Can Ethics Take Pluralism Seriously?
by H. Tristram Engelhardt Jr. Est, there can be no serious question that we live in a world marked by a plurality of moral perspectives. There is profound disagreement regarding the morality of euthanasia, abortion, embryo research, and the use of neocortical (or higher brain centers) oriented definitions of death. Even if we conceded that many (perhaps even most) individuals wish through political structures to realize such societal goals as liberty, equality, security, and prosperity, there is still a dramatic disagreement about how to rank these goals or integrate our concerns regarding them. Individuals and groups disagree regarding their vision of a good society and of good health care. There is a real pluralism with regard to many, if not most, important ethical and bioethical issues. For example, whether embryo research is viewed with moral horror or as a promising technique will depend on the moral community or vision within which the question is considered. Pluralism and relat
