EACME Newsletter 25

Download the full August 2010 EACME Newsletter

Contents

EDITORIAL R. Porz

LETTER OF THE PRESIDENT G. Widdershoven

INTERVIEW S. REITER-THEIL 

INTERVIEW P. BORRY 4

ETHICS AND MEDIA: THE BRUTALITY OF REALITY  J. Martin

THESIS: Rational Suicide in Schizophrenia  J. Hewitt

ETHIQUE DANS UN MONDE CUPIDE J. Martin

THESIS: Ethics at the interface of reproductive medicine and genetic technology: the case of mitochondrial disorders  A. Bredenoord

BOOK REVIEW

Cutting through the surface. Philosophical approaches to bioethics. By Tuija Takala, Peter Herissone-Kelly, and Sören Holm  R. Porz

INNOVATION IN TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT OF MEDICAL ETHICS AND LAW  G. Stirrat

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DEADLINE NEXT NEWSLETTER 

EDITORIAL BOARD

Editorial

As a philosopher, I quite often try to think about the very core of human beings. What does it really mean to be human? What is the most important feature of our conditio humana? For some time, I have thought that perhaps the core feature of human beings is not individualistic, but rather a commonality of the human race as a species, namely our cultural revolution. But then I thought, maybe the core of a human being is his or her practical wisdom, or the capability to reflect upon oneself (I know that this is pretty much linked to our cultural evolution but – dear reader – wait a second, I am just trying to build my argument). So, what makes us human? Is it our capability to think about our own life, and to be able to decipher our own tragedies? Sometimes – especially when I am visiting  my home country, good old Germany – I tend to think that the core feature of modern homo sapiens are their capability to permanently complain, moan and lament about what has gone wrong. But this year’s soccer world cup has made me know it better. Forget about lamenting, cultural wisdom or existential reflection. The most typical core feature of our conditio humana is our addiction to predictions. We always want to know in advance what the future may bring. Who is going to win the game, who is going to get the cup?

Download the full August 2010 EACME Newsletter