Volume 3, 2018
Bioethics
Yuehong Han, Yunbao Yang
Pages 49-53
Is ‘Dignity’ a Useless Concept in Bioethics?
In bioethics is ‘dignity’ useful or useless? This is a debate focus in bioethics at present. This paper responds to the ‘useless theory’ and proves that: Firstly, ‘dignity’ cannot be equal to ‘respect’ and has more connotation called ‘surplus’ beyond the ‘respect’. Secondly, in bioethics ‘dignity’ is not only useful but also great useful, and has bioethical fundamental value. Especially “the dignity of human life” is the bioethical core and key value. To protect the dignity of human life is the purpose of bioethics. Thirdly, ‘dignity’ in practical application generally needs to be transited or transformed from the normal values to the basic ethical principles, then to the ‘four principles’, then to the rights.