Bioethics as Argumentation: the Bioethical Conception of Manuel Atienza

This paper addresses the main features of Manuel Atienza's bioethics. First, his paper "Juridificar la bioetica" is summarized. Second, Atienza's conception of bioethics as argumentation is illustrated with three types of arguments frequently used by the author: the argument of (un)reasonableness and the appeal to reasonable consensus, the argument of (in)coherence and the argument by normative or factual consequences. Third, an account of moral objectivism as the ultimate foundation of Atienza's bioethical argumentation is provided, by paying special attention to the idea of dignity.