Forgetting Philosophy’s place: the past and future of bioethics is multi-disciplinary
Christopher Mayes1, Deakin University 1Deakin University
Abstract
In 2022 Jennifer Blumenthal-Barby and colleagues, including Julian Savulescu, published an article in the American Journal of Bioethics arguing that philosophy, more so than any other discipline, is ‘especially important’ for bioethics’ past as well as its future. They argued that ‘it was not data, but rather [philosophical] arguments that birthed the field’, and ‘bioethics originated predominantly from philosophy’. Returning to philosophy, they concluded, is essential for the renewal of bioethics.
In this paper I make two points. First, the claim that philosophy birthed bioethics is historically tendentious. Second, ironically it also undermines Blumenthal-Barby et al’s intention to create space for philosophy in contemporary bioethics. I contend that a more accurate understanding of the history of bioethics avoids unnecessary turf wars that deny the role of other voices, agents, and disciplines in the co-creation of bioethics. Rather, a deeper understanding of bioethics’ history as multi-disciplinary strengthens Blumenthal-Barby et al’s call for a richer connection between philosophy and bioethics by demonstrating how actual philosophers worked with scholars from other disciplines to negotiate structural barriers and collectively shape the field of bioethics.
While I partly agree with Blumenthal-Barby et al’s diagnosis of contemporary bioethics, the problem is not that lack of philosophy but the lack of time, space, and incentive to ask first and second order questions. This involves multi-disciplinary insights. The very attempt to centre philosophy risks undermining the very conditions needed to ask first order questions and conduct philosophically informed bioethical work.
Biography
Christopher Mayes is a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy, Deakin University. He is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Bioethical Inquiry and is currently developing a book manuscript based on his research on the history of bioethics in Australia.