Quo Vadis, Bioethics?

Abstract

The paper outlines an alternative approach to bioethical issues to replace the present dominant approach which tends to be too abstract and ignores the concrete contexts of the bioethical issues faced by the contemporary world. This new approach, called the humanistic narrative approach, attempts to make the best of the insights of Wittgenstein, his followers such as Cora Diamond and David Cockburn etc., Feminists such as Hilde Lindemann Nelson and Eva Feder kittay, and the Christian theologians Gilbert Meilaender and Jean Vanier. After outlining a moral vision of human animals from the vantage point of the humanistic narrative approach, the author discusses organ transplantation from brain dead persons, prenatal testing, and selective abortion, including a criticism of Peter Singers position on the last issue and an explanation of Jean Vaniers entirely different attitude towards disability.