Naslov
The necessity of respecting cultural diversity in bioethics

Autori
Kelam, Ivica

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, ostalo

Skup
World Bioethics Day 2019

Mjesto i datum
Atena, Grčka, 18.10.2019

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Plenarno

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
bioethics, respect, culture, diversity

Sažetak
In paper I reflect on the relation between cultural diversity and bioethics briefly, and the controversy surrounding this relationship. According to some authors, the bioethical turn towards culture seems motivated by at least two factors. The first factor is dissatisfaction with Western philosophical approaches to bioethical dilemmas. Koenig and Marshall (2003, p. 215) thus claim that „simplistic application of ethical universals to particular cases discounts the complexity of lived experience and real-world dilemmas“ and argue for the „anthropologically grounded framework for bioethics“ which „requires a solid recognition of the cultural assumptions that underlie our definition of the „good“ in the biomedicine.“ Brody (1997, p. 277) is similarly worried about the possibility that bioethical principles like autonomy, beneficence, non- maleficence, and justice reflect Western (in particular American) cultural biases, which is why he emphasizes the need to take „cultural beliefs and practices of different countries more seriously.“ The second factor is the expectation that taking other cultural traditions seriously will somehow enrich bioethics and enhance its decision-making capacities. Thus Callahan (2003, p. 281) sees „cultural bioethics“ as the „effort systematically to relate bioethics to the historical, ideological, cultural, and social context in which it is expressed“, stressing that its insights and analysis „can help everyone to a better understanding of the larger cultural and social dynamic that underlies the ethical problems.“ In their discussion of the connection between bioethics and culture, Carese and Sugarman (2006, p. 1870) claim that culturally influenced (possibly even determined) values, preferences and perspectives are „critically relevant to bioethics“, and „approaching cultural differences with sensitivity and skill can lead to better understanding and better outcomes“ and they sympathize with the „cultural humility“ view which „requires an open and respectful attitude toward diversity“ and „recognizes the legitimacy of alternative ways of thinking and being.“ As is evident from the opinions of these authors, bioethics should also respect and include different cultural perspectives in the decision- making process. Which brings us to the next question. What is culture? It is challenging to accurately define culture, as evidenced by the fact that researchers have until now counted about 450 different definitions of culture. This dispersion of the definition of culture is a precondition for diversity embodied in the uniqueness and multiplicity of identities and cultural expressions of the societies and communities that make up humanity. Critics of introducing cultural diversity into the field of bioethics argue that „respect for cultural diversity, “ is „untenable and misleading, “ and poses „a series of conceptual and empirical constraints“ to bioethics discourse. Bracanovic believes that the „cultural turn“ in bioethics „ignores the typically normative role of bioethics and thus threatens to undermine its very foundations.“ Like Ten Have, Bracanovic supports the universalist approach to bioethics. The universalist approach that Bracanovic and others advocate sees no value in the immense treasure that lies in the heritage of the cultural diversity of all humanity. The future of bioethics lies precisely in the appreciation and acceptance of all perspectives, not only scientific but also cultural, religious, and others. This is precisely what reflects the innovative concept of integrative bioethics originated in Croatia and Germany, which advocates pluriperspectivism as a principle that enables reconciliation of cultural diversity and bioethics. In conclusion, I would like to point out that with the help of pluriperspectivism, it is possible to take a step towards a global bioethics that will be rooted in local cultures as well, and thus be able to offer orientational knowledge that will help us make decisions in stressful situations.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Integrativna bioetika (prirodne, tehničke, biomedicina i zdravstvo, biotehničke, društvene, humanističke znanosti)

POVEZANOST RADA