scholarly journals Transformation of the subject in bioethics: From an autonomous person to cosmopolitan

Author(s):  
Boris S. Solozhenkin ◽  

The purpose of the article is to trace the development of the idea of subjectivity in bioethics, starting from the level assumed by the prevailing model of personal autonomy up to the cosmopolitan dimension innate to the global model proposed by Van Rensselaer Potter. In the article, autonomy is considered in the more general context of the individualization of Western societies. It is revealed that autonomy is inherently dependent on the idea of human well-being and the values of individualism and therefore it can be reduced to individual decisions. This devaluation of personal autonomy finds justifiable criticism among bioethicists. The concept of the subject is restored in the frame of the substantive model of autonomy indicating the inextricable connection of a choice and a common personal perspective. Such an individualistic approach to the subject is initially limited. Being concentrated on the behavior of a rational individual, the approach localizes all relevant ethical cases. In the modern world, global problem intersect with each other they cease to be noticed and moreover become intimatized due to their individualistic description. This approach to the subject is thus inadequate and needs to be replaced. For this purpose, the difference between the two traditions within bioethics must be overcome: an autonomous person and cosmopolitan remain the two significant models of subjectivity, and the bridge between them has never been built. The article explores the possibility of such a transition to a cosmopolitan position on the classic example from The Phenomenology of Spirit. It can be concluded that the current position of the theory of the subject is tenuous on both flanks of bioethics. When it loses the message of subjectivity and becomes a servant of the technological approach, we get just another version of medical ethics and lose the long-term perspective appropriate for the cosmopolitan world.

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Ivan Uher ◽  
Jaroslaw Cholewa ◽  
Marcin Kunicki ◽  
Milena Švedová ◽  
Iveta Cimboláková ◽  
...  

In recent years, allopathy (ALP) and naturopathy (NAP) have become a favorite topic, source of argument, and the subject discussed when it comes to choosing treatment modality. Various attempts have been made to elucidate this issue, yet limited advancement has been achieved. To this day, the dispute remains active, and the debate over what to do about it continues to damnify us. The presented qualitative analysis aims to identify existing views or else expand on or uncover already known differences. Ourexamination or position is not about the conflict, finding a superior method (ALP vs. NAP), but aims at inductive reasoning, making broader generalizations from scientific observations. Subjects and Methods. We explore the philosophical and psychological foundation of the prevailing ideologies and perspectives in the contemporary society using the Straussian grounded theory approach. The study had no subjects. Results. We outline the path for the future direction. Conclusion. Our examination concludes that it is essential to acknowledge not only the difference between ALP and NAP but also how they both act on our health. We emphasize that, by identifying our perspective, our inner reflection, and our view on this topic, we can undertake a new paradigm, new road to improve our health, and perhaps the well-being throughout our culture and society.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Rubba ◽  
M S Scamardo ◽  
F Di Mauro ◽  
R Egidio ◽  
P Avati ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Italy is a veritable bridge to the Mediterranean that peoples, civilizations and cultures pass through. The exchange, confrontation and interaction are key element that could lead to greater well-being of the communities. The project called: “If the dolphin come to help: Education and Health drive the orientation path for transversal competences toward reception and integration with the aim to promote the educational development and cultural growth of students and, at the same time, to provide schools with the opportunity to enhance their educational offerings. Methods The geographical position leads our country to a particularly heavy task: to provide in a timely and appropriate way for the reception and livelihood of a very large number of people. Question assessed were.” Who are the migrants and what happens when they land in Italy? Where are they detained and for how long? What are the reception services that take care of migrants? The first step was to clarify the subject starting from the difference between asylum seekers, refugee, beneficiary of humanitarian protection / applicants for international protection, illegal immigrant, going through the process of entry in Italy at one of the four hotspots. The students worked in 3 groups creating one short story. The second step it was to encourage students, through the role playing tool, to reflect on what it feels like to be a migrant and what feelings you feel in front of a migrant. The third step was to ask to the student to describe with only one word the feelings. Results The stories were synthesized in a word cloud, through a string analysis algorithm in which the semantic fields of integration, acceptance and empathy prevailed. Immigration is perceived not as a problem but as a resource Conclusions Educational and health projects shared with high schools may be a useful tool to promote integration, acceptance and social cohesion beyond the limits of fear. Key messages Immigration today in our country is a very complex subject that is difficult to address in a few lines. Italy is on the route of the migratory flows of Africa and the Middle East. The project may be a trigger to create a place where everyone is equal and can access education, health and knowledge, not being denied because of the origin.


