The deplorable contrast between intranational and international ethics and the mission of medical science and medical men

SJ Meltzer - Science, 1915 - science.org
SJ Meltzer
Science, 1915science.org
THE chief aim of my remarks is to point out the unique position which medical sciences and
medical men occupy in the horrible\var vvhich is going on between civilized nations.
International morality may possibly derive some permanent benefit from a conscious
knowledge of this position. IIovvever, in order to make my point clear, I shall introduce it by a
discussion of some aspects of ethics. l\foral philosophy assumes for granted that ethical
relations of civilized men are safely established; it concerns itself merely vvith the question …
THE chief aim of my remarks is to point out the unique position which medical sciences and medical men occupy in the horrible\var vvhich is going on between civilized nations. International morality may possibly derive some permanent benefit from a conscious knowledge of this position. IIovvever, in order to make my point clear, I shall introduce it by a discussion of some aspects of ethics. l\foral philosophy assumes for granted that ethical relations of civilized men are safely established; it concerns itself merely vvith the question regarding the nature of the origin of ethical preceptq. In general, it may be admitted that the vast majority of civilized men indeed do not question the correctness of ethical demands. But\vriters on moral philosophy fail to distinguish betvveen intranational and interna-tional ethics. Hence, we find frequently that international occurrences are discussed from the point of view of intranational principles; international occurrences are brought before the forum of a supreme court of the" vorld for judgment, but the merits and demerits of the cases are argued from the point of vie\v of ethics which obtain in intranational moral relations. But the truth is that there is an abyss between the 1'\yO domains of morality. Let us first look at the status of intranational morality. The ethical relations
AAAS