Bioethics : the case for a health ethics council

Abstract

All ethical issues have ultimately to be resolved by the tribunal of every individual conscience opting for a particular course. This is not however to be seen as a refusal of extra-personal influences on the decision-making progress. As a matter of every day experience very few moral deliberations are made solely by picking -pelican like- at one's own authochthonous reflections. Again when we refer to natural law as being ingrained in every person's inner nature, and resorting to this inner source of direction, we are not implying a renounciation to a cultural elaboration of the canonical norms regulating our behaviour. The Natural Law itself as a concept is a cultural achievement, even if grounded on an elemental existential realization. Teaching or argument constitute no infringement, or indeed interference with liberty of constant or ultimate liberum arbitrium. Education is a constant element of freedom. A proper decision must be the result of the fullest possible information. Without formation and information the animula vagula blandula might be unbalanced by the flimsiest of whims or advance into the blind limbo of every moment's occasion with the sole guide of a walking stick's tentative soundings.