Über Ethik und Urteilskraft -
Bioethik in Brasilien -
Nächstenliebe als transgressive Norm

Abstract: General rules and norms are set in relation to a specific situation and unique challenge in every ethical judgement. The structure of this judgement and its underlying anthropological presuppositions are encrypted in concepts like »heart«, »will« or »phronesis«. They were central topics in the biblical tradition and in the writings of Aristotle, Kant and Hannah Arendt. With reference to these »classics« the author describes the relation of the cognitive and emotional dimensions, the foundational role of imagination and the intersubjective, communicative dimension in acts of judging. Kants analysis of the »judgements of taste« – especially the analysis of »reflective judgements« – allows the articulation of truth claims with the status of »subjective universality«. The author states that these judgements are a frame for the interpretation of »religious« forms of expression in which images, symbols and examples play a central role.

Abstract: The Bioethics of Brazil is directed to solidarity of health professionals with those who suffer. In a reality flagged of social exclusion it is necessary to focus medical care on care and healing. The mechanical model of anthropology in medicine needs to be overcome by a sense of the human. The incarnation of the God-human, Jesus Christ, opens perspectives to a reality of love to the fragilized person. Therefore, the futile and obstinated therapeutics extending the moment of death is overcome by the right to die, when our time comes. Human dignity is the consequence of a confession of faith. Parting from this assumption, we affirm the dignity of all creation. Thus, biopiracy, the patent of life beings, is an assault of God’s good creation. Theology seeks paths to overcome the oppression of the poor who are victims of the exploration of natural resources.

Abstract: This article claims that the Christian injunction to love your neighbor refers to a heuristic disposition of human conduct. This has already been shown by Christian Situation Ethics which points to the fact that moral behavior is founded in a response to situational cues. However, as Situation Ethics argues mainly against normative ethics, this article clarifies the Christian ethos in terms of recent theories of contextual social decision-making. It argues that the heuristics of the love of neighbor results neither in the enforcement nor the violation of social norms, but in the transgression of expectations of social conformity.