What anthropology for bioethics?
Szczepan Kaleciak
szczepankaleciak@pm.meThe Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow, Poland (Poland)
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3059-5909
Abstract
The pluralism of approaches in bioethics is a consequence of the different anthropological conceptions represented by the various ethical systems. The present study examines the different conceptions of understanding of human beings in the main contemporary bioethical theories, such as those of Beauchamp, Singer, Engelhardt and Warren, and assesses their adequacy. Personalism is then presented as a counter-proposal, emphasising that medical, psychological and juridical knowledge is insufficient for the purpose of making moral judgements. Finally, the question of the illumination of these anthropologies by the Revelation is posed.Keywords:
personalism, principlism, ethical anthropology, personalist anthropology, human dignityReferences
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Authors
Szczepan Kaleciakszczepankaleciak@pm.me
The Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow, Poland Poland
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3059-5909
Rev. Szczepan Kaleciak — holder of a master's degree and a licentiate in theology from the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Kraków; medical doctor. Prior to entering the seminary, he collaborated with the Institute of Bioethics at the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Kraków and with the Bioethics Counseling Center in Kraków. His research interests include bioethics and medical ethics, with particular attention to their contemporary currents.
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