Ethical Debate Research Articles

Ethical Dilemma and Technology Misuse in Medical Fiction of Rebecca Skloot’s The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

The rapid advancement of medical technology has introduced new ethical quandaries that are increasingly explored within medical fiction. To explore these ethical misconducts and implications of technology misuse, the study selects the medical novel Rebecca Skloot's The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. This study uses the Neutralization Theory of Sykes and Matza to examine the moral arguments and ethical conundrums raised in Rebecca Skloot's The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. In that, the novel investigates how authors use the medium of fiction to not only highlight the profound ethical questions surrounding the development and application of new technologies but also to expose the fragility of the systems and individuals tasked with wielding such power. This selected medical narrative serves as cautionary tales that force readers to confront the moral and philosophical implications of technological progress in the medical field, calling doctors to consider the delicate balance between scientific advancement and preserving human dignity, autonomy, and the sanctity of life.

Qur’ānic Worldview and the Environment

This article analyses the prophethood of Muḥammad (peace be on him) as the Creator’s environmentally balanced strategy to achieve a secure and sustainable future for humanity. In line with the principles of innovating on the margins, this article foregrounds the purpose, need, and rationale for presenting such an altruistic environmental ethicist to the world. Negotiating through the environmental ethical debates of utilitarianism, deontology, virtue ethics, and the Qur’ānic worldview, the article argues that a study of the rationale for the Prophet Muḥammad’s prophethood brings an acute awareness of intrinsic environmental ethics and allows Muslims to understand why the Qur’ānic weltanschauung underscores the importance of such a complete human benefactor or a perfect environmental ethicist for the world. It also puts forth the relevance of such a study for navigating the mayhem of contemporary social affairs.

Conditional normative reasoning as a fragment of HOL

We report on the mechanisation of (preference-based) conditional normative reasoning. Our focus is on Åqvist's system E for conditional obligation, and its extensions. Our mechanisation is achieved via a shallow semantical embedding in Isabelle/HOL. We consider two possible uses of the framework. The first one is as a tool for meta-reasoning about the considered logic. We employ it for the automated verification of deontic correspondences (broadly conceived) and related matters, analogous to what has been previously achieved for the modal logic cube. The equivalence is automatically verified in one direction, leading from the property to the axiom. The second use is as a tool for assessing ethical arguments. We provide a computer encoding of a well-known paradox (or impossibility theorem) in population ethics, Parfit's repugnant conclusion. While some have proposed overcoming the impossibility theorem by abandoning the presupposed transitivity of ‘better than’, our formalisation unveils a less extreme approach, suggesting among other things the option of weakening transitivity suitably rather than discarding it entirely. Whether the presented encoding increases or decreases the attractiveness and persuasiveness of the repugnant conclusion is a question we would like to pass on to philosophy and ethics.

Marrying Body and Theology: A Response to Thomas Finegan

In a recent article in this journal, Thomas Finegan replies to our earlier article in this journal, which proposes a theological and ethical argument for the Catholic church to recognize same-sex civil unions as a lower-case sacrament. His critique focuses on the theological significance of embodiment as a one flesh union taught by Jesus, defended throughout Catholic tradition, and justified philosophically. We respond that Finegan’s critique misrepresents our argument and is mistaken biblically, anthropologically, and sacramentally, and suffers from scotosis.

‘Point and Kill’ vs Animal Rights: A Moral Examination

This study critically examines the ethical implications of the practice known as "point and kill," wherein nonhuman animals are selected and immediately killed for food, a practice that has become commonplace in many African cultures. While food is essential for the survival and growth of both human and nonhuman animals, the manner in which nonhuman animals are often treated as mere commodities raises significant ethical concerns. Despite extensive debates in contemporary animal ethics, the focus has predominantly been on issues such as biomedical research, animal confinement, and entertainment, with relatively little attention given to the ethical ramifications of using animals for food, particularly in the context of practices like "point and kill." This paper addresses the gap in the literature by interrogating the moral worth of nonhuman animals and questioning the justification for their wanton killing for human consumption. Employing critical and conceptual analysis, the study draws on the Igbo philosophy of ‘ugwu anu’ (animal integrity) to argue against speciesism and advocate for the moral consideration of nonhuman animals. It contends that nonhuman animals deserve care, respect, and fair treatment, and that the practice of "point and kill" reflects a speciesist attitude that undermines the inherent value of animal life. By bringing this issue to the forefront, the study contributes to the broader discourse on animal ethics and calls for a reevaluation of culturally ingrained practices that perpetuate animal suffering.

