Importance of Principles of Bioethics
- The four principles, especially in the context of bioethics in the United States, has often been critiqued for raising the principle of autonomy to the highest place, such that it trumps all other principles or values. How would you rank the importance of each of the four principles? How do you believe they would be ordered in the context of the Christian biblical narrative?
- What do the four parts of the Christian biblical narrative (i.e., creation, fall, redemption, and restoration) say about the nature of God and of reality in relation to the reality of sickness and disease? From where would one find comfort and hope in the light of illness according to this narrative? Explain in detail each part of the narrative above and analyze the implications.
- The four principles of bioethics – autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice – are often in tension with each other, and the ranking of their importance can depend on the specific context and situation. However, in the United States, autonomy has been elevated to a high position, sometimes at the expense of other principles. This has led to criticism that the other principles, such as beneficence and justice, may be overlooked in certain situations.
In the context of the Christian biblical narrative, the ranking of the four principles may be different. While autonomy is still an important principle, the other principles may be viewed as equally important. For example, the principle of beneficence may be elevated because of the emphasis on loving one’s neighbor and doing good to others in the biblical narrative. The principle of non-maleficence may also be emphasized because of the biblical prohibition against harming others. Justice may be viewed as important because of the biblical call for fairness and equity.
Overall, it is difficult to rank the four principles in a universal way, as their importance can vary depending on the context and values of the individuals involved. However, in the context of the Christian biblical narrative, all four principles may be viewed as important, and each may have different weight depending on the specific situation.
- The Christian biblical narrative is a story that provides a framework for understanding the nature of God, the nature of reality, and the reality of sickness and disease. The narrative is divided into four parts: creation, fall, redemption, and restoration.
Creation: In the creation account in Genesis, God is depicted as the creator of the universe and all that is in it, including humans. This suggests that God has power and authority over all aspects of reality, including sickness and disease.
Fall: The fall refers to the story of Adam and Eve’s disobedience to God in the Garden of Eden, which led to the introduction of sin and evil into the world. This suggests that sickness and disease are a result of humanity’s rebellion against God and the natural order that he created.
Redemption: The redemption part of the narrative is centered on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This suggests that God is not indifferent to the suffering caused by sickness and disease, and that he has provided a way for humans to be reconciled to him and to each other.
Restoration: The restoration part of the narrative looks forward to a time when God will fully restore the world to its original state, free from sickness, disease, and other forms of suffering. This suggests that there is hope for a future without sickness and disease, and that God is working towards that end.
In the light of illness, the Christian biblical narrative offers comfort and hope by emphasizing that God is in control, that suffering is not meaningless, and that there is a future without sickness and disease. The narrative also provides a framework for understanding the role of humans in caring for others who are sick or suffering, through the principle of beneficence and the call to love one’s neighbor as oneself.
