Takahashi, Takao
Title: Professor, (Kumamoto University)
Contact Information:Address Faculty of Letters, 2-40-1 Kurokami,Chuo, Kumamoto City, 860-8555, Japan
Email [email protected]
Office phone 096-342-2405
Preferred means of contact: Email
Courses Taught: Applied Ethics, Foundation of Ethical Theory, Ethics Based on Social Research
Research Interests/Specialized Area:Alied Ethics
Detailed Descriptions: Bioethics, Environmental Ethics, Ethics Based on Social Research
My field of specialty is Applied Ethics.
1.Foundation of Ethics
I consider the fundamentals of ethics are inseparable from our daily lives. More specifically, traditional or present ethics, moral norms, principles
do indeed limit (place restrictions on) our daily actions and behaviors. However, without the support of these actions, norms or principles cannot
be what they are.
Therefore, the focus should be placed on the roles that one holds within daily practices, which in turn stand within the
context of history, rather than viewing ethical or moral norms or principles as prima facie and universal on their own(to speak for themselves).
From over, I believe, examining the situations in which ethics realizes in specific forms is important in ethical research.
Namely, applied ethics is not merely where universal and prima facie ethical principles or norms to be applied. More precisely, it is where
those are to be examined closely, to be tested, and new norms to be discovered.
2. Applied Ethics
Based on the above statements, it is to be concluded that Applied Ethics is not a mere application of ethics. Through considerations in from
Applied Ethics, it is possible for new Ethics to emerge.
The field of Applied Ethics covers a wide range of topics, however, most of my current interests are and on Bioethics on Environmental Ethics
In bioethics, the focus is on concepts such as the rights of patients, human dignity, quality of life, the Principle of Utility, the
principles of self-determination, paternalism, care and so forth in order to consider brain death and organ transplantation, euthanasia
and death with dignity, abortion, human embryos, human cloning, enhancement, and surrogate mother issues.
Environmental Ethics re-conceptualizes such problems as environmental pollution, resources and energy depletion, global warming, conservation of
nature, protection of biodiversity, world population explosion, rights of animals and natural objects, by examining / observing the direction of present
day values and the nature of human beings, technology, and artifacts.
I believe both Bioethics and Environmental are relatively compatible fields of Ethics, rather than to view them in conflict as generally has been stated.
The synthesis of Bioethics and Environmental is required in such areas as human embryo, experimental animals, and issues of future generation,
where two fields of ethics overlap.
I conceptualize this synthesis as centering on the notion of Care.
This view does not simply treat care as relationship between individuals, but a position which understands care to be applied to human embryo,
human fetus, animals and plants, nature, and to the deads and gods.
3. New perspectives on Ethics
If these are true, then, it will become important in ethics to comprehend people’s attitudes on values and life in general, and
situations surrounding them.
Therefore, I strongly believe survey questionnaire and interviews on are very useful in researching attitudes and actual conditions.
However, since these types of research had not been conducted in Ethics, in orders to establish them as a firm methodology, a great
deal of efforts are required. This is a realization of the method, Reflective Equilibrium, as J. Rawls called it.
I conducted several researches over a span of three years with research grants. Since survey questionnaires were conducted among
Middle School and High School students, the researchers was closely related to the current educational issues. The title of this
researcher is “anketo chousa ni motoduku doutokuisiki no shosou ni kansuru kennkyuu [survey research on various aspects of moral
attitudes ].”
This methodology is not limited to the field of education, but is applicable to other fields such as bioethics or environmental ethics.
From 2003, I have been receiving research grants in attempt to synthesize bioethics, environmental ethics and informational ethics.
Here again, theoretical examinations as well as attitudinal research are interdependent.
4.Recent Publications / Representative Publications
Takahashi, T. (2008), Seimei, Kankyou, Kea- Nihonnteki seimeirinnri no kanousei [Life, Environment and Care-
Possibility of Japanese way of bioethics] Kyusyuu Daigaku Shuppann-kai.
Takahahi,T. & Yahata, H.(Eds.) (2008), Jikoketteironn no Yukue [Tracks of the arguments on self-determination], Kyusyuu Daigaku Shuppann-kai.
Takahashi,T. & Asai, A. (Eds.)(2007) , Nihonnno Seimeirinnri - Kaikoto to Tennbou,[Japanese bioethics-
Reviews and Perspectives],Kyusyuu Daigaku Shuppann-kai.
