WHAT CAN PERSONALISM CONTRIBUTE TO BIOETHICS?

This paper principally raises a question about the possibility of a universal moral standard, which would underpin a global bioethics. In so doing, it becomes clear that the time has come to re-examine the concept 'person', especially given the continuing hold Enlightenment thinking has on the Weste... Full description

This paper principally raises a question about the possibility of a universal moral standard, which would underpin a global bioethics. In so doing, it becomes clear that the time has come to re-examine the concept 'person', especially given the continuing hold Enlightenment thinking has on the Western mind. Following a brief history of the formation of global bioethics, different approaches to personalism are identified and, in particular, the ethical thought of Brightman, Bowne, Bertocci, and Macmurray is discussed. After examining some tough cases, our conclusion is that Personalism has not, but certainly could, provide the basis for a genuinely global bioethics. Key Words: Boston personalism, bioethics, ethics, global, idealism, ironic impersonalism, realism, relational personalism, Peter A. Bertocci, E. S. Brightman, Borden Parker Bowne, John Macmurray.