WAS TUT GUT? - Universiteit Twente

therefore become necessary to find new starting - points and to rephrase the medical
- ethical discourse.
In the search for alternative concepts the author encounters well - known,
mainly American philosophers who represent, as opposed to the Kantian tradition, a
more contextual approach of philosophy. In her book Moral boundaries: A Political
Argument for an Ethic of Care Joan Tronto, for instance, claims that the philosophy
based entirely on rationality should be put in a historical perspective.
This analysis is used by the author as a theoretical lever to free herself of the
– especially in Germany – powerful dominance of the Kantian inheritance. She also
also pays attention to the influential American bio-ethicist Leon Kass, because she
feels that his book Life, Liberty and the Defence of Dignity deserves particular notice.
Furthermore she sets out to develop my principles in dealing with medical -
technological innovations. She puts forward the proposition that technical
development should contribute to a clear individual picture of a “gratifying” life. A
reflection on the objectives of human conduct would constitute a basis for the
judgment of phenomena; it allows distinguishing between the developments that
contribute to the “success” of a life and the ones that do not.
Methodically the author has been inspired by Hans Jonas’ book Das Prinzip
Verantwortung (The Principle of Responsibility) in which he uses a heuristic key, as a
pair of glasses, which clearly show certain connections in an otherwise complex and
muddled whole. She does not, however, choose the same heuristic principle as
Jonas, whose recommendation of “fear” as the deciding factor in the observation of
technology has for decades given shape to the reality of the German Federal
Republic.
Instead of fear the author presents “Joy of Living”, the old eudemonic
guideline, as the heuristic principle that gives information about the objectives of a
gratifying life. She looks at its various aspects and refers to three philosophical
traditions: the concept of biophily as it is described by Erich Fromm, the principles of
Epicure and the Philosophy of the Art of Living, which is of all times, and which finds
at present an advocate in Wilhelm Schmid. Based on these concepts she works out a
series of social and individual presuppositions and conditions for dealing with
medical-technological innovations, which would have to be considered when looking
for ways to use technology as a tool to add to the joy of living.
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