Machine Learning (ML) is on the rise in medicine, promising improved diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic clinical tools. While these technological innovations are bound to transform health care, they also bring new ethical concerns to the forefront. One particularly elusive challenge regards discriminatory algorithmic judgements based on biases inherent in the training data. A common line of reasoning distinguishes between justified differential treatments that mirror true disparities between socially salient groups, and unjustified biases which do not, leading to misdiagnosis and erroneous (...) treatment. In the curation of training data this strategy runs into severe problems though, since distinguishing between the two can be next to impossible. We thus plead for a pragmatist dealing with algorithmic bias in healthcare environments. By recurring to a recent reformulation of William James’s pragmatist understanding of truth, we recommend that, instead of aiming at a supposedly objective truth, outcome-based therapeutic usefulness should serve as the guiding principle for assessing ML applications in medicine. (shrink)

Der ärztliche Umgang mit Opiaten und Sedativa bei Patienten am Lebensende kann ethische Fragen aufwerfen. Entsprechende Entscheidungen blieben bisher in aller Regel der ärztlichen Berufskunst und -pflicht überantwortet. Heute aber gerät dieser Bereich zunehmend auch in den Blickwinkel des Rechts. Ausdruck davon sind Bestrebungen, die indirekte Sterbehilfe, allenfalls auch die terminale Sedierung gesetzlich zu regeln. Ausgehend von einer Ist-Analyse der ärztlichen Praxis sowie von bereits bestehenden Regulierungen untersucht diese Arbeit die Konsequenzen derartiger Bestrebungen. Es zeigt sich, dass der Versuch, die (...) Thematik der indirekten Sterbehilfe für sich allein, also unter Vermeidung einer Regelung der direkt aktiven Sterbehilfe, zu behandeln, zu großen Schwierigkeiten führen würde. Ernüchternd sind aber auch die Erfahrungen aus den Niederlanden, derartige Fragen im Rahmen eines umfassenden Sterbehilfegesetzes anzugehen. Insgesamt ist somit zu befürchten, dass der Versuch einer detaillierten gesetzlichen Regelung dieses Bereiches mehr neue Grauzonen und Unsicherheiten schafft, als er zu beseitigen vermag. (shrink)

ZusammenfassungDer ärztliche Umgang mit Opiaten und Sedativa bei Patienten am Lebensende kann ethische Fragen aufwerfen. Entsprechende Entscheidungen blieben bisher in aller Regel der ärztlichen Berufskunst und -pflicht überantwortet. Heute aber gerät dieser Bereich zunehmend auch in den Blickwinkel des Rechts. Ausdruck davon sind Bestrebungen, die indirekte Sterbehilfe, allenfalls auch die terminale Sedierung gesetzlich zu regeln. Ausgehend von einer Ist-Analyse der ärztlichen Praxis sowie von bereits bestehenden Regulierungen untersucht diese Arbeit die Konsequenzen derartiger Bestrebungen. Es zeigt sich, dass der Versuch, die (...) Thematik der indirekten Sterbehilfe für sich allein, also unter Vermeidung einer Regelung der direkt aktiven Sterbehilfe, zu behandeln, zu großen Schwierigkeiten führen würde. Ernüchternd sind aber auch die Erfahrungen aus den Niederlanden, derartige Fragen im Rahmen eines umfassenden Sterbehilfegesetzes anzugehen. Insgesamt ist somit zu befürchten, dass der Versuch einer detaillierten gesetzlichen Regelung dieses Bereiches mehr neue Grauzonen und Unsicherheiten schafft, als er zu beseitigen vermag. (shrink)

Ao discorremos sobre o pertencimento ao mundo e a questão dos refugiados em Hannah Arendt, buscamos trazer a lume uma discussão enfrentada pela autora no século passado, mas que se torna atual, haja vista a conjuntura mundial hodierna. Nosso problema focou a seguinte questão: é possível um mundo sem acolhimento dos seres humanos e de suas relações? Ao nos indagarmos sobre isto, enfrentamos o papel do direito internacional frente à questão, sobretudo, no que concerne à tensão entre direitos humanos e (...) soberania. Para Hannah Arendt, ocorreu uma flagrante incapacidade dos direitos humanos e, do direito, como lei para proteger e resguardar os apátridas e os refugiados. Neste contexto, as categorias de mundo e de refugiado emergem como categorias analíticas para compreendermos a ideia de pertencimento. Ainda nessa esteira, buscamos esclarecer o conceito de mundo em Hannah Arendt para melhor construção de nossa argumentação. Elegemos como metodologia a exegese textual, já consagrada nos estudos filosóficos. Destacamos como corpus central de nossa discussão a obra Escritos judaicos e, em especial, os textos Nós os refugiados e A Condição Humana. (shrink)

