Bioethics in a pluralistic society: bioethical methodology in lieu of moral diversity.
In an attempt to promote in-depth dialogue amongst bioethicists coming from distinct disciplinary and religious backgrounds this essay offers a critical analysis of a number of the leading methods of addressing pluralism in bioethics and. Exploring the critiques and methodological proposals coming from the social sciences, the contract theorists, and the pragmatists, this study describes the problems which arise when confronting moral diversity in a bioethical context and examines the ability of these various methodologies to adequately resolve these matters. Finally, the foundations of a new conceptual framework for bioethical methodology will be developed. It will be argued that these new methodological insights are able to overcome the problems facing other methodologies and may provide a viable means for adequately addressing issues of pluralism in bioethics.
Durante
Chris
C
Faculty of Religious Studies, McGill University, Birks Building, 3520 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2A7. c.durante@hotmail.com
D026688:Bioethical Issues; D001675:Bioethics; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D028663:Ethical Theory; D026822:Ethicists; D005610:Freedom; D006801:Humans; D009014:Morals; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D012931:Social Environment; D012945:Social Values