Sanctity of Life and Human Dignity

Abstract

Preface K. Bayertz, H.T. Engelhardt, Jr. Introduction. Sanctity of life and human dignity K. Bayertz. Part One: Sanctity of Life. The concept of sanctity of life and its use in contemporary bioethical discussion J. Keenans, S.J. Sanctity of life, voluntary euthanasia and the Dutch experience: some implications for public policy H. Kuhse. Value of life vs. sanctity of life - outlines of a bioethics that does without the concept of 'Menschenwurde' W. Lenzen. Sanctity of life and human dignity at the bedside S. Wear. Part Two: Human Dignity. Human dignity: philosophical origin and scientific erosion of an idea K. Bayertz. The general notion of human dignity and the specific arguments in medical ethics M. Hailer, D. Ritschl. Ambiguities in the concept of Menschenwurde D. Birnbacher. Human dignity and genetic tests T. Petermann. Part Three: The Concept of a Person. The concept of a person in moral philosophy L. Honnefelder. Persons as 'self-originating sources of value' A. Leist. Alterity and judgement - some moral implications of Hegel's concept of life M.C. Rawlinson. Part Four: Problems of Critical Care. Sanctity of life and Menschenwurde: can these concepts help direct the use of resources in critical care? H.T. Engelhardt, Jr. Not sanctity or dignity, but justice and autonomy: key moral concepts in the allocation of critical care J.C. Moskop. Sanctity of life and the neonatologist's dilemma V. von Lowenich. The sancity of human life: Secular moral authority, biomedicine, and the role of the State K.Wm. Wildes, S.J. On the appeal for the recognition of Menschenwurde in law and morality M. Honecker.Appendix: The concept of human dignity: an annotated bibliography B. Haferkamp. The sanctity of life: a literature review G. Khushf. Notes on contributors. Index.