Takahashi, T. (Ed.). (2007). Kougaku Rinnri,[Engineering Ethics], Riko Tosho
Takahashi, T. (Ed.). (2005). Taking Life and Death Seriouly- Bioethics from Japan, Advances in Bioethics, vol.8, Elsevier.
Takahashi, T. (Ed.). (2005). Seimei, Joho, Kikai, [Life, Information and Machine]. Fukuoka, Japan: Kyusyuu Daigaku Shuppann-kai.
Takahasihi. T (Ed.). (2004). Seimei to kannkyou no kyoumei. [Resonance of life and environment]. Fukuoka, Japan: Kyushuu Daigaku Shuppann-kai.
Takahashi, T. & Taguchi, H (Eds.). (2004). “Yokishi no sahou” wo megutte [On “manner of good death”]. Fukuoka, Japan: Kumanichi
Shuppan
Takahashi, T. & Taguchi, H (Eds.). (2003). Yokishi no sahou [Manner of good death]. Fukuoka, Japan: Kyushuu Daigaku Shuppann-kai.
Takahashi, T. (Ed.). (2002). Hito no seimei to ninngenn no sonngenn [Human life and human dignity]. Fukuoka, Japan: Kyushuu Daigaku
Shuppann-kai.
Nakayama, M. & Takahashi, T (Eds.) (2001). Kearonn no shatei [Scope of the theory of care]. Fukuoka, Japan: Kyushuu Daigaku Shuppann-kai.
Takahasihi. T. (2001).Jikokettei no jidai no rinnrigaku [Ethics in the era of self-determination]. Fukuoka, Japan: Kyushuu Daigaku Shuppann-kai.
Takahasihi. T (Ed.). (1999). Idennshi no jidai no rinnri [Ethics in the era of genes]. Fukuoka, Japan: Kyushuu Daigaku Shuppann-kai.
Title: Professor, (Kumamoto University)
Contact Information:Address Faculty of Letters, 2-40-1 Kurokami,Chuo, Kumamoto City, 860-8555, Japan
Email [email protected]
Office phone 096-342-2405
Preferred means of contact: Email
Courses Taught: Applied Ethics, Foundation of Ethical Theory, Ethics Based on Social Research
Research Interests/Specialized Area:Alied Ethics
Detailed Descriptions: Bioethics, Environmental Ethics, Ethics Based on Social Research
My field of specialty is Applied Ethics.
1.Foundation of Ethics
I consider the fundamentals of ethics are inseparable from our daily lives. More specifically, traditional or present ethics, moral norms, principles
do indeed limit (place restrictions on) our daily actions and behaviors. However, without the support of these actions, norms or principles cannot
be what they are.
Therefore, the focus should be placed on the roles that one holds within daily practices, which in turn stand within the
context of history, rather than viewing ethical or moral norms or principles as prima facie and universal on their own(to speak for themselves).
From over, I believe, examining the situations in which ethics realizes in specific forms is important in ethical research.
Namely, applied ethics is not merely where universal and prima facie ethical principles or norms to be applied. More precisely, it is where
those are to be examined closely, to be tested, and new norms to be discovered.
2. Applied Ethics
Based on the above statements, it is to be concluded that Applied Ethics is not a mere application of ethics. Through considerations in from
Applied Ethics, it is possible for new Ethics to emerge.
The field of Applied Ethics covers a wide range of topics, however, most of my current interests are and on Bioethics on Environmental Ethics
In bioethics, the focus is on concepts such as the rights of patients, human dignity, quality of life, the Principle of Utility, the
principles of self-determination, paternalism, care and so forth in order to consider brain death and organ transplantation, euthanasia
and death with dignity, abortion, human embryos, human cloning, enhancement, and surrogate mother issues.
Environmental Ethics re-conceptualizes such problems as environmental pollution, resources and energy depletion, global warming, conservation of
nature, protection of biodiversity, world population explosion, rights of animals and natural objects, by examining / observing the direction of present
day values and the nature of human beings, technology, and artifacts.
I believe both Bioethics and Environmental are relatively compatible fields of Ethics, rather than to view them in conflict as generally has been stated.
The synthesis of Bioethics and Environmental is required in such areas as human embryo, experimental animals, and issues of future generation,
where two fields of ethics overlap.
