Abstract
In this article, we sketch a new approach to law and ethics. The traditional paradigm, exemplified in the debate on liberal moralism, becomes increasingly inadequate. Its basic assumptions are that there are clear moral norms of positive or critical morality, and that making statutory norms is an effective method to have citizens conform to those norms. However, for many ethical issues that are on the legislative agenda, e.g. with respect to bioethics and anti-discrimination law, the moral norms are controversial, vague or still evolving. Moreover, law proves not to be a very effective instrument. Therefore, we need a new paradigm, both for descriptive and for normative analysis. This interactive paradigm, as a normative position, can be summarised in two theses. The process of legislation on ethical issues should be structured as a process of interaction between the legislature and society or relevant sectors of society, so that the development of new moral norms and the development of new legal norms may reinforce each other. And legislation on ethical issues should be designed in such a way that it is an effective form of communication which, moreover, facilitates an ongoing moral debate and an ongoing reflection on such issues, because this is the best method to ensure that the practice remains oriented to the ideals and values the law tries to realise.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Brom, F.W.A., Onherstelbaar verbeterd: Biotechnologie bij dieren als een moreel probleem, PhD dissertation Utrecht University. Assen: Van Gorcum, 1997.
Brom, F.W.A., Developing Public Morality: Between Practical Agreement and Intersubjective Reflective Equilibrium, in W. van der Burg and Th. van Willigenburg (eds.), Reflective Equilibrium. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1998, pp. 191–202.
Brom, F.W.A., The Use of 'Intrinsic Value of Animals' in the Netherlands, in M. Dol et al. (eds.), Recognizing the Intrinsic Value of Animals: Beyond Animal Welfare. Assen: Van Gorcum, 1999, pp. 15–28.
Dworkin, R. (ed.), The Philosophy of Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1977.
Dworkin, R. Taking Rights Seriously. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1978.
Feinberg, J., The Moral Limits of the Criminal Law. I. Harm to Others (1984); II. Offence to Others (1985); III. Harm to Self (1986); IV. Harmless Wrongdoing (1994). New York/Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Griffiths, J., A. Bood and H. Weyers, Euthanasia and Law in the Netherlands. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 1998.
Hart, H.L.A., Law, Liberty and Morality. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1963.
Heeger, F.R., What is meant by the 'Turn to Applied Ethics'? in F.R. Heeger and Th. van Willigenburg (eds.), The Turn to Applied Ethics: Practical Consequences for Research, Education, and the Role of Ethicists in Public Debate. Kampen: Kok/Pharos, 1993, pp. 9–16.
Hertogh, M.L.M., Consequenties van controle: De bestuurlijke doorwerking van het oordeel van de administratieve rechter en de nationale Ombudsman, PhD dissertation Leiden University. Amsterdam: VUGA, 1997.
Nonet, Ph. and Ph. Selznick, Law and Society in Transition: Toward Responsive Law. New York: Harper & Row, 1978.
Postema, G., Public Faces-Private Places: Liberalism and the Enforcement of Morality, in A.W. Musschenga, B. Voorzanger and A. Soeteman (eds.), Morality, Worldview and Law: The Idea of a Universal Morality and Its Critics. Assen: Van Gorcum, 1992, pp. 153–175.
Skolnick, J.H., Coercion to Virtue, Southern California Review 41(3) (1968), pp. 588–641.
Van der Burg, W. Het democratisch perspectief: Een verkenning van de normatieve grondslagen der democratie, PhD dissertation Utrecht University. Arnhem: Gouda Quint, 1991.
Van der Burg, W., Equality versus Religious Freedom, Archiv für Rechts-und Sozialphilosophie 78 (1992), pp. 211–218.
Van der Burg, W., Legislation on Human Embryos: From Status Theories to Value Theories, Archiv für Rechts-und Sozialphilosophie 82(1) (1996), pp. 73–87.
Van Klink, B.M.J., De wet als symbool: Over wettelijke communicatie en de Wet gelijke behandeling van mannen en vrouwen bij de arbeid, PhD dissertation Tilburg University. Deventer: W.E.J. Tjeenk Willink, 1998.
Vorstenbosch, J. and P. Ippel, De weg naar de wet, wetgeving over ethische kwesties: Een interactief proces, in W. van der Burg and P. Ippel (eds.), De Siamese tweeling: Recht en moraal in de biomedische praktijk. Assen: Van Gorcum, 1994, pp. 49–67.
Witsen, H.M., Rechtskundige beschouwingen over vivisectie, PhD dissertation University of Amsterdam. Amsterdam: Van Munster, 1888.
Witteveen, W.J., De jacht op de wet, in W.J. Witteveen, P. van Seters and G. van Roermund (eds.), Wat maakt de wet symbolisch? Zwolle: W.E.J. Tjeenk Willink, 1991, pp. 115–136.
Wittteveen, W.J., Delegeren is communiceren, in Delegatie van wetgevende bevoegdheid, Preadviezen Vereniging voor wetgeving en wetgevingsbeleid. Alphen aan de Rijn: Samsom/H.D. Tjeenk Willink, 1992, pp. 46–98.
Witteveen, W.J., P. van Seters and G. van Roermund, Wat maakt de wet symbolisch? Zwolle: W.E.J. Tjeenk Willink, 1991.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Van der Burg, W., Brom, F. Legislation on Ethical Issues: Towards an Interactive Paradigm. Ethical Theory and Moral Practice 3, 57–75 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009987819400
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009987819400