding Myth of Bioethics

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Moral Philosophy

Background:

• Principlism, a dominant framework in bioethics by Beauchamp and Childress, is critiqued.
• The historical and philosophical underpinnings of bioethics are re-examined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To challenge the primacy of principlism in bioethics.
• To establish respect for autonomy as the fundamental value in bioethics.
• To offer a revised understanding of respect for autonomy.

Main Methods:

• Genealogical reconstruction of bioethics' "founding myth."
• Philosophical analysis of the relationship between dignity and autonomy.
• Critique of principlism's interpretation of autonomy.

Main Results:

• Principlism is shown to misinterpret respect for autonomy, preventing it from being a central principle.
• A revised understanding of respect for autonomy is proposed.
• The proposed understanding supports autonomy's fundamental role.

Conclusions:

• Respect for autonomy, grounded in human dignity, should be the foundational value of bioethics.
• A more charitable and central role for autonomy in bioethics is advocated.
• The implications of prioritizing autonomy are explored for bioethical practice.