The place of emotions in bioethics

Abstract

This article is an attempt to translate the theory developed in my book, The government of emotions, into the field of bioethics, by arguing that moral motivation largely depends on the place of emotions in the support of fundamental principles or values. In the case of bioethics, introducing the value of patient autonomy in the clinical relationship was an easy task. The same cannot be said of justice or equity. Transforming what we stand for in the field of theory, i.e. equal health for all, into concrete policies and practices is still a pending issue.