The moral limits of what, exactly?

Abstract While moral arguments for limiting market expansionism proliferate, a fundamental question has been left unanswered: the moral limits of what, exactly? Moral Limits of Markets (MLM) theorists tend to employ different terms – markets, putting a price tag, buying and selling – interchangeably and inconsistently to describe the phenomenon they are troubled by. I clarify this ambiguity by offering a novel taxonomy of different dimensions of exchange I identify as the sources of the normative concerns of most MLM arguments: Alienation, Commodification, Marketization, Privatization. This taxonomy allows us to better understand why and what about ‘markets’ should be limited.

XII—The Ethical Problem of Evil

Abstract I introduce a distinct challenge to religious belief: the Ethical Argument from evil. By this argument, paradigmatic forms of religious practice constitutively involve failures of ethical acknowledgement with respect to the reality of evil. I show how standard discussions of the problem of evil, as a purely logical or epistemic issue, abstract away from its fundamentally ethical dimensions. Drawing on an analogy with Moore’s paradox, I argue that the Ethical Argument presents a genuine theoretical problem, not merely a practical or pastoral one: the problem of how religious devotion can be compossible with properly acknowledging the reality of evil. I further argue that, in order properly to address this problem, the philosophy of religion needs to take a phenomenological turn. To illustrate this approach, I focus on the case of thankful prayer and draw out from Kierkegaard’s writings a religious ideal of unconditional gratitude. Developing the relevant notion of a failure of ethical acknowledgement in terms of two vices—wishful self-deception and spiritualized self-absorption—I show how Kierkegaard’s account can help us to assess whether expressions of religious devotion are objectionable on these grounds.

Good deeds or exploitation?: Queer parents working for private assisted reproductive technologies companies in urban China

This article examines the interplay of queer reproduction and private assisted reproductive technologies (ART) companies in urban China. While same-sex marriage has not gained legal recognition in mainland China and childbirth outside heterosexual marriage has been restricted, queer parents who have children through ART have gradually become visible. ART has emerged as an ideal way for Chinese queer citizens to have children, though they are not legally permitted to use ART services in domestic hospitals. Consequently, an increasing number of queer intended parents turned to underground ART businesses, with some of them becoming salespeople or business owners themselves. My ethnographic analysis comes from fieldworks conducted in Guangdong province, China, from 2018 to 2021. This paper shows that the legal and moral debates brought by queer people’s use of ART are perceived differently among diverse gender and sexual groups in Chinese society. It founds that queer parents’ participation in the ART industry has demonstrated the potential for queer forms of parenthood and family, while reinforcing stratified reproduction and gender inequalities. The tendency to reduce IVF/surrogacy to “womb-for-rent” business among Chinese ART businesses continues to impact queer people’s reproductive and parenting rights. This paper hopes to offer insights into queer reproductive justice and reproductive technologies across the globe.

Perempuan dan Hak Asasi Manusia dalam Lensa Filsafat: Dilema Etika dan Implementasi

Human rights in the context of women through a philosophical lens brings us into deep reflection about the rights, dignity and role of women in society. In philosophy, women are considered as equal individuals to men, eliminating discrimination based on gender. The concepts of bodily autonomy, reproductive rights, and protection against violence are at the center of ethical and moral debates about women's human rights. Philosophical thinking also emphasizes that women have an active role in raising social and political awareness to achieve gender equality. This involves the moral responsibility and collective action of women in fighting for their rights. Through a philosophical lens, understanding women's human rights encourages us to see women not only as objects receiving rights, but also as subjects who are empowered to shape a more just future. Therefore, the philosophy provides a strong foundation for advocacy for gender equality and social change that is more inclusive and has equal rights to live with dignity and freedom.

