Volume 67 (2012), 1

The author’s suggestion is to abandon Titmussian paradigm of biomedical donorship based on pure altruism and to replace it by a new ethical approach based on the reciprocity/solidarity principle. First, the relationship between altruism and reciprocity is examined. Secondly, the achievements of behavioral sciences and the theory of evolution are used in the… Read more

In spite of the universal moral consensus and a permanent appeal on altruism and solidarity concerning organ donation the number of transplant patients awaiting organs is still considerably greater than the number of organ donors. Most of the current approaches to organ donorship are based on a dualist model of differentiating between body and spirit. Based on the… Read more

The paper provides an account of the pragmatist philosophical conception of „panrelationism“ as the basis of the ethical theories of altruism and reciprocity. The author maintains that ethics is deeply rooted in ontology (metaphysics). The Deweyan concept of transaction is outlined as well. The author attempts to show that altruism is not necessarily only… Read more

The paper tries to show the parallels between altruism and reciprocity as conceived in contemporary debate and the role of reciprocity in social and political life in ancient Greece at the turn of the 6th century B. C. A detailed analysis of Tyrtaeus’ poems as well as a close view on social, political and military systems and strategies serves to unveil the… Read more