The future of bioethics: three dogmas and a cup of hemlock.
In this paper I argue that bioethics is in crisis and that it will not have a future unless it begins to embrace a more Socratic approach to its leading assumptions. The absence of a critical and sceptical spirit has resulted in little more than a dominant ideology. I focus on three key issues. First, that too often bioethics collapses into medical ethics. Second, that medical ethics itself is beset by a lack of self-reflection that I characterize here as a commitment to three dogmas. Third, I offer a more positive perspective by suggesting how bioethics may benefit from looking towards public health ethics as a new source of inspiration and direction.
Dawson
Angus
A
Centre for Professional Ethics, Staffordshire, Keele University, UK. a.j.dawson@keele.ac.uk
D001675:Bioethics / Q000639:trends*; D034462:Dissent and Disputes; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D028681:Moral Obligations; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010684:Philosophy; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations / Q000941:ethics; D011634:Public Health / Q000941:ethics / Q000639:trends