Queer Economics: Same-Sex Marriage Rate vs. Economics Crisis Expectation

Marriage is not just a promise between two individuals; it serves as a bridge between two families and provides the nurturing ground for many new lives. Research studies have indicated that marriage can enhance the subjective well-being of married individuals[i]. However, beneath the weighty commitments and responsibilities, the dissolution of marriage can increase illness rates and psychological distress among divorced women. [ii]While mainstream society still upholds the social stability brought by marriage and advocates it as an indispensable part of the human lifecycle, people are actively exploring alternative romantic relationships or family models, such as cohabitation. Many individuals engage in cohabitation as a prelude to formal marriage, viewing it as an experimental version of married life, enjoying the everyday romantic relationship without the legal costs and property entanglements. [iii]This article considers cohabitation as an alternative to marriage, which can also be understood as a substitution in consumption when people are deterred from marriage due to the high costs associated with divorce. Therefore, strategies people adopt towards marriage are often influenced by changes in societal patterns and the turbulence in politics and the economy. In comparison to heterosexual couples, the dynamics of marriage are more complex for same-sex couples. Apart from the ethical debates surrounding same-sex marriage, economic models have also demonstrated that same-sex marriage poses significant secular challenges. [iv]For instance, issues like post-marriage healthcare for same-sex couples and the impact of their married status on the labor market are still subjects of debate. However, these issues primarily target the challenges and research pertaining to the identity of being a same-sex individual. Nevertheless, as members of society, same-sex couples also experience the fluctuations brought about by broader social cycles, such as the impact of economic crises. There is relatively limited research in the field on how same-sex couples respond to widespread societal crises, and the strategies employed by same-sex couples during different economic crises can effectively reflect the natural state of this community within society.[v] [i] Janice K Kiecolt-Glaser and Tamara L Newton. (2001). Marriage and Health: His and Hers. American Psychological Association. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2001-01085-002. [ii] Frederick O Lorenz et al. (2006). The Short-Term and Decade-Long Effects of Divorce on Women’s Midlife Health. American Sociological Association. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/002214650604700202. [iii] Brandon G Wagner, Kate H Choi, and Philip N Cohen. (2020). Decline in Marriage Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States. Sage Journals. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2378023120980328. [iv] DOUGLAS W ALLEN. (2006). An Economic Assessment of Same-Sex Marriage Laws. Semantic scholar. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/An-Economic-Assessment-of-Same-Sex-Marriage-Laws-Allen/513a92f3d397ae2b787094294aa465d48053ef53. [v] Malaczewska Paulina and Malaczewski Maciej. (1970, January 1). Marriage, Divorce and Coronavirus—Theoretical Analysis of the Influence of COVID-19 on Family Capital. Economics and Business Review. https://ideas.repec.org/a/vrs/ecobur/v8y2022i3p126-142n7.html.

Artificial Intelligence and Ethics in Healthcare: A Bibliometric Analysis

The rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare services has underscored the importance of ethical considerations. This development highlights the need to examine ethical implications, debates, concerns, and thoughts from diverse and broad perspectives. In this context, the study focuses on the ethical dimensions of AI in the healthcare domain. AI is increasingly being used in various healthcare applications, but this usage brings along ethical challenges. The aim of the research is to identify themes, trends, and critical points related to AI ethics in healthcare. Through literature review and bibliometric analyses, it is observed that AI ethics research in healthcare revolves around fundamental concepts such as ethics, AI, machine learning, healthcare services, and privacy. Additionally, the leading countries, authors, and institutions in the field are examined. The intensity of collaboration and knowledge sharing in the literature is steadily increasing. In conclusion, considering the potential benefits and challenges of AI use in healthcare, addressing ethical issues, ensuring data security, and enhancing transparency in AI decision processes are crucial. The study aims to provide a deeper understanding of AI ethics topics in the existing literature and guide future research.

Factores asociados a la actitud hacia la eutanasia y el aborto en estudiantes de medicina de una universidad del Perú

Introduction. The ethical debate surrounding euthanasia and abortion is relevant both in the medical and moral spheres. In the Peruvian context, these practices face legal and ethical challenges. Objective. To analyze the attitudes of medical students towards euthanasia and abortion, considering sociodemographic, academic, and religiosity variables. Methods. A descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational study was conducted with medical students from a private university in Peru. Online questionnaires were administered to assess attitudes towards euthanasia and abortion, as well as religiosity and sociodemographic characteristics. Results. 341 participants were evaluated. Regarding attitudes towards abortion, religiosity (β = 0.314, p < 0.001), female gender (β = -0.243, p < 0.001), clinical/surgical years (β = -0,190, p < 0.001), and employment (β = 0,111, p = 0.026) were associated. As for attitudes towards euthanasia, associations were observed with religiosity (β = -0.234, p < 0.001) and female gender (β = 0.108, p = 0.042). Conclusions. The influence of religiosity and gender on medical students' attitudes towards euthanasia and abortion is highlighted. These findings have implications for medical education and ethical understanding in a context where these practices face legal and social challenges.