2001 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Walach ◽  
Stefan Schmidt ◽  
Yvonne-Michelle Bihr ◽  
Susanne Wiesch

We studied the effect of experimenter expectations and different instructions in a balanced placebo design. 157 subjects were randomized into a 2 × 4 factorial design. Two experimenters were led to expect placebos either to produce physiological effects or not (pro- vs. antiplacebo). All subjects except a control group received a caffeine placebo. They were either made to expect coffee, no coffee, or were in a double-blind condition. Dependent measures were blood pressure, heart rate, well-being, and a cognitive task. There was one main effect on the instruction factor (p = 0.03) with the group “told no caffeine” reporting significantly better well-being. There was one main effect on the experimenter factor with subjects instructed by experimenter “proplacebo” having higher systolic blood pressure (p = 0.008). There was one interaction with subjects instructed by experimenter “proplacebo” to receive coffee doing worse in the cognitive task than the rest. Subjects instructed by experimenter “antiplacebo” were significantly less likely to believe the experimental instruction, and that mostly if they had been instructed to receive coffee. Contrary to the literature we could not show an effect of instruction, but there was an effect of experimenters. It is likely, however, that these experimenter effects were not due to experimental manipulations, but to the difference in personalities.


Author(s):  
Melanie K. T. Takarangi ◽  
Deryn Strange

When people are told that their negative memories are worse than other people’s, do they later remember those events differently? We asked participants to recall a recent negative memory then, 24 h later, we gave some participants feedback about the emotional impact of their event – stating it was more or less negative compared to other people’s experiences. One week later, participants recalled the event again. We predicted that if feedback affected how participants remembered their negative experiences, their ratings of the memory’s characteristics should change over time. That is, when participants are told that their negative event is extremely negative, their memories should be more vivid, recollected strongly, and remembered from a personal perspective, compared to participants in the other conditions. Our results provide support for this hypothesis. We suggest that external feedback might be a potential mechanism in the relationship between negative memories and psychological well-being.


2018 ◽  
pp. 5-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. Grigoryev ◽  
V. A. Pavlyushina

The phenomenon of economic growth is studied by economists and statisticians in various aspects for a long time. Economic theory is devoted to assessing factors of growth in the tradition of R. Solow, R. Barrow, W. Easterly and others. During the last quarter of the century, however, the institutionalists, namely D. North, D. Wallis, B. Weingast as well as D. Acemoglu and J. Robinson, have shown the complexity of the problem of development on the part of socioeconomic and political institutions. As a result, solving the problem of how economic growth affects inequality between countries has proved extremely difficult. The modern world is very diverse in terms of development level, and the article offers a new approach to the formation of the idea of stylized facts using cluster analysis. The existing statistics allows to estimate on a unified basis the level of GDP production by 174 countries of the world for 1992—2016. The article presents a structured picture of the world: the distribution of countries in seven clusters, different in levels of development. During the period under review, there was a strong per capita GDP growth in PPP in the middle of the distribution, poverty in various countries declined markedly. At the same time, in 1992—2016, the difference increased not only between rich and poor groups of countries, but also between clusters.


2003 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-207
Author(s):  
Ruqayya Ṭā Hā Jābir al-cUlwānī

An engaged and perceptive contemplation of the Qur'an forms one of the most important bases for the cultural and social advancement of Muslims in all walks of life, and the absence of such study is one of the reasons behind the general cultural attenuation in the modern world. Reflection is one of the means of the construction and formation of a civilised society. The applied faculty of intellect creates an environment which allows reflective and considered thought to be developed from a functional perspective for the general well-being of society. Meanwhile the effective neglect of such study leads to the proliferation of superstition, dissent and social conflict. Indeed it can even be argued that it diminishes the significance of the laws and conventions which serve as the backbone of society. This paper reveals a number of factors which can impede the achievement of such an engaged study of the text: thus, for instance, thoughtless obedience to societal conventions; shortcomings in educational systems and syllabi; and a failure to encompass the significance of the Arabic language. Furthermore this paper presents several effective suggestions for nurturing students' potential, encouraging an environment which allows freedom of thought, and its refinement.


2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 256-263
Author(s):  
Maria Y. Egorova ◽  
Irina A. Shuvalova ◽  
Olga I. Zvonareva ◽  
Igor D. Pimenov ◽  
Olga S. Kobyakova ◽  
...  

