More Altruism, Please.

Scott, Niall orcid iconORCID: 0000-0001-5120-4132 (2008) More Altruism, Please. Journal of International Biotechnology Law, 5 (6). pp. 259-264. ISSN 1612-6068

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Official URL: http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/jibl.2008.5.issue-...

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.


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