Pensar a recuperação da Política a partir da ação e do espaço público comporta o grande objetivo deste texto. Queremos com isso trazer a baila duas categorias fundamentais no pensamento de Hannah Arendt. Para tal empreitada nos apoiamos em obras da autora de modo especial A condição Humana e Entre o passado e o Futuro. Elegemos como metodologia central a pesquisa bibliográfica.

O texto Imortalidade e Eternidade: um diálogo em torno da vida ativa privilegia três categorias: a memória, a narração e a imortalidade. Categorias que destacam a ação no mundo. A imortalidade se impõe como aquilo que está sendo perpetuado no tempo pela memória e pela narração. A noção que teria de ser superada, nesse contexto, é a noção de eternidade, tendo em vista que a mesma lança fora dos negócios humanos toda e qualquer ação. Com isso objetiva-se demonstrar a distinção (...) entre vida ativa e vida contemplativa. Para tanto, apoiamos nossa argumentação no pensamento de Hannah Arendt. Elegemos como Metodologia a pesquisa bibliográfica de caráter exegético. (shrink)

Ao tratar da obediência e banalidade do mal em Hannah Arendt, ensejamos discutir o estatuto da obediência e colocar essa em exame via reflexão. Desse modo, entendemos que a obediência sem reflexão pode ser um contra valor capaz de promover o mal. Nessa direção, a resistência pela reflexão e pela ação podem servir de barreiras para obstar esse mal. Elegemos a figura do pária rebelde como paradigma exemplar de resistência pelo que chamamos de uma desobediência ética que se ocupa da (...) responsabilidade pelo mundo. Escolhemos como metodologia a exegese textual já consagrada nos estudos de filosofia. (shrink)

The precarious rights of senior citizens, especially those who are highly educated and who are expected to counsel and guide the younger generations, has stimulated the creation internationally of advocacy associations and opinion leader groups. The strength of these groups, however, varies from country to country. In some countries, they are supported and are the focus of intense interest; in others, they are practically ignored. For this is reason we believe that the creation of a network of all these associations (...) is essential. The proposed network would act as a support for the already-existing policies of the United Nations’ High Commission for Human Rights, of independent experts, and of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Older People. All three have long ago recommended the creation of a recognized instrument for uniting presently scattered efforts. The proposed network, therefore, will seek to promote the international exchange of relevant expertise, and it will reinforce the commitments and actions that single countries are currently taking to meet these objectives. For example, informative public events can be organised to promote particular support initiatives and to provide an opportunity for new members of the network to be presented. The network will promote health for senior citizens, disease prevention, senior mobility, safe free time for seniors, alimentary education, protection against new risks and dangers, as well as equity in the services necessary for seniors to adopt new information and communication technologies. In the case of retired academic members, the network will promote equality with respect to continuing use of digital technologies (particularly email), continuing access to research libraries, and the guaranteed ability for seniors to fund their own research programs and to deliver free seminars. (shrink)

Ao discorremos sobre o pertencimento ao mundo e a questão dos refugiados em Hannah Arendt, buscamos trazer a lume uma discussão enfrentada pela autora no século passado, mas que se torna atual, haja vista a conjuntura mundial hodierna. Nosso problema focou a seguinte questão: é possível um mundo sem acolhimento dos seres humanos e de suas relações? Ao nos indagarmos sobre isto, enfrentamos o papel do direito internacional frente à questão, sobretudo, no que concerne à tensão entre direitos humanos e (...) soberania. Para Hannah Arendt, ocorreu uma flagrante incapacidade dos direitos humanos e, do direito, como lei para proteger e resguardar os apátridas e os refugiados. Neste contexto, as categorias de mundo e de refugiado emergem como categorias analíticas para compreendermos a ideia de pertencimento. Ainda nessa esteira, buscamos esclarecer o conceito de mundo em Hannah Arendt para melhor construção de nossa argumentação. Elegemos como metodologia a exegese textual, já consagrada nos estudos filosóficos. Destacamos como corpus central de nossa discussão a obra Escritos judaicos e, em especial, os textos Nós os refugiados e A Condição Humana. (shrink)