A Critical Introduction to the Ethics of Abortion: Understanding the Moral Arguments, written by Bernie Cantens

A Critical Introduction to the Ethics of Abortion: Understanding the Moral Arguments, written by Bernie Cantens

Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Education. The educator as ethical leader.

Technological media are evolving at great speed, and this development inevitably affects the pedagogical approach that institutions and educators implement in the classroom. The great irruption of Artificial Intelligence tools makes it necessary to reflect on the use of these applications in educational centres at all levels, from Early Childhood Education to Higher Education. These tools have enormous possibilities and applications for the improvement of learning in many aspects, but it is also necessary to analyse the ethical implications that their use may entail, and the role of the educator in this whole process. In this sense, it is proposed that the teacher should become an ethical leader, providing adequate spaces for all students to have the opportunity to achieve learning, becoming a person who inspires those around him/her, and leading the ethical debate involved in the use of these technologies, fostering a critical spirit and knowledge. The presence of the human being in the educational process cannot be doubted, due to the presence of dimensions of the human being such as the emotional or spiritual dimension, which are part of the integral development of the individual and must be nurtured.

Older women's perspectives on the ethics of persuasion in doctor-patient communication.

Public health campaigns have often used persuasive techniques to promote healthy behaviors but the use of persuasion by doctors is controversial. We sought to examine older women's perspectives. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 community-dwelling older women from the Baltimore metropolitan area. We asked whether participants thought it was ethically appropriate for doctors to try to persuade patients and explored their rationales. We probed about commonly used persuasive techniques and two example decisional contexts-stopping mammograms and moving out of one's house after multiple falls. We used qualitative thematic analysis to code the transcripts and summarized results into major themes. We found mixed views on the ethical appropriateness of persuasion (theme 1); supporters of persuasion were motivated by the potential benefit to patients' health, whereas opponents thought patients should be the ultimate decision-makers. Perspectives depended on the persuasive technique (theme 2), where emotional appeals elicited the most negative reactions while use of facts and patient stories were viewed more positively. Perspectives also varied by the decisional context (theme 3), where higher severity and certainty of harm influenced participants to be more accepting of persuasion. Participants suggested alternative communication approaches to persuasion (theme 4) that emphasized respect for patients. Our findings suggest that the type of persuasive technique and the decisional context are important considerations in the ethical debate around the use of persuasion. Limiting the use of persuasion to high-stakes decisions and using facts and patient stories rather than emotional appeals are likely more acceptable.

Mapping ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of fertility preservation.

The study examines the ethical, legal, and social implications of fertility preservation, highlighting its importance across oncofertility, elective egg freezing, and posthumous assisted reproduction, as well as its impact on transgender individuals undergoing gender-affirming surgeries. A comprehensive analysis of 600 articles, focusing on a diverse range of disciplines, including bioethics, psychology, and sociology, to explore public and healthcare professionals' knowledge, patient experiences, and regulatory constraints. The body of literature is growing, indicating increasing recognition of FP's significance. Key themes included the centrality of counseling and informed decision-making, especially in oncofertility and EEF, and ethical debates surrounding informed consent and the autonomy of involved individuals. The analysis underscored a western-centric bias in current research, emphasizing the need for more inclusive and culturally sensitive studies. The study calls for a nuanced understanding of FP, advocating for policies that consider ethical, cultural, and social dimensions. It suggests the necessity for interdisciplinary research to address identified gaps, particularly in understanding non-Western perspectives and ensuring equitable access to FP services globally. Moreover, the review emphasizes the importance of integrating patient-centric approaches and ethical frameworks to guide FP practices and policies, ensuring they respect diverse values and meet individuals' needs.

Debate: Should Parents Should Be Able to Request Non-Resuscitation for All Extremely Premature Newborn Infants?

AbstractInfants who are born extremely prematurely can survive if they receive intensive medical treatment. However, they also have a high chance of dying, and a proportion of survivors have long-term health problems and disabilities. In many parts of the world, if parents request it, an extremely premature infant can receive palliative care rather than active survival-focused care at birth. But there are variations between countries as to whether or when this is permitted. To help inform ethical debates across Asia and more widely, we present two contrasting views about parental discretion and the treatment of extremely preterm infants. In questions of this nature, disagreement and dissensus are inevitable. Differences in the outcomes of treatment, the resources available, and the values of society mean that we should not expect a uniform approach. We identify points of potential consensus and compromise despite disagreement.

