More Altruism, Please.

Abstract

This paper addresses the need for more attention to be paid to altruism as fundamentally underpinning any bioethical enquiry. I argue along with Bernard Williams that altruism is necessary for morality and if this is the case it is necessary for bioethics. In following a Kantian line on altruism, I take issue with the consequentialist component of Beauchamp and Childress' treatment of beneficence and argue that altruism paired with sollidarity is a better match. However, even here it is my contention that altruism is required to give solidarity normative force.