Integrated empirical ethics: Loss of normativity?
Tóm tắt
An important discussion in contemporary ethics concerns the relevance of empirical research for ethics. Specifically, two crucial questions pertain, respectively, to the possibility of inferring normative statements from descriptive statements, and to the danger of a loss of normativity if normative statements should be based on empirical research. Here we take part in the debate and defend integrated empirical ethical research: research in which normative guidelines are established on the basis of empirical research and in which the guidelines are empirically evaluated by focusing on observable consequences. We argue that in our concrete example normative statements are not derived from descriptive statements, but are developed within a process of reflection and dialogue that goes on within a specific praxis. Moreover, we show that the distinction in experience between the desirable and the undesirable precludes relativism. The normative guidelines so developed are both critical and normative: they help in choosing the right action and in evaluating that action. Finally, following Aristotle, we plead for a return to the view that morality and ethics are inherently related to one another, and for an acknowledgment of the fact that moral judgments have their origin in experience which is always related to historical and cultural circumstances.
Tài liệu tham khảo
Arnold, R. and L. Forrow: 1993, ‘Empirical Research in Medical Ethics: An Introduction’, Theoretical Medicine 14, 195–196.
Berghmans, R. and D. Elfahmi et al.: 2001, Kwaliteit van dwang en drang in de psychiatrie. Eindrapport. Utrecht/ Maastricht: GGZ Nederland.
Birnbacher, D.: 1999, ‘Ethics and Social Science: Which Kind of Co-operation?’, Ethical Theory and Moral Practice 4, 319–366.
Braddock, C.: 1994, ‘The Role of Empirical Research in Medical Ethics: Asking Questions or Answering Them?’, The Journal of Clinical Ethics 5(2), 144–147.
Brody, B.: 1993: ‘Assessing Empirical Research in Bioethics’, Theoretical Medicine 14, 211–219.
Crigger, B. 1995, ‘Bioethnography: Fieldwork in the Lands of Medical Ethics’, Medical Anthropology Quarterly 9, 400–417.
DeVries, R. and J. Subedi (eds.): 1998, Bioethics and Society. Constructing the Ethical Enterprise. New York: Prentice Hall.
DeVries, R. and P. Conrad: 1998, ‘Why Bioethics Needs Sociology’, in: R. DeVries and J. Subedi (eds.), Bioethics and Society. Constructing the Ethical Enterprise. New York: Prentice Hall, pp. 233–257.
Hartogh, G. den: 1999, ‘Empirie en theorievorming in de ethiek’, K&M: Tijdschrift voor empirische ethiek 23, 172–177.
Heeger, R.: 1993, ‘What is Meant by “The Turn to Applied Ethics”?’, in: R. Heeger and T. van Willigenburg (eds.), The Turn to Applied Ethics. Practical Consequences for Research, Education, and the Role of Ethicists in Public Debate. Kampen: Kok.
Hoffmaster, B.: 1990, ‘Morality and the Social Sciences’, in: G. Weisz (ed.), Social Science Perspectives on Medical Ethics. Amsterdam: Kluwer Academic Publishers, pp. 241–260.
Hoffmaster, B.: 1992, ‘Can Ethnography Save the Life of Medical Ethics?’, Social Science and Medicine, 35(12), 1421–1431.
Lindemann Nelson, J.: 2000, ‘Moral Teachings from Unexpected Quarters. Lessons for Bioethics from the Social Sciences and Managed Care’, Hastings Center Report 30(1), 12–17.
Manschot, Henk and Marian Verkerk: 1994, Ethiek van de zorg. Een discussie. Amsterdam.
Moody, H.: 1992, Ethics in an Aging Society. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Musschenga, B. and W. van der Steen: 1999, ‘Empirie in de ethiek en empirische ethiek’, K&M: Tijdschrift voor empirische ethiek 23, 155–166.
Musschenga, A.W.: 2000, ‘Empirical Science and Ethical Theory: The Case of Informed Consent’, in: Albert W. Musschenga and Wim J. van der Steen (eds.), Reasoning in Ethics and Law. Avebury: Ashgate, pp. 183–204.
Nussbaum, M.C.: 1986, The Fragility of Goodness. Luck and Ethics in Greek Tragedy and Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Pearlman, Robert A., Steven H. Miles and Robert M. Arnold: 1993, ‘Contributions of Empirical Research to Medical Ethics’, Theoretical Medicine 14, 197–210.
Pellegrino, E.: 1995, ‘The Limitation of Empirical Research in Ethics’, The Journal of Clinical Ethics 6(2), 161–162.
Scheer, Lieke van der: 1999, Ongeregelde moraal. Dewey's ervaringsbegrip als basis voor een nieuwe gezondheidsethiek (Unregulated Morality. Dewey's Concept of Experience as a Basis for Health Care Ethics). Nijmegen: Valkhof Pers.
Scheer, Lieke van der, Ghislaine van Thiel, Johannes van Delden and Guy Widdershoven: 2003, ‘Theory and Methodology of Empirical Ethics’, in: Soren Holm and Monique Jonas (eds.), Engaging the World: The Use of Empirical Research in Bioethics and The Regulation of Biotechnology. The Netherlands: IOS Press, forthcoming.
Tronto, J.: 1993, Moral Boundaries. A Political Argument for an Ethic of Care. London: Routledge.
Weaver, Gary R. and Linda Klebe Trevino: 1994, ‘Normative and Empirical Business Ethics: Seperation, Marriage of Convenience, or Marriage of Necessity?’, Business Ethics Quarterly 4(2), 129–143.
Widdershoven, Guy: 1999, ‘Ethiek en empirisch onderzoek’, K&M: Tijdschrift voor empirische ethiek 23, 145–154.
Widdershoven, Guy: 2000, Ethiek in de kliniek. Amsterdam: Boom.
Widdershoven, Guy: 2000a, ‘Empirische Ethiek: Op sleeptouw bij de medische technologie?’, Tijdschrift voor geneeskunde en ethiek 10(3), 71–82.
Zussman, R.: 2000, ‘The Contributions of Sociology to Medical Ethics’, Hastings Center Report 30(1), 7–11.