Business ethics, which grew out of religion's interest in ethics in business and management education's concern with social issues, has become an interdisciplinary academic field. Thus far it has centered on teaching undergraduates. The easy work has now been done and the field has reached a plateau. To develop further it requires development on the MBA level, high quality research on new questions, positive models, better interdisciplinary integration, and attention to international business. Ultimately the field will stand or fall on (...) the quality of research those in it produce. (shrink)

O presente texto propõe-se a refletir, no rastro de Arendt, sobre o declínio da política na modernidade diante de sua redução à administração da vida e das necessidades vitais. Para tanto, discutiremos a “moderna alienação do mundo” fomentada pela ascensão do trabalho e da vida, e refletiremos sobre a redução da política à administração da vida diante do advento do social e da vitória do animal laborans. Pressupõe-se que, examinarmos tais categorias nos permite observar o ocaso da política na era (...) moderna e a sua transformação em biopolítica, e, ademais, como esta categoria segue na contramão da noção política da autora. Para a metodologia, realizamos uma exegese filosófica das obras referencias, especialmente a obra A Condição Humana (1958), de Hannah Arendt. (shrink)

Jean-François Lyotard. First acquaintance with Lyotard -- Kant's notion of the sublime and its appropriation by Lyotard -- Transposing Kant to the key of the postmodern -- The role of feelings in Lyotard's political judgment -- Universality revisited -- Jacques Derrida. The Nietzschean influence -- Derrida and phenomenology -- Derrida's exploration of exteriority and anteriority -- Derrida's political ethics : foundations -- Derrida's political ethics : further elaborations : the international scene.

O artigo trata das reformas educacionais apresentadas pelos organismos internacionais às nações periféricas, na perspectiva de um diálogo histórico-filosófico sobre as crises da educação nesse período de globalização. Privilegia o estudo teórico-bibliográfico de caráter analítico-exploratório, orientando-se pelo horizonte metodológico do materialismo histórico-dialético. Tem por objetivo compreender as implicações das crises do capital nas reformas educacionais dos países periféricos. No campo da educação, conclui-se que essas reformas estão em sintonia com as medidas neoliberais que visam fomentar uma mão-de-obra flexível e precarizada (...) para o mercado de trabalho, ao mesmo tempo em que buscam manter o controle socioeconômico e ideológico da classe trabalhadora. (shrink)

Philosophers have constituted business ethics as a field by providing a systematic overview that interrelates its problems and concepts and that supplies the basis for building on attained results. Is there a properly theological task in business ethics? The religious/theological literature on business ethics falls into four classes: (1) the application of religious morality to business practices; (2) the use of encyclical teachings about capitalism; (3) the interpretation of business relations in agapa-istic terms; and (4) the critique of business from (...) a liberation theological point of view. Theologians have not adequately addressed the questions of whether there are particular theological tasks in the field as they define it, and whether, if they define it, the theological definition is different from the philosophical. (shrink)

Only by distinguishing corporate, moral, social and legal responsibility can GM know how to weigh and respond to its various responsibilities. Corporate responsibility stems from the ends for which the corporation is formed. In addition the corporation is responsible for meeting the moral demands that come from the moral law. The corporation is responsible for meeting legitimate social demands proposed by society. If society uses the law to express its demands, the demands yield legal responsibilities. Those demands that are social (...) but neither moral nor legal may not be legitimate demands that GM must respond to at all. (shrink)