I conceptualize this synthesis as centering on the notion of Care.
This view does not simply treat care as relationship between individuals, but a position which understands care to be applied to human embryo,
human fetus, animals and plants, nature, and to the deads and gods.
3. New perspectives on Ethics
If these are true, then, it will become important in ethics to comprehend people’s attitudes on values and life in general, and
situations surrounding them.
Therefore, I strongly believe survey questionnaire and interviews on are very useful in researching attitudes and actual conditions.
However, since these types of research had not been conducted in Ethics, in orders to establish them as a firm methodology, a great
deal of efforts are required. This is a realization of the method, Reflective Equilibrium, as J. Rawls called it.
I conducted several researches over a span of three years with research grants. Since survey questionnaires were conducted among
Middle School and High School students, the researchers was closely related to the current educational issues. The title of this
researcher is “anketo chousa ni motoduku doutokuisiki no shosou ni kansuru kennkyuu [survey research on various aspects of moral
attitudes ].”
This methodology is not limited to the field of education, but is applicable to other fields such as bioethics or environmental ethics.
From 2003, I have been receiving research grants in attempt to synthesize bioethics, environmental ethics and informational ethics.
Here again, theoretical examinations as well as attitudinal research are interdependent.
4.Recent Publications / Representative Publications
Takahashi, T. (2008), Seimei, Kankyou, Kea- Nihonnteki seimeirinnri no kanousei [Life, Environment and Care-
Possibility of Japanese way of bioethics] Kyusyuu Daigaku Shuppann-kai.
Takahahi,T. & Yahata, H.(Eds.) (2008), Jikoketteironn no Yukue [Tracks of the arguments on self-determination], Kyusyuu Daigaku Shuppann-kai.
Takahashi,T. & Asai, A. (Eds.)(2007) , Nihonnno Seimeirinnri - Kaikoto to Tennbou,[Japanese bioethics-
Reviews and Perspectives],Kyusyuu Daigaku Shuppann-kai.
Takahashi, T. (Ed.). (2007). Kougaku Rinnri,[Engineering Ethics], Riko Tosho
Takahashi, T. (Ed.). (2005). Taking Life and Death Seriouly- Bioethics from Japan, Advances in Bioethics, vol.8, Elsevier.
Takahashi, T. (Ed.). (2005). Seimei, Joho, Kikai, [Life, Information and Machine]. Fukuoka, Japan: Kyusyuu Daigaku Shuppann-kai.
Takahasihi. T (Ed.). (2004). Seimei to kannkyou no kyoumei. [Resonance of life and environment]. Fukuoka, Japan: Kyushuu Daigaku Shuppann-kai.
Takahashi, T. & Taguchi, H (Eds.). (2004). “Yokishi no sahou” wo megutte [On “manner of good death”]. Fukuoka, Japan: Kumanichi
Shuppan
Takahashi, T. & Taguchi, H (Eds.). (2003). Yokishi no sahou [Manner of good death]. Fukuoka, Japan: Kyushuu Daigaku Shuppann-kai.
Takahashi, T. (Ed.). (2002). Hito no seimei to ninngenn no sonngenn [Human life and human dignity]. Fukuoka, Japan: Kyushuu Daigaku
Shuppann-kai.
Nakayama, M. & Takahashi, T (Eds.) (2001). Kearonn no shatei [Scope of the theory of care]. Fukuoka, Japan: Kyushuu Daigaku Shuppann-kai.
Takahasihi. T. (2001).Jikokettei no jidai no rinnrigaku [Ethics in the era of self-determination]. Fukuoka, Japan: Kyushuu Daigaku Shuppann-kai.
Takahasihi. T (Ed.). (1999). Idennshi no jidai no rinnri [Ethics in the era of genes]. Fukuoka, Japan: Kyushuu Daigaku Shuppann-kai.
Takahashi, Takao
2-40-1 Kurokami , Chuo, Kumamoto
860-8555, Japan TEL&FAX +81-96-342-2405
Copyright (C) 2012 Takahashi,Takao All Rights Reserved.
2-40-1 Kurokami , Chuo, Kumamoto
860-8555, Japan TEL&FAX +81-96-342-2405
Copyright (C) 2012 Takahashi,Takao All Rights Reserved.