How Rational Should Bioethics Be? The Value of Empirical Approaches

Abstract

Rational justification of claims with empirical content calls for empirical and not only normative philosophical investigation. Empirical approaches to bioethics are epistemically valuable, i.e., such methods may be necessary in providing and verifying basic knowledge about cultural values and norms. Our assumptions in moral reasoning can be verified or corrected using these methods. Moral arguments can be initiated or adjudicated by data drawn from empirical investigation. One may argue that individualistic informed consent, for example, is not compatible with the Asian communitarian orientation. But this normative claim uses an empirical assumption that may be contrary to the fact that some Asians do value and argue for informed consent. Is it necessary and factual to neatly characterize some cultures as individualistic and some as communitarian? Empirical investigation can provide a reasonable way to inform such generalizations. In a multi-cultural context, such as in the Philippines, there is a need to investigate the nature of the local ethos before making any appeal to authenticity. Otherwise we may succumb to the same ethical imperialism we are trying hard to resist. Normative claims that involve empirical premises cannot be reasonable verified or evaluated without utilizing empirical methods along with philosophical reflection. The integration of empirical methods to the standard normative approach to moral reasoning should be reasonably guided by the epistemic demands of claims arising from cross-cultural discourse in bioethics.

When is a patient with heart failure adequately informed? A study of patients' knowledge of and attitudes toward medical information

“…Empiric findings may also raise further ethical questions on particular topics that need to be theoretically scrutinized. [19][20][21] In this study, current ethical theory regarding patient autonomy (including the postulated right to be truly and adequately informed) to participate in the decision-making process and to influence the outcome of the decision will be taken into consideration, together with empiric data related to the issue, that is, informing patients with heart failure about their medical condition.…”

The use of personalized medicine for patient selection for renal transplantation: Physicians' views on the clinical and ethical implications

“…In conclusion, research such as this is important in ensuring the appropriate development of personalized medicine within renal transplantation. This research clearly indicates the importance of empirical approaches in bioethics [41,42], which would provide assistance in dealing with the ethical issues identified by practitioners when personalized medicine is established in a clinical setting. It is also essential to examine patients' and society's views about the use of a personalized medicine method in kidney transplantation, by using an empirical approach.…”

Bioethics of life programs: Taking seriously moral pluralism in clinical settings

“…Empirical evidence corroborates the life program approach to bioethics' claim about the diversity of fundamental standards of action (i.e., these recognized to be elements of the life programs' hard cores), accepted in different cultures within the context of clinical medicine. On other hand, it should be emphasized that this claim should encourage undertaking scrupulous empirical inquires about morality [ 20 ].…”