1,721,166 research outputs found
Why the way we consider the body matters – Reflections on four bioethical perspectives on the human body
Full text linkAbstract Background Within the context of applied bioethical reasoning, various conceptions of the human body are focused upon by the author in relation to normative notions of autonomy. Results The author begins by descriptively exploring some main positions in bioethics from which the "body" is conceptualized. Such positions conflict: the body is that which is constitutive of the individual's experience and perception, or it is conceived of materially or mechanistically; or as a constructed locus, always historically and culturally transformed. The author goes on to suggest a methodological approach that dialectically considers embodiment from four different perspectives: as bodily self-determination, as respect for the bodily unavailability of the other, as care for bodily individuality; and lastly, as acknowledgement of bodily-constituted communities. These four perspectives encompass autonomy in two of its main interpretations: as the capability of a person to act independent of external forces, and as the moral ideal of pursuing individual wishes by means of role distance, self-limitation and universalization. Various bioethical cases are utilized to show how the four perspectives on the body can complement one another. Conclusion The way we consider the body matters. The author's dialectical method allows a premise-critical identification and exploration of bioethical problems concerning the body. The method is potentially applicable to other bioethical problems.</p
Between self- and external interpretation: the mutual relationship between socio-cultural and ethical aspects of advance directives
No full textDefinition of the problem The value which is attached to advance directives by the ethico-legal discourse could be contrasted with the unreadiness of the public to hold such documents. This raises the ethical question whether there are any crucial arguments in favour of composing advance directives. Arguments and Conclusion Of special relevance are issues such as a good life, which focus on desirability and wisdom of such a decision. One could highlight the positive meaning of such documents as instruments of self-interpretation and life-planning by referring to a concept of identity, extended with a sociocultural perspective. But this socio-cultural dimension sensitizes also to new ethical problems, which are induced by interpretation work done by third parties and the critical role of proxies. This identifies an important deficit in recent socio-empirical and in ethical research concerning the problems of interpretation, deliberation and responsibility of proxies
Kollektivität im Gesundheitswesen: Ethische Theorien und Praxisfelder von Gruppen als Akteuren
No full textInterpreting Advance Directives: Ethical Considerations of the Interplay Between Personal and Cultural Identity
No full textIn many industrialized countries ethicists and lawyers favour advance directives as a tool to guarantee patient autonomy in end-of-life-decisions. However, most citizens seem reluctant to adopt the practice; the number of patients who have an advance directive is low across most countries. The article discusses the key argument for seeing such documents as an instrument of self-interpretation and life-planning, which ultimately have to be interpreted by third parties as well. Interpretation by third parties and the process of self-reflection are conceptually linked by a qualitative concept of identity. Identity is conceived here as constructed in a processual dialogue between a personal and a cultural perspective. How the cultural dimension comes into play in understanding the motivation, rejection or content of wished for end-of-life-decisions, is shown by a brief review of empirical and cultural studies. Understanding advance directives as a culturally embedded tool of self-interpretation should help to overcome urgent moral problems in clinical settings: how to interpret such documents, how to deliberate on the content and on the best form
Zum Stellenwert von Betroffenheit, Öffentlichkeit und Deliberation im empirical turn der Medizinethik
No full textDefinition of the problem One important potential of socio-empirical research is the increase of context sensitivity, the detection of social and institutional roles and the positioning of so far silent voices. However, there is a risk that socio-empirical surveys and opinion polls replace deliberation and argumentation. Thus, the participatory turn as recently observed in the social sciences gives reason to reflect upon socio-empirical methods. Arguments A critical reflection with concepts of being affected, the public and expertise is important from a methodological as well from a normative point of view. T his is especially true for any ethical approach that basically shares the importance of argumentative deliberation and democratic rules in a society. Conclusion If bioethics is seen as part of a public discourse the question of adequate representation of specific perspectives and of different views is as important as the justification of specific norms. Both are at least a core request of bioethical reflection
Public moralities concerning donation and disposition of organs: Results from a cross-European study
No full textUnresolved ethical questions of mHealth apps for Alzheimer’s disease prevention
No full textAbstract In recent years, medical research has sparked hope that up to a third of dementia cases could be prevented. This optimism is driven by a shift in the understanding of dementia and, in particular, Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)—from being a rapid-onset brain disease in later life to a condition strongly linked to lifestyle factors, progressing slowly and gradually through asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic, and symptomatic stages with varying degrees of severity. Accompanying this evolving perception, the use of mobile healthcare applications (mHealth apps) based on dementia prevention research has been on the rise. Health policymakers and companies increasingly advocate for these apps. However, concerns remain about the medical quality of such mHealth apps for dementia prevention. Bioethical research has highlighted significant challenges associated with their use. This paper critically examines dementia prevention strategies through the lenses of mHealth technologies. Exploring four mHealth apps for dementia prevention as case studies, we identify and analyze unsolved ethical issues related to primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Hereby we offer a new perspective on familiar ethical dilemmas in dementia prevention, and emphasize the need to examine potentially intensified challenges in the context of digital health in the future in more depth
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