Abstract The paper argues that the language of rights is conceptually inadequate for giving precise moral direction to the deliberations that arise above questions in bioethics.

Abstract

The paper argues that the language of rights is conceptually inadequate for giving precise moral direction to the deliberations that arise above questions in bioethics. It begins with background forward the development of the notion of human rights in Western conception and from this attempts to indicate in what sense human rights are morally derivative rather than foundational, and by what mode this fact leads to imprecision in 'rights-discourse'. It cessations by suggesting that the Aristotelian-Thomistic tradition of practical reason, first principles and moral norms is a firmer conceptual foundation for addressing bioethical questions.

Introduction

As advancements in biotechnology