Discussing Jesse Prinz’s views on metaethics, the author argues (1) that, as far as epistemic emo... more Discussing Jesse Prinz’s views on metaethics, the author argues (1) that, as far as epistemic emotionism is concerned, this account does not demonstrate that the right order of causation proceed in all cases from emotions to judgments; does not disprove the possibility of dispassionate judgments; has no persuasive explanation of the distinction between moral and conventional rules; cannot account for autistic morality; and 2) that, as far as metaphysical emotionism is concerned, this account offers a much too deflationary account of moral disagreement. The latter can be best understood within an objectivistic account of the facts (including pro-attitudes such as emotions and sentiments) that provide the best reasons for action.
This paper presents different conceptions of neuroethics, focusing both on applications of neuros... more This paper presents different conceptions of neuroethics, focusing both on applications of neuroscience aiming to provide access to other people's minds and on the theoretical study of the neural bases of moral judgement and decision making. It is argued that these studies have not yet seriously undermined the traditional view of humans as moral free agents, nor have they accomplished the radical naturalisation of ethics that is sometimes promised or predicted. A few implications for normative ethics and moral epistemology are also discussed.
Despite moral uncertainty, the physician must respond when a patient complains that "God has forg... more Despite moral uncertainty, the physician must respond when a patient complains that "God has forgotten me". In part one of this article, I, (R.S), describe in some detail my response to the individual who prefers death to life, and I end this section with the question: "Is what I do morally acceptable?" In part two of the article a philosopher-bioethicist, (M.R.), replies to my question: his answer-one of many possible answers-centers on the Catholic concept of proportionality. Although arguments based on moral philosophy suggest that my behavior is within moral limits, my doubts remain.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling triggered a global debate about access to abortion and the ... more The U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling triggered a global debate about access to abortion and the legislative models governing it. In the United States, there was a sudden reversal of federal guidance about pregnancy termination that is unprecedented in Western and high-income countries. The strong polarization on the issue of abortion and the difficulty of finding a point of compromise lead one to consider the experiences of countries that have had different paths. Italy stands as a candidate for being a partially alternative model because it allows abortion up to 12 weeks, but without considering it a subjective right. The legislation in place since 1978 aims to balance the interests of the fetus and those of the woman. An issue often raised concerning Italian law is that of conscientious objection granted to doctors. Many gynecologists declare themselves objectors, and this makes access to abortion more difficult in some regions of Italy. After discussing this issue and envisaging...
Human brain organoids (HBOs) are three-dimensional biological entities grown in the laboratory in... more Human brain organoids (HBOs) are three-dimensional biological entities grown in the laboratory in order to recapitulate the structure and functions of the adult human brain. They can be taken to be novel living entities for their specific features and uses. As a contribution to the ongoing discussion on the use of HBOs, the authors identify three sets of reasons for moral concern. The first set of reasons regards the potential emergence of sentience/consciousness in HBOs that would endow them with a moral status whose perimeter should be established. The second set of moral concerns has to do with an analogy with artificial womb technology. The technical realization of processes that are typically connected to the physiology of the human body can create a manipulatory and instrumental attitude that can undermine the protection of what is human. The third set concerns the new frontiers of biocomputing and the creation of chimeras. As far as the new frontier of organoid intelligence i...
Medicina Y Etica Revista Internacional De Bioetica Deontologia Y Etica Medica, 1997
Se analizan las criticas que hacen Rachels y Kuhse, exponentes autorizados del utilitarismo anglo... more Se analizan las criticas que hacen Rachels y Kuhse, exponentes autorizados del utilitarismo anglosajon, a la teoria de la sacralidad de la vida en relacion con el problema de la eutanasia. En estos dos autores se muestra de manera evidente un radical malentendido de la naturaleza de la etica, debido al caracter rigidamente consecuencialista de su enfoque. El utilitarismo demuestra no estar preparado para discernir los caracteres moralmente relevantes en las situaciones complejas propuestas por las fases terminales de la vida. El autor demuestra, luego, como los tradicionales princi´pios del doble efecto y de la proporcionalidad de los cuidados se prestan a una mas adecuada interpretacion de la experiencia concreta del actuar moral
An accurate descriptive analysis and evaluation of the book by Paolo Becchi Vital questions. Euth... more An accurate descriptive analysis and evaluation of the book by Paolo Becchi Vital questions. Euthanasia and cloning in the current bioethical debate. Becchi, philosopher of jurisprudence sets forth well discussed texts which are free of ideological conditioning, on two crucial themes of the contemporary debate : euthanasia and cloning. There are some reservations regarding the end of life. A book worth reading both for its content and for the methodology that characterises it.
