This is a Ph.D. thesis. The overall objective of this research project is to analyze how normative and
empirical approaches in bioethics should relate to each other in the process of
ethical decision-making. This research project delineated five specific research objectives. Firstly, this research project wants to analyze the evolution and nature of empirical studies in the field of bioethics. Secondly, this research project aims at analyzing the reasons for the limited involvement of social scientists in bioethics and the reasons for the unwelcoming stance of bioethics scientists in bioethics and the reasons for unwelcoming stance of bioethics towards contributions from empirical sciences