Abstract

The above article discusses the utilitarian term of speciecism and its consequences for medical ethics. Instead of theological sweeping statement the author pleads for a distinguishing discussion of utilitarian positions. Theological criticism of utilitarianism which merely insists on the holiness of human life is insufficient. Even theological ethics have to discuss the problern of weighing goods in medical conflicts. Yet it is not possible, as utilitarianism argues that we can quantify the goods or the sense of life in a quasi-economic way.