Razionalità, capacità, identità. Nuove frontiere della responsabilità giuridica, 2023
Sommario: 1. Razionalismo e sentimentalismo nella tradizione filosofica-2. Neosentimentalismo-3. ... more Sommario: 1. Razionalismo e sentimentalismo nella tradizione filosofica-2. Neosentimentalismo-3. La teoria del doppio processo-4. Aspetti critici e approcci alternativi-5. Conclusioni.
Human brain organoids (HBOs) are three-dimensional biological entities grown in the laboratory in... more Human brain organoids (HBOs) are three-dimensional biological entities grown in the laboratory in order to recapitulate the structure and functions of the adult human brain. They can be taken to be novel living entities for their specific features and uses. As a contribution to the ongoing discussion on the use of HBOs, the authors identify three sets of reasons for moral concern. The first set of reasons regards the potential emergence of sentience/consciousness in HBOs that would endow them with a moral status whose perimeter should be established. The second set of moral concerns has to do with an analogy with artificial womb technology. The technical realization of processes that are typically connected to the physiology of the human body can create a manipulatory and instrumental attitude that can undermine the protection of what is human. The third set concerns the new frontiers of biocomputing and the creation of chimeras. As far as the new frontier of organoid intelligence is concerned, it is the close relationship of humans with new interfaces having biological components capable of mimicking memory and cognition that raises ethical issues. As far as chimeras are concerned, it is the humanization of nonhuman animals that is worthy of close moral scrutiny. A detailed description of these ethical issues is provided to contribute to the construction of a regulative framework that can guide decisions when considering research in the field of HBOs.
The U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs ruling triggered a global debate about access to abortion and the ... more The U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs ruling triggered a global debate about access to abortion and the legislative models governing it. In the United States, there was a sudden reversal of federal guidance about pregnancy termination that is unprecedented in Western and high-income countries. The strong polarization on the issue of abortion and the difficulty of finding a point of compromise lead one to consider the experiences of countries that have had different paths. Italy stands as a candidate for being a partially alternative model because it allows abortion up to 12 weeks, but without considering it a subjective right. The legislation in place since 1978 aims to balance the interests of the fetus and those of the woman. An issue often raised concerning Italian law is that of conscientious objection granted to doctors. Many gynecologists declare themselves objectors, and this makes access to abortion more difficult in some regions of Italy. After discussing this issue and envisaging different ways to deal with it, the article concludes by highlighting new dilemmas about a possible divorce between the law and medical ethics in different directions and offers some avenues to begin setting up a response.
Discussing Jesse Prinz’s views on metaethics, the author argues (1) that, as far as epistemic emo... more Discussing Jesse Prinz’s views on metaethics, the author argues (1) that, as far as epistemic emotionism is concerned, this account does not demonstrate that the right order of causation proceed in all cases from emotions to judgments; does not disprove the possibility of dispassionate judgments; has no persuasive explanation of the distinction between moral and conventional rules; cannot account for autistic morality; and 2) that, as far as metaphysical emotionism is concerned, this account offers a much too deflationary account of moral disagreement. The latter can be best understood within an objectivistic account of the facts (including pro-attitudes such as emotions and sentiments) that provide the best reasons for action.
This paper presents different conceptions of neuroethics, focusing both on applications of neuros... more This paper presents different conceptions of neuroethics, focusing both on applications of neuroscience aiming to provide access to other people's minds and on the theoretical study of the neural bases of moral judgement and decision making. It is argued that these studies have not yet seriously undermined the traditional view of humans as moral free agents, nor have they accomplished the radical naturalisation of ethics that is sometimes promised or predicted. A few implications for normative ethics and moral epistemology are also discussed.
