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Zwart H. Care for Language: Etymology as a Continental Argument in Bioethics. J Bioeth Inq. 2021;18(4):645-654doi: 10.1007/s11673-021-10125-z.
Zwart, H. (2021). Care for Language: Etymology as a Continental Argument in Bioethics. Journal of bioethical inquiry, 18(4), 645-654. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11673-021-10125-z
Zwart, Hub. "Care for Language: Etymology as a Continental Argument in Bioethics." Journal of bioethical inquiry vol. 18,4 (2021): 645-654. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11673-021-10125-z
Zwart H. Care for Language: Etymology as a Continental Argument in Bioethics. J Bioeth Inq. 2021 Dec;18(4):645-654. doi: 10.1007/s11673-021-10125-z. Epub 2021 Oct 01. PMID: 34596833; PMCID: PMC8724158.
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J Bioeth Inq. 2021 Dec;18(4):645-654. doi: 10.1007/s11673-021-10125-z. Epub 2021 Oct 01.

Care for Language: Etymology as a Continental Argument in Bioethics.

Journal of bioethical inquiry

Hub Zwart

Affiliations

  1. Dean Erasmus School of Philosophy, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Bayle Building, Room J5-65, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, 3062 PA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. [email protected].

PMID: 34596833 PMCID: PMC8724158 DOI: 10.1007/s11673-021-10125-z

Abstract

Emphasizing the importance of language is a key characteristic of philosophical reflection in general and of bioethics in particular. Rather than trying to eliminate the historicity and ambiguity of language, a continental approach to bioethics will make conscious use of it, for instance by closely studying the history of the key terms we employ in bioethical debates. Continental bioethics entails a focus on the historical vicissitudes of the key signifiers of the bioethical vocabulary, urging us to study the history of terms such as "bioethics," "autonomy," "privacy," and "consensus." Instead of trying to define such terms as clearly and unequivocally as possible, a continental approach rather requires us to take a step backwards, tracing the historical backdrop of the words currently in vogue. By comparing the original meanings of terms with their current meanings, and by considering important moments of transition in their history, obfuscated dimensions of meaning can be retrieved. Thus, notwithstanding a number of methodological challenges involved in etymological exercises, they may foster moral articulacy and enhance our ability to come to terms with moral dilemmas we are facing.

© 2021. The Author(s).

Keywords: Continental bioethics; Continental philosophy of language; Etymology and ethics; Philosophical methodology

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