This week and next, the Center for Bioethics and Culture is running a two-part essay of mine that summarizes some of my recent thoughts on the politics, science and ethics (or lack thereof) of stem cell research in America.
Check out Part 1 here, on Utility vs. Moral Reality… sign up for the newsletter too! It’s a weekly dose of thoughtfulness about the most recent in bioethics.
Part 2 will be a closer look at the crossroads of science and ethics… and some considerations of the “false choice” or false dichotomy that we’re presented. In particular, I’m sadly skeptical that we’ve solved any such dichotomy. I’ll be arguing that while no dichotomy need exist, the language of politics (even when it specifically calls out “false choices”) is unfortunately incapable of uniting these two in a meaningful way, and I wonder if it can ever do anything else but triumph one or the other.
Here are some of the writings that I’ve been forming these thoughts from:
I’m really thankful for the CBC’s unceasing dedication to being a thoughtful, unitive force among such divisive issues. Thanks Jennifer!
Very nice! There is a lot to navigate with this issue and if you are keen on finding some more sources take a look at this one.
Madeleine,
Great to catch your eye – the MandM blog is right in line with what I’m trying to do over here… and I’ve got a special place in my heart for NZ! My wife and I are enrolling for an MA in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics this Fall at Talbot School of Theology… Thanks for your comment!
Wow that is awesome! I don’t suppose they have any vancancies do they? My husband is looking for a philosophy of religion/ethics lectureship.
Yes, we’re very excited. well, i’m not sure, really, since we haven’t started yet, and we’ll just be students. but they’ve been hiring more philosophy faculty at Biola and Talbot over the past several years. The program is definitely growing.