Despite moral uncertainty, the physician must respond when a patient complains that "God has forg... more Despite moral uncertainty, the physician must respond when a patient complains that "God has forgotten me". In part one of this article, I, (R.S), describe in some detail my response to the individual who prefers death to life, and I end this section with the question: "Is what I do morally acceptable?" In part two of the article a philosopher-bioethicist, (M.R.), replies to my question: his answer-one of many possible answers-centers on the Catholic concept of proportionality. Although arguments based on moral philosophy suggest that my behavior is within moral limits, my doubts remain.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling triggered a global debate about access to abortion and the ... more The U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling triggered a global debate about access to abortion and the legislative models governing it. In the United States, there was a sudden reversal of federal guidance about pregnancy termination that is unprecedented in Western and high-income countries. The strong polarization on the issue of abortion and the difficulty of finding a point of compromise lead one to consider the experiences of countries that have had different paths. Italy stands as a candidate for being a partially alternative model because it allows abortion up to 12 weeks, but without considering it a subjective right. The legislation in place since 1978 aims to balance the interests of the fetus and those of the woman. An issue often raised concerning Italian law is that of conscientious objection granted to doctors. Many gynecologists declare themselves objectors, and this makes access to abortion more difficult in some regions of Italy. After discussing this issue and envisaging...
Human brain organoids (HBOs) are three-dimensional biological entities grown in the laboratory in... more Human brain organoids (HBOs) are three-dimensional biological entities grown in the laboratory in order to recapitulate the structure and functions of the adult human brain. They can be taken to be novel living entities for their specific features and uses. As a contribution to the ongoing discussion on the use of HBOs, the authors identify three sets of reasons for moral concern. The first set of reasons regards the potential emergence of sentience/consciousness in HBOs that would endow them with a moral status whose perimeter should be established. The second set of moral concerns has to do with an analogy with artificial womb technology. The technical realization of processes that are typically connected to the physiology of the human body can create a manipulatory and instrumental attitude that can undermine the protection of what is human. The third set concerns the new frontiers of biocomputing and the creation of chimeras. As far as the new frontier of organoid intelligence i...
Medicina Y Etica Revista Internacional De Bioetica Deontologia Y Etica Medica, 1997
Se analizan las criticas que hacen Rachels y Kuhse, exponentes autorizados del utilitarismo anglo... more Se analizan las criticas que hacen Rachels y Kuhse, exponentes autorizados del utilitarismo anglosajon, a la teoria de la sacralidad de la vida en relacion con el problema de la eutanasia. En estos dos autores se muestra de manera evidente un radical malentendido de la naturaleza de la etica, debido al caracter rigidamente consecuencialista de su enfoque. El utilitarismo demuestra no estar preparado para discernir los caracteres moralmente relevantes en las situaciones complejas propuestas por las fases terminales de la vida. El autor demuestra, luego, como los tradicionales princi´pios del doble efecto y de la proporcionalidad de los cuidados se prestan a una mas adecuada interpretacion de la experiencia concreta del actuar moral
An accurate descriptive analysis and evaluation of the book by Paolo Becchi Vital questions. Euth... more An accurate descriptive analysis and evaluation of the book by Paolo Becchi Vital questions. Euthanasia and cloning in the current bioethical debate. Becchi, philosopher of jurisprudence sets forth well discussed texts which are free of ideological conditioning, on two crucial themes of the contemporary debate : euthanasia and cloning. There are some reservations regarding the end of life. A book worth reading both for its content and for the methodology that characterises it.
Razionalità, capacità, identità. Nuove frontiere della responsabilità giuridica, 2023
Sommario: 1. Razionalismo e sentimentalismo nella tradizione filosofica-2. Neosentimentalismo-3. ... more Sommario: 1. Razionalismo e sentimentalismo nella tradizione filosofica-2. Neosentimentalismo-3. La teoria del doppio processo-4. Aspetti critici e approcci alternativi-5. Conclusioni.