Race adjustments in clinical algorithms can help correct for racial disparities in data quality

Despite ethical and historical arguments for removing race from clinical algorithms, the consequences of removal remain unclear. Here, we highlight a largely undiscussed consideration in this debate: varying data quality of input features across race groups. For example, family history of cancer is an essential predictor in cancer risk prediction algorithms but is less reliably documented for Black participants and may therefore be less predictive of cancer outcomes. Using data from the Southern Community Cohort Study, we assessed whether race adjustments could allow risk prediction models to capture varying data quality by race, focusing on colorectal cancer risk prediction. We analyzed 77,836 adults with no history of colorectal cancer at baseline. The predictive value of self-reported family history was greater for White participants than for Black participants. We compared two cancer risk prediction algorithms-a race-blind algorithm which included standard colorectal cancer risk factors but not race, and a race-adjusted algorithm which additionally included race. Relative to the race-blind algorithm, the race-adjusted algorithm improved predictive performance, as measured by goodness of fit in a likelihood ratio test (P-value: <0.001) and area under the receiving operating characteristic curve among Black participants (P-value: 0.006). Because the race-blind algorithm underpredicted risk for Black participants, the race-adjusted algorithm increased the fraction of Black participants among the predicted high-risk group, potentially increasing access to screening. More broadly, this study shows that race adjustments may be beneficial when the data quality of key predictors in clinical algorithms differs by race group.

DECODING TAMIL IDENTITY IN AI-GENERATED IMAGERY: LEVERAGING PROMPTS FOR CULTURAL CONTENT ANALYSIS

Artificial Intelligence (AI), as described by Pedro Domingo’s, encompasses technologies like machine learning and neural networks, revolutionizing industries and daily life. Cultural identity, shaped by ethnicity, nationality, language, and traditions, defines individuals and communities, influencing values and behaviours. It fosters a sense of belonging, evolving with societal changes and interactions with diverse cultures. AI's portrayal in cultural representation, spanning media, literature, and art, shapes societal perceptions and expectations of technology, ranging from utopian to dystopian visions. Cultural values and norms influence ethical debates surrounding AI, informing discussions on issues like bias and privacy. Increasingly, AI technologies are adapted to diverse cultural contexts, integrating language, customs, and values into their design to resonate with global communities.This research aims to investigate the portrayal of Tamil cultural identity in AI-generated imagery, employing prompts as a tool for nuanced content analysis. By systematically analyzing AI-generated images through specific prompts designed to capture various facets of Tamil culture, this study seeks to unveil the intricacies, biases, and nuances inherent in these representations. Through a refined analysis framework, the research endeavours to shed light on the cultural sensitivity of AI-generated imagery concerning Tamil culture, contributing to the discourse on cultural representation in artificial intelligence.

Deep disagreement across moral revolutions

Moral revolutions are rightly coming to be recognised as a philosophically interesting and historically important mode of moral change. What is less often acknowledged is that the very characteristics that make a moral change revolutionary pose a fundamental challenge to the possibility of moral progress. This is because moral revolutions are characterised by a diachronic form of deep moral disagreement: moral agents on either side of a moral revolution adopt different standards for assessing the merits of a moral argument, and according to the standards they adopt, agents on neither side of the revolution ought to accept the arguments being put forward by those on the other. This threatens to undermine the progressive status of many of our most celebrated historical examples of moral revolutions: if a moral revolution only looks progressive in light of a change in evaluative standards it itself brought about, then moral progress seems relative to a particular historical perspective; if prior to a moral revolution taking place the moral arguments in its favour fall short of the relevant standards, moral revolutions can never be the outcome of rational argumentation. This apparent relativism and irrationality sits uncomfortably alongside our common-sense intuition that the moral revolutions upon which our contemporary moral worldview rests count as genuine moral progress. In this paper, I deepen currently popular Kuhnian-inspired accounts of moral revolution by incorporating Wittgensteinian ideas from Philosophical Investigations and On Certainty. The result is an original way of thinking about deep moral disagreements, moral revolutions, and moral progress.