Masoumeh Abbasian
Pardubice University
This article explores the contributions of Aristotelian ethics to contemporary bioethics and medical ethics, framed by a tribute to Iranian physicians who have sacrificed their lives upholding medical ethics under oppressive regimes—including Dr. Ramin Pour-andarjani, Dr. Abdolreza Soud-bakhsh, and Dr. Ida Rostami. Against this backdrop, the study interrogates how Aristotle’s conception of eudaimonia (human flourishing) revitalizes modern healthcare ethics, offering an antidote to the reductionist biomedical model that prioritizes technical proficiency over moral and holistic patient care. Drawing on Richard Kraut’s interpretations of Aristotelian virtue ethics, the paper argues that eudaimonia provides a robust framework for redefining health beyond mere absence of disease, integrating physical, emotional, social, and intellectual well-being.
The analysis begins by examining the historical divergence of medicine from its ethical foundations, critiquing the Flexnerian emphasis on scientific rigor at the expense of humanistic care. It then demonstrates how virtue ethics—emphasizing physician character, empathy, and practical wisdom (phronesis)—addresses contemporary crises in medical professionalism and patient dehumanization. Case studies in euthanasia (Philippa Foot), abortion (Rosalind Hursthouse), and occupational therapy illustrate how Aristotelian principles resolve bioethical dilemmas by prioritizing contextual moral reasoning over rigid rules.
Central to the argument is a reconceptualization of health as eudaimonic well-being, bridging biomedical and psychosocial dimensions. David Elliot’s bioethical work underscores that flourishing persists even amid illness, challenging static definitions of health. The paper further proposes that a virtue-oriented approach fosters resilience in patients and practitioners. By synthesizing classical philosophy with modern medical humanities, the article advocates for a healthcare paradigm where eudaimonia aligns clinical practice with justice, autonomy, and societal well-being—ultimately affirming medicine’s moral core.
Chair: Paulina Oppermann
Time: 05 September, 10:00 – 10:30
Location: SR 1.004
SOPhiA 2026 