New Scientific Publication Explores the Relationship Between Literature and Bioethics
At the end of last year, Logos Verlag Berlin published Literature in Bioethics and Bioethics in Literature, a volume examining the interrelationship between literature and bioethics. The editors of the book are Jana Tomašovičová from the Faculty of Philosophy at Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava and Bogumiła Suwara from the Institute of World Literature of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS).
While bioethics originally developed primarily within a biomedical framework, it has gradually incorporated perspectives from the cultural sciences, the arts, and other humanities disciplines. The rapid development of modern biotechnologies has introduced new themes into literary production, including the enhancement of human abilities and questions surrounding euthanasia. These issues have become powerful sources of inspiration for literary and film narratives. At the same time, they open up new discursive and research spaces, particularly in the field of narrative bioethics. The dynamic growth and practical application of biotechnology confront society with new life situations and moral dilemmas for which we often lack adequate interpretative tools. Traditional normative ethics frequently proves insufficient in addressing emerging challenges, prompting the search for alternative methodological approaches.
The studies included in this volume explore the connections between literature and bioethics and highlight their considerable potential to foster critical thinking and to help shape visions of social development. They also demonstrate that cultivating narrative competencies is an essential part of broader bioethical reflection, strengthening the moral capacities needed to address complex ethical issues.
The book is primarily intended for undergraduate and graduate students in literature, the humanities, and bioethics who seek to understand narrative approaches to bioethical topics better. It will also be of interest to academics and researchers in literary studies, philosophy, ethics, and cultural studies, as well as to teachers who may use it as a resource for interdisciplinary courses on literature and bioethics.
The publication is available in open access in PDF format HERE.
This work is distributed under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence.
Prepared by: Peter Zlatoš, Institute of World Literature SAS
Photo: Institute of World Literature SAS