The relevance of affected persons, the public, and deliberation for the empirical turn in medical ethics

Abstract

Definition of the problem One important potential of socio-empirical research is the increase of context sensitivity, the detection of social and institutional roles and the positioning of so far silent voices. However, there is a risk that socio-empirical surveys and opinion polls replace deliberation and argumentation. Thus, the participatory turn as recently observed in the social sciences gives reason to reflect upon socio-empirical methods. Arguments A critical reflection with concepts of being affected, the public and expertise is important from a methodological as well from a normative point of view. T his is especially true for any ethical approach that basically shares the importance of argumentative deliberation and democratic rules in a society. Conclusion If bioethics is seen as part of a public discourse the question of adequate representation of specific perspectives and of different views is as important as the justification of specific norms. Both are at least a core request of bioethical reflection.