The Beginning of Human Life as an Ethical Problem

Dignity language is used on both sides of debates surrounding assisted suicide and abortion. This chapter asks, first, whether these current uses of dignity add anything to these debates that is not reducible to other concepts or principles, and, second, whether discussion of dignity can help create a practical consensus between positions which have hitherto been irreconcilable. In both contexts dignity may seem to add little to considerations of autonomy (‘dignity as liberty’) and respect for human life (‘dignity as life’). However, considering human dignity helps disclose both the emotional attraction of assisted suicide and a deeper ethical problem with this proposal. In relation to abortion, dignity may spark discussion around the edges of the policy debates, but without agreement as to the central question of the status of the ‘disputed other’, that is, the foetus or unborn child, the deeper disagreement will remain.

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Capitalism, Colonialism, and the War on Human Life

Historical Materialism ◽

10.1163/1569206x-00001518 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 253-268

Author(s):

Jeff Noonan

Keyword(s):

Political Economy ◽

Human Life ◽

Ethical Problem ◽

Western Philosophy ◽

Important Distinction ◽

Affirmation Of Life ◽

Novel Material ◽

History Of ◽

Ethical Norms ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Dussel’s complex work calls into question the standard history of philosophy, reveals a counter-history at work beneath the official history that gives voice to the victims of capitalism and colonialism, and systematically develops a novel ‘material ethics’ grounded in an unqualified, universal affirmation of life as the foundation of liberatory values. The Ethics of Liberation brings together the major problems explored in Dussel’s prolific body of earlier work: the relationship between Western philosophy and the expansion of European society; the relationship between centre and periphery in global political economy, considered as both a philosophical and an ethical problem; the ethical interpretation of Marxism; the politics of liberation in the colonial context; the defence of universal foundations of ethical norms; and the (all-important) distinction between formal and critical ethics.

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Ethical problems in the nurses action in the beginning of life

Clinical Ethics ◽

10.1177/14777509211061847 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 147775092110618

Author(s):

Sandra Paço ◽

Sérgio Deodato

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Human Life ◽

Ethical Problem ◽

Qualitative Approach ◽

Social Recognition ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Ethical Problems ◽

In The Beginning ◽

Descriptive Method ◽

Early Human

Introduction The act of caring in nursing requires previous deliberation and decision, however this perception only arises when an ethical problem emerges. Objective: Identify ethical problems of nurses action in the area of beginning of human life Method: Exploratory and descriptive method, with a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data, who were submitted to content analysis. The sample was constituted by 26 nurses. Results 18 categories of problem areas and 56 ethical problems in early human life were identified. The results obtained are very diverse, including areas such as termination of pregnancy, informed consent or maintaining privacy. However, other problem areas also emerge and numerous new subcategories/ethical problems, including: dealing with miscarriage, extreme situations, minors’ pregnancy, serious malformations detected at birth, consent regarding care during childbirth, Non- identification of a ethical problem, nurse social recognition and non-involvement of the person in labour. Conclusion Nurses face different ethical problems that impact their lives. We intend to contribute in helping to make decisions in this field, which the outset is of hope and joy, but which hides, behind this evidence, countless situations of suffering for everyone involved. The identification of ethical problems in this field, it is the first step to reflect about theme and helping decision-making for nurses that are taking care in this area of beginning of human life, when confronted whit the same type of ethical problems.

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Il rispetto della vita umana nelle tecniche di fecondazione artificiale

Medicina e Morale ◽

10.4081/mem.2013.82 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 62 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Justo Aznar

Keyword(s):

Human Life ◽

Ethical Problem ◽

Sono State ◽

In Vitro Fertilisation ◽

Human Embryos ◽

Moral Problem ◽

Baby Girl ◽

Secondary Loss ◽

Loving Relationship

Le tecniche di fecondazione in vitro (FIV) non producono solo la vita ma anche la morte. Anche se il problema morale principale per quanto riguarda l’uso della FIV è quello di originare la vita umana al di fuori della relazione d’amore tra i coniugi, un altro grave problema etico è la conseguente perdita di embrioni umani. Possiamo affermare che dal 1978, anno di nascita della prima bambina concepita in vitro, in tutto il mondo oltre 120 milioni di vite umane sono state perse come conseguenza dell’uso delle tecniche di FIV. ---------- The in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) tecnique not only produces life but also death. Although the main moral problem regarding IVF treatment is that it originates human life outside the loving relationship between spouses; another severe ethical problem is the secondary loss of human embryos. We can state that since 1978, birth of the first IVF baby girl, over 120 million of human lives have been lost worldwide as a consequence of IVF treatment.

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Wars of National Liberation: The Methodology of Christian Ethics II

Worldview ◽

10.1017/s0084255900006707 ◽

1966 ◽

Vol 9 (7-8) ◽

pp. 15-19

Author(s):

Theodore R. Weber

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Human Life ◽

Ethical Problem ◽

The United States ◽

Christian Ethics ◽

Basic Question ◽

National Liberation ◽

United States Policy ◽

National Power ◽

Morality Of War

The primary ethical problem for United States policy in regard to “wars of national liberation” is that of intervention, not war. To be sure, the morality of war must be faced together with the morality of intervention. But the basic question for the intervention is not whether morally it may use force and take human life, but whether morally it may exercise power where it has no authority. By what right does the United States seek to influence the relationships, structures, and focus of authority of another political entity—or evert of a nonentity in process of becoming an entity?Justifiable intervention is an admissible—although limited—concept except to those persons who reject every unilateral use of national power, and to those who take an absolutistic stand in favor of the principle of non-intervention (and that stand also requires an ethical defense).

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Biosecurity: tools, behaviours and concepts

Emerging Topics in Life Sciences ◽

10.1042/etls20200343 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (5) ◽

pp. 449-452

Author(s):

Alan MacLeod ◽

Nicola Spence

Keyword(s):

Plant Protection ◽

Human Life ◽

Animal Health ◽

Early Warning Systems ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Recent Developments ◽

Surveillance Programs ◽

Harmful Organisms ◽

The One ◽

Biosecurity Practices

COVID 19 has raised the profile of biosecurity. However, biosecurity is not only about protecting human life. This issue brings together mini-reviews examining recent developments and thinking around some of the tools, behaviours and concepts around biosecurity. They illustrate the multi-disciplinary nature of the subject, demonstrating the interface between research and policy. Biosecurity practices aim to prevent the spread of harmful organisms; recognising that 2020 is the International Year of Plant Health, several focus on plant biosecurity although invasive species and animal health concerns are also captured. The reviews show progress in developing early warning systems and that plant protection organisations are increasingly using tools that compare multiple pest threats to prioritise responses. The bespoke modelling of threats can inform risk management responses and synergies between meteorology and biosecurity provide opportunities for increased collaboration. There is scope to develop more generic models, increasing their accessibility to policy makers. Recent research can improve pest surveillance programs accounting for real-world constraints. Social science examining individual farmer behaviours has informed biosecurity policy; taking a broader socio-cultural approach to better understand farming networks has the potential to change behaviours in a new way. When encouraging public recreationists to adopt positive biosecurity behaviours communications must align with their values. Bringing together the human, animal, plant and environmental health sectors to address biosecurity risks in a common and systematic manner within the One Biosecurity concept can be achieved through multi-disciplinary working involving the life, physical and social sciences with the support of legislative bodies and the public.

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