There Are Different Kinds of Ethics. the Term 'Bioethics'

There are different kinds of ethics. Similarly, science cannot determine what belief, not empirically verified fact. Such moral obligations are called forth by the beliefs - usually implicit rather than explicit - The term 'bioethics' is frequently used as if it existence of a human individual. Its correct direct the course of ethical discussion. denotes a single ethical system. In fact, and limited role is to provide factual data bioethics is simply a branch of ethics, and Bioethicists working from (a) would have which philosophers and ethicists incorporate the term is frequently used as an imprecise little objection to substituting persistently into their deliberations. label for a range of ethical theories in unconscious human subjects for animals in medicine and medical research. Thus, the Secular ethics are based on belief. experimental research. Those who accept (b) title 'bioethicist' is not much more would be more inclined to object. Finally, Some bioethicists claim that they offer a descriptive than 'religious believer'. Ethical bioethicists who do not believe in 'purpose' 'neutral' ethical vision because their differences between one theory of bioethics beyond filling an ecological niche would approach is based on 'secular principles', not and another may be quite as dramatic as dismiss the discussion as wrong-headed. religious belief. This argument trades on the doctrinal differences between religions. erroneous notion that what is secular is Reasoning from different beliefs about what This is illustrated by the different ethical unencumbered by metaphysical or moral man is and what is good for him leads to views of non-therapeutic experimentation on presuppositions. On the contrary: all ethical different notions of right and wrong, and human embryos, freezing and cloning of systems - including secular ethics - establish ultimately to different ethical conclusions. human embryos, and in vitro fertilization. moral norms by asserting that some actions Establishment bioethics. While the Catholic Church's Instruction on are right and others wrong. Bioethics proscribes all of these procedures, Problems for ethical minorities arise when To discuss the ethics of euthanasia, for and some non-Catholic and even non- one version of bioethics becomes example, is to ask whether euthanasia is religious bioethicists agree with this predominant, and its practitioners attain right or wrong. This question cannot be judgement, others disagree. positions of influence and power in decided without defining right and wrong, or government, academic and professional An astute practitioner, confronted with what dismissing the very concept as irrelevant or circles. In practical matters, establishment is said to be a bioethics norm, will probe erroneous. ethicists are prone to dismiss the approach further to seek the root of the norm, alert to In fact, secularists are believers, and their of any ethical system that does not conform spurious arguments. ethical systems are based on their beliefs. to the predominant 'consensus'. However, Science cannot mediate ethical claims. They believe that human dignity exists, that their 'consensus building' includes only those all men are equal, that human life is worthy participants willing to accept the False claims of superiority are sometimes of respect, etc. These are first principles establishment’s fundamental made by bioethicists who assert that their that must be accepted 'on faith', not facts presuppositions. The result is simply the conclusions are incontrovertible because established by scientific study. majority opinion of like-minded individuals, they are 'scientific'. Closer examination of not a genuine ethical synthesis reflecting these claims reveals considerable confusion Anthropology counts. common ground with those who think about the boundaries between science and Consider two different statements: differently. belief, a confusion often evident in discussions involving the beginning of life. (a) man is a creature whose purpose for Typically, establishment bioethicists do not existence depends upon his ability to think, explain this when consulted by public or For example, science establishes that a choose and communicate; professional bodies about ethical questions. genetically distinct human individual begins Indeed, they may fail to acknowledge even to exist at fertilization. But science cannot b) man is a creature for whom intellect, the existence of other ethical systems. This establish that this individual is a human choice and communication are attributes of may be the result of ignorance, since many person; that is a philosophical question, and existence, but do not establish his purpose people identified as 'ethicists' (especially science is not competent to decide for existence. members of professional ethics committees) philosophical questions. Statements (a) and (b) express non-religious have had only rudimentary instruction in ethics. Other pamphlets available from the Project website: Establishment intolerance. Talking About Ethics: The hegemony of establishment bioethics too often generates intolerance of those who live • The Problem of Complicity by other ethical standards. Such intolerance • Conscientious Objection: Resisting leads to demands that people participate in Ethical Aggression in Medicine procedures or services they find morally abhorrent, and to talk of excluding ethical Issues of Conscience minorities from education and employment - • Referral: A False Compromise even in countries that preach loudly about human rights and accommodation of diverse • Clearing Rhetorical Minefields: TALKING ABOUT ETHICS beliefs. Abortifacient vs. Contraceptive Indeed, insistence upon uniformity - not Protection of Conscience Laws accommodation - appears to be the primary • Questions and Answers policy of those in power, and establishment bioethicists are prone to call upon state and Establishment Bioethics professional authorities to enforce the ethical uniformity they are unable to secure by persuasive argument. And when challenged to demonstrate the superiority of the ethical system they want to impose upon dissenters, to justify its faith-assumptions and its anthropology, these authorities are - frequently - silent. Instead of dialogue, one is met with strategy: stonewalling, the assertion of legal authority, and the raw exercise of power. This is "the establishment": good people, by This pamphlet is drawn from an essay on the and large, faithful to the reigning orthodoxy, Project website. The full text of the essay sincere in their dogmatism, but unable or and this pamphlet may be downloaded and unwilling to articulate the hidden faith they copied for distribution. seek to impose on others.

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