Abstract
Even if somebody considers inappropriate any geographic adjective for Bioethics, nevertheless we think that there are some specific features of “Mediterranean” Bioethics that could distinguish it from a “Northern-European and Northern-American” one. First of all we must consider that medical ethics was born and grew in Mediterranean area. First by the thought of great Greek philosophers as Aristotle (that analyse what ethics is), then by Hippocrates, the “father” of medical ethics. The ethical pattern of Aristotle was based on “virtues” and their practice. In this perspective we can already note a strong difference with actual North-European or American principialist ethics. But a second consideration concerns the role that great Mediterranean religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) had in the construction of the ethical thought especially on the matter of life and its respect. So, in our pluralistic and multicultural society is absolutely necessary to rescue an approach that considers both “lungs” of ethical thought (Mediterranean and Northern one) and highlights the role that Mediterranean Ethics still has in this way.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Agius, Emanuel. 2004. In search of a European approach to Bioethics: The emergence of a common Euro-Mediterranean bioethical culture. In: In Joyful and serene service of his lord’s word, ed. Abela, A, 29–48. Melita Theologica Supplementary Series, 5. Malta: Veritas Press.
Agius, Emanuel. 2007. Disabilità, Bioetica e Diritti Umani: Una prospettiva Euro-Mediterranean. In: Proceedings of the third international congress: Towards a new humanism, ethics and disability, eds. Camozzino, M., and Ruffinatto, P., 42–50: 33–330. Roma: Comas Grafica.
Aristotele. Politikè VII, 16.
Gual, García (ed.). 1986. Tratados hipocrático, I. Madrid: Gredos.
Grima, George. 1996. Sul concetto di una bioetica mediterranea. In: Bioetica mediterranea e nordeuropea, ed. S. Privitera, 17–33. Roma: Armando.
Hamid-Haddarah, Abd-Hal. 1985. Il diritto a nascere nella concezione islamica, in: Il valore della vita, 92–100. Milano: Vita e Pensiero.
Mishnah. Sahnedrin 4:5.
Privitera, Salvatore (ed.). 1996. Bioetica mediterranea e nordeuropea. Armando: Roma.
Savignano, Armando. 1995. Bioetica mediterranea. Pisa: ETS.
Tonči, Matulić. 2007. Researching the roots of Mediterranean Bioethics. The ethics of virtue and happiness as condition sine qua non. Filozofska istraživanja 27–3: 529–550.
Vegetti, Mario (ed.). 1976. Opere di Ippocrate. Torino: UTET.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Leone, S. The features of a “Mediterranean” Bioethics. Med Health Care and Philos 15, 431–436 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-012-9401-0
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-012-9401-0