Human brain organoids (HBOs) are three-dimensional biological entities grown in the laboratory in... more Human brain organoids (HBOs) are three-dimensional biological entities grown in the laboratory in order to recapitulate the structure and functions of the adult human brain. They can be taken to be novel living entities for their specific features and uses. As a contribution to the ongoing discussion on the use of HBOs, the authors identify three sets of reasons for moral concern. The first set of reasons regards the potential emergence of sentience/consciousness in HBOs that would endow them with a moral status whose perimeter should be established. The second set of moral concerns has to do with an analogy with artificial womb technology. The technical realization of processes that are typically connected to the physiology of the human body can create a manipulatory and instrumental attitude that can undermine the protection of what is human. The third set concerns the new frontiers of biocomputing and the creation of chimeras. As far as the new frontier of organoid intelligence is concerned, it is the close relationship of humans with new interfaces having biological components capable of mimicking memory and cognition that raises ethical issues. As far as chimeras are concerned, it is the humanization of nonhuman animals that is worthy of close moral scrutiny. A detailed description of these ethical issues is provided to contribute to the construction of a regulative framework that can guide decisions when considering research in the field of HBOs.
The U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs ruling triggered a global debate about access to abortion and the ... more The U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs ruling triggered a global debate about access to abortion and the legislative models governing it. In the United States, there was a sudden reversal of federal guidance about pregnancy termination that is unprecedented in Western and high-income countries. The strong polarization on the issue of abortion and the difficulty of finding a point of compromise lead one to consider the experiences of countries that have had different paths. Italy stands as a candidate for being a partially alternative model because it allows abortion up to 12 weeks, but without considering it a subjective right. The legislation in place since 1978 aims to balance the interests of the fetus and those of the woman. An issue often raised concerning Italian law is that of conscientious objection granted to doctors. Many gynecologists declare themselves objectors, and this makes access to abortion more difficult in some regions of Italy. After discussing this issue and envisaging different ways to deal with it, the article concludes by highlighting new dilemmas about a possible divorce between the law and medical ethics in different directions and offers some avenues to begin setting up a response.
Fondamento dell’utilitarismo è l’idea che lo scopo ultimo dell’azione sociale stia nella produzio... more Fondamento dell’utilitarismo è l’idea che lo scopo ultimo dell’azione sociale stia nella produzione della massima felicità. Una linea di pensiero che risale all’antichità, ma che trova una compiuta formulazione in Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832), il filosofo e giurista inglese fautore della libertà personale ed economica, nonché della separazione di Stato e chiesa. Il volume ricostruisce lo sviluppo dell’utilitarismo come teoria morale, individuandone i tratti costitutivi e passando in rassegna le varie declinazioni che ne sono state proposte dall’Ottocento a oggi.
A partire da una breve analisi dei modi in cui la nozione di coscienza morale è utilizzata e dei ... more A partire da una breve analisi dei modi in cui la nozione di coscienza morale è utilizzata e dei significati che assume nel linguaggio ordinario, il volume propone una disamina storica dell’ascesa e del declino di questo costrutto nella filosofia e nella teologia occidentali. Nelle conclusioni si forniscono indicazioni sul possibile ruolo della coscienza nella teoria morale.
Tra l’autunno del 2007 e la primavera del 2008 è stata organizzata presso il Centro per le Scienz... more Tra l’autunno del 2007 e la primavera del 2008 è stata organizzata presso il Centro per le Scienze Religiose della Fondazione Bruno Kessler un’intensa attività seminariale sul tema della vita e della sua presunta sacralità. I risultati di questo lavoro comune sono confluiti (in parte) in un numero monografico di "Fenomenologia e società" (4/2008). Questo è il volume così come l'avevamo concepito originariamente. Dopo più di dieci anni non ha perso la sua attualità. ****** Between the Fall and Spring semesters of 2007-2008, a series of workshops on the topic of life and its alleged sacredness were organized at the Center for Religious Studies of the Fondazione Bruno Kessler. This joint effort led (among other things) to a special issue of "Fenomenologia e società" (4/2008). This is the volume as it was originally designed. After more than 10 years, it hasn't lost an ounce of its relevance.
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Between the Fall and Spring semesters of 2007-2008, a series of workshops on the topic of life and its alleged sacredness were organized at the Center for Religious Studies of the Fondazione Bruno Kessler. This joint effort led (among other things) to a special issue of "Fenomenologia e società" (4/2008). This is the volume as it was originally designed. After more than 10 years, it hasn't lost an ounce of its relevance.