Bioethics and multiculturalism: nuancing the discussion

Abstract

In his recent analysis of multiculturalism, Tom Beauchamp has argued that those who implement multicultural reasoning in their arguments against common morality theories, such as his own, have failed to understand that multiculturalism is neither a form of moral pluralism nor ethical relativism but is rather a universalistic moral theory in its own right. Beauchamp's position is indeed on the right track in that multiculturalists do not consider themselves ethical relativists. Yet, Beauchamp tends to miss the mark when he argues that multiculturalism is in effect a school of thought that endorses a form of moral universalism that is akin to his own vision of a common morality. As a supporter of multiculturalism, I would like to discuss some aspects of Beauchamp's comments on multiculturalism and clarify what a multicultural account of public bioethics might look like. Ultimately, multiculturalism is purported as a means of managing diversity in the public arena and should not be thought of as endorsing either a version of moral relativism or a universal morality. By simultaneously refraining from the promotion of a comprehensive common moral system while it attempts to avoid a collapse into relativism, multiculturalism can serve as the ethico-political framework in which diverse moralities can be managed and in which opportunities for ethical dialogue, debate and deliberation on the prospects of common bioethical norms are made possible.

The Effect of Transcultural Nursing Course on Students’ Moral Sensitivity: A Quasi-Experimental Study

“…TNC develops the ability of students to interpret verbal and non-verbal behaviors of patients from different cultures based on understanding them and intercultural communication. Given that every existing ethical system is shaped by culture (Durante, 2018), it may be stated that TNC is an effective teaching method in increasing the moral sensitivity levels of students. In this study, while the scores of the intervention group in the scale dimensions of autonomy, beneficence, holistic approach, and practice were significantly higher than those of the control group, there was no statistically significant difference in terms of the conflict and orientation dimensions.…”

“…This is because each ethical issue that exists in societies is shaped by the cultures of the societies. These issues are always culture-specific and never independent from culture (Durante, 2018). The expression “the most fundamental responsibility of a nurse is the person who needs care.…”

La ética y la medicina familiar

“…19 En cuanto a una amplia concepción, la justicia puede verse tanto sincrónica (entre agentes contemporáneos), como diacrónica (oposición entre las poblaciones existentes a las futuras); mirco-asignativa (recursos basada en las necesidades individuales del paciente) o macro-asignactiva (a un nivel estatal, nacional y mundial). 20 La vulnerabilidad, juega un papel importante dentro de la justicia. En México, los pueblos indígenas son los que enfrentan mayor dificultad para acceder a un sistema de salud justo, forjando en MF el reto de hacer frente a esta vulnerabilidad, en sus diferentes niveles, sin descuidar la aplicación de la justicia distributiva.…”

Comments on Durante’s account of multiculturalism

“…He says that ‘Beauchamp tends to downplay the fact that it is amongst the diversity of tradition-based ‘specifications’ of shared norms, precepts and principles where irreconcilable disagreements often emerge most dramatically’ 1. Far from downplaying this fact, I make it central to my accounts of multiculturalism and the diversity of specifications in moral communities 2 3.…”