Iranian Journal of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine

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The criteria for human dignity are among the most important topics associated with the concept. Some related questions are what makes man worthy of dignity, and what properties make him more dignified than other creatures? Although biological classifications of species should be considered in humanities, research on dignity must focus on differences that are fundamental and separate humans from all other species. Morphological, genetic and communal differences cannot be the criteria for dignity, and behaviors are subject to individual outlooks. This manner of reasoning guided scholars to categorize humans on the basis of wisdom, but the author of the present article believes that wisdom cannot be the criterion for dignity. There is a degree of intelligence and wisdom in other creatures that is not sufficient to make a fundamental differentiating factor. Like other faculties, wisdom may be regarded as an instrument for a better life. The authors believes that the “authority” to choose (that is, free will) is the essential difference between humans and other creatures because the latter are driven only by their structures or needs. This authority enables people to choose between good and bad or desirable and undesirable, and shapes most human values. Consequently, this authority creates the basis for dignity and any given type of choice passes its value on to the chooser.

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Virtue ethics is an agent-centered approach that is concerned with good and bad character rather than right or wrong action. It is based on the virtues and moral character of the agent. Morality of the physician is emphasized in medicine as well, which demonstrates its affinity with virtue ethics. Nevertheless, a theory of applied or medical ethics should provide a criterion for ethical decision making by instructing what should be done, something which, according to some philosophers, is incompatible with virtue ethics. This article aimed to demonstrate how virtue ethics can offer rules and guidelines by resorting to the moral agent and emphasizing virtues, and help physicians to make decisions when faced with dilemmas. For this purpose, examples about abortion and selling kidneys for transplantation were provided.Some of the most important advantages of virtue ethics include: context-dependence and attention to relevant realities the importance of emotions and the likely motivations of the people involved and finally emphasis on exemplar based on the sensitivity and practical wisdom of the virtuous agent. These advantages cause virtue ethics to be better positioned than other approaches to solving problems in medical ethics.

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Human cloning is among the newest and most advanced technologies in the field of medical sciences and genetics, and has been a popular topic of discussion throughout the 21^st century. The success of scientists in the use of this technology on animals has caused great concern for outstanding thinkers of various fields.

Some issues that necessitate research on this subject include: physical injuries caused by manipulation of ovaries, the cell nucleus, and the embryo the possibility of mental and emotional damage, and premature aging potential threats to human will and discretion a violation of human dignity and conflicts with religions and world-views.

A philosophical outlook on these issues can guide the researcher from the surface to the root of the problem and redirect such concerns, and at the same time shed light on the existing disputes between scholars of natural sciences and humanities regarding the cloning technology. This will be especially true if such an outlook is based on a tradition as rich as the Iranian Islamic philosophy. The present article uses analytical library research to investigate the anthropological teachings of Sadraian philosophy from the ontological and epistemological point of view. The article then proceeds to examine the outcomes and consequences of the cloning technology according to this doctrine.

It seems that the anthropological principles embedded in or hidden behind therapeutic or reproductive cloning technology are not in conflict with Sadraian anthropology.

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