Past research has identified a number of asymmetries based on moral judgments. Beliefs about what a person values, whether a person is happy, whether a person has shown weakness of will, and whether a person deserves praise or blame seem to depend critically on whether participants themselves find the agent's behavior to be morally good or bad. To date, however, the origins of these asymmetries remain unknown. The present studies examine whether beliefs about an agent's “true self” explain these observed (...) asymmetries based on moral judgment. Using the identical materials from previous studies in this area, a series of five experiments indicate that people show a general tendency to conclude that deep inside every individual there is a “true self” calling him or her to behave in ways that are morally virtuous. In turn, this belief causes people to hold different intuitions about what the agent values, whether the agent is happy, whether he or she has shown weakness of will, and whether he or she deserves praise or blame. These results not only help to answer important questions about how people attribute various mental states to others; they also contribute to important theoretical debates regarding how moral values may shape our beliefs about phenomena that, on the surface, appear to be decidedly non-moral in nature. (shrink)

This is the first study of business ethics to take into consideration the plethora of issues raised by the Information Age. The first study of business ethics to take into consideration the plethora of issues raised by the Information Age. Explores a wide range of topics including marketing, privacy, and the protection of personal information; employees and communication privacy; intellectual property issues; the ethical issues of e-business; Internet-related business ethics problems; and the ethical dimension of information technology on society. Uncovers (...) previous ignored ethical issues. Underlines the need for public discussion of the issues. Argues that computers and information technology have not necessarily developed in the most ethical manner possible. (shrink)

This is the first study of business ethics to take into consideration the plethora of issues raised by the Information Age. The first study of business ethics to take into consideration the plethora of issues raised by the Information Age. Explores a wide range of topics including marketing, privacy, and the protection of personal information; employees and communication privacy; intellectual property issues; the ethical issues of e-business; Internet-related business ethics problems; and the ethical dimension of information technology on society. Uncovers (...) previous ignored ethical issues. Underlines the need for public discussion of the issues. Argues that computers and information technology have not necessarily developed in the most ethical manner possible. (shrink)

This paper illustrates the overlap of computer ethics and business ethics by examining two issues. The first is the lack of fit between digitalized information and copyright protection. Although there are moral arguments that can be used to justify protection of intellectual property, including computer software and digitalized data, the way that copyright protection has developed often reflects vested interests rather than the considered weighing of moral considerations. As a result, with respect to downloading MP3s, among other material, what is (...) ethical is largely determined by the appropriately passed laws in each jurisdiction, and what is ethically permissible in one jurisdiction may be ethically impermissible in another. The second issue is the outsourcing of IT jobs from the U.S. While the practice has been politicized, examining it from an all-things-considered perspective, this paper argues it is ethically justified. (shrink)

The model of free enterprise that has developed in the United States presupposes a value system. The central value is freedom. Next come goods and the means of acquiring them, viz., money and profit. Competition is central. But fairness of transactions is presupposed, and this implies honesty, truthfulness, and general respect for persons. Optimism and faith in the future have been ingredients from the start. Each of these values can be abused, and such abuses characterize the seamy side of capitalism. (...) The Myth of Amoral Business helps undermine the values. Yet the changes American society is demanding of business can be seen as reaffirming the values the system presupposes. The imperative is for business to live up to its own best traditions - a social demand that business can and should meet if it wishes to continue as a system of free enterprise. (shrink)

À la lumière de cas concrets impliquant des universités du Sud comme du Nord et sur la base de l'expérience d'évaluation du réseau international PRELUDE, les auteurs analysent des pratiques de constitution, de capitalisation et de partage des...

This article ana l yses the birth of some n e w female identities in Latin America, mar k e d b y strong cultural inn o v ation. The process of change has been w on b y political st r uggles that h a v e pe r mitted Latin American w omen to g ain some essential rights. More o v er the t e x t describes the compl e xity of syncretising all Lati n America, (...) but the common elements are more important than the di f ferences. H o w e v e r , accepting this d i v ersit y , the great inequality of basic essentials in the relationships be t w een w omen, is producing one v oice, one discourse and one common demand. F inal l y , it sh o ws the political contradictions in w hich contempora ry Latin America w omen l i v e, summoned to pa r ticipate, as mode r n w omen, in the institutions w hen these same institutions put them in positions of social, political and economic subordination. Despite these di f f iculties, it emphasises the political e xperiments that w omen are ca r r ying out to f ind a syncretism without eliminating cultural d i versit y. (shrink)