[Javier Sádaba: A bioethics against suffering]

Abstract

The philosopher Javier Sádaba (Portugalete, 1940) is the author of an extensive work in the field of bioethics. It is a procedural bioethics (based on the agreement between the participants, not on absolute truths), casuistry (is based on the analysis of specific problem cases), social (evaluates the context in decision-making), gradual (considers other species, is not "narcissistically human"), and secular (autonomous with respect to religion). Sádaba has also opted for an affirmative bioethics, which seeks to improve the living conditions of humans (in medicine, the quality of life). This is difficult to construct because, for the philosopher, the duty and to establish limits are infinitely easier to elaborate than the specific good and to pursue happiness. In its application to medicine, Sádaba's bioethics focuses on avoiding unnecessary suffering, because suffering does not contribute anything positive and hinders happiness. Likewise, he strives to extract the best of science and open the doors to everything that can bring improvements for the human being, but without ceasing to mention responsibility, because man is capable of the best and the worst. From this perspective, the author is faced with the bioethical issues, leaving the greatest possible margin to freedom of choice.

Keywords: Bioethics; Bioética; Calidad de vida; Clinical ethics; Psychological stress; Quality of life; Sufrimiento psicológico; Ética clínica.