Background. The organization of clinical trials (CTs) requires the participation and coordination of healthcare providers, patients, public and private parties. Obstacles to the participation of any of these groups pose a risk of lowering the potential for the implementation of CTs. Researchers are a key human resource in conducting of CT. Their motivation for participation can have a significant impact on the recruitment and retention of patients, on the quality of the data collected, which determines the overall outcome of the study. Aims to assess the factors affecting the inclusion of Russian physicians-researchers in CT, and to determine their role in relations with patients-participants. Materials and methods. The study was organized as a part of the Russian multicenter face-to-face study. A survey was conducted of researchers from 10 cities of Russia (20172018). The participation in the survey for doctors was anonymous and voluntary. Results. The study involved 78 respondents. Most research doctors highly value the importance of research for science (4,84 0,39), society (4,67 0,46) and slightly lower for participating patients (4,44 0,61). The expectations of medical researchers are related to improving their financial situation and attaining new experience (n = 14; 18,18%). However, the opportunity to work with new technologies of treatment and diagnosis (n = 41; 52,56%) acted as a motivating factor. According to the questionnaire, the vast majority of research doctors (n = 29; 37,18%) believe that the main reason for patients to participate in CT is to receive quality and free medical care. The most significant obstacle to the inclusion of participants in CT was the side effects of the study drug (n = 38; 48,71%). Conclusions. The potential of clinical researchers in Russia is very high. The patient-participant acts for the research doctor as the subject of the study, and not the object, so the well-being of the patient is not indifferent to the doctor. However, the features of the functioning of our health care system form the motivation of doctors-researchers (additional earnings, professional self-development) and the way they perceive the motivation of patients (CT as an opportunity to receive quality medical care).


Author(s):  
Anne Phillips

No one wants to be treated like an object, regarded as an item of property, or put up for sale. Yet many people frame personal autonomy in terms of self-ownership, representing themselves as property owners with the right to do as they wish with their bodies. Others do not use the language of property, but are similarly insistent on the rights of free individuals to decide for themselves whether to engage in commercial transactions for sex, reproduction, or organ sales. Drawing on analyses of rape, surrogacy, and markets in human organs, this book challenges notions of freedom based on ownership of our bodies and argues against the normalization of markets in bodily services and parts. The book explores the risks associated with metaphors of property and the reasons why the commodification of the body remains problematic. The book asks what is wrong with thinking of oneself as the owner of one's body? What is wrong with making our bodies available for rent or sale? What, if anything, is the difference between markets in sex, reproduction, or human body parts, and the other markets we commonly applaud? The book contends that body markets occupy the outer edges of a continuum that is, in some way, a feature of all labor markets. But it also emphasizes that we all have bodies, and considers the implications of this otherwise banal fact for equality. Bodies remind us of shared vulnerability, alerting us to the common experience of living as embodied beings in the same world. Examining the complex issue of body exceptionalism, the book demonstrates that treating the body as property makes human equality harder to comprehend.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
Noorlela Binti Noordin ◽  
Abdul Razaq Ahmad ◽  
Anuar Ahmad

This study was aimed to evaluate the Malay proficiency among students in Form Two especially non-Malay students and its relationship to academic achievement History. To achieve the purpose of the study there are two objectives, the first is to look at the difference between mean of Malay Language test influences min of academic achievement of History subject among non-Malay students in Form Two and the second is the relationship between the level of Malay proficiency and their academic achievement for History. This study used quantitative methods, which involved 100 people of Form Two non-Malay students in one of the schools in Klang, Selangor. This study used quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and statistical inference with IBM SPSS Statistics v22 software. This study found that there was a relationship between the proficiency of Malay language among non-Malay students with achievements in the subject of History. The implications of this study are discussed in this article.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Narendra Kumar Singh ◽  
Nishant Goyal

Background: Schizophrenia is associated with a high familial, social and economic burden. Schizophrenia is also associated with a high level of disability which may create impediments on the social and economic areas of the patients as well as on their respective family networks. Families with schizophrenia may encounter problems such as impairment of health and well being of other family members, restriction of social activities of the family members and shrinking of support from the social network. Aims: The present study examined the difference in perceived social support and burden of care between the male and female caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study examining the difference in perceived social support and burden of care between the male and female caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. The sample consisted of 60 (30 male and 30 female) caregivers of the patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia as per ICD-10-DCR. Results and Conclusion: This study revealed that male caregivers perceived more social support and less burden of care as compared to female caregivers. Key words: Gender, social support, burden


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