RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Religion, secular medicine and utilitarianism: a response to Biggar
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 867
OP 869
DO 10.1136/medethics-2015-102786
VO 41
IS 11
A1 Kevin R Smith
YR 2015
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/41/11/867.abstract
AB Nigel Biggar has argued that religion ought to be given a seat at the negotiating table of medical ethics. I respond in broadly utilitarian terms, arguing that the flawed empirical basis, lack of rationality and non-universality inherent in religion disqualify it from ethical discourse. I conclude that while it would be unacceptable to attempt to debar religious individuals from the negotiating table, an exclusively secular approach is required for ethical decision making in medicine.