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Université de Sherbrooke

De la décolonisation du discours de la bioéthique à une bioéthique ivoirienne efficiente

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

This thesis entitled "From the Decolonization of Bioethics Discourse to an Efficient Ivorian Bioethics" is rooted in a critical reflection aimed at adapting universal bioethical frameworks to the sociocultural realities of Côte d'Ivoire. It stems from the observation that dominant bioethical paradigms, heavily influenced by individualistic and universalist principles rooted in Western culture, are often ill-suited to African societies where communal, spiritual, and tradition-based approaches play a central role. These paradigms, codified in documents such as the Nuremberg Code and the Declaration of Helsinki, struggle to effectively integrate into the Ivorian context, thereby deepening the disconnect between international norms and local practices. This disconnect reflects an epistemic hegemony inherited from colonial structures, underscoring the need to decolonize bioethical discourse. To address this issue, the research employs theoretical tools from postcolonial studies to deconstruct the foundations of Western bioethical paradigms, often perceived as hegemonic, and propose an alternative grounded in Ivorian specificities. The methodological approach follows three interdependent steps: deconstruction, which critiques the universalist biases and limitations of imported bioethical frameworks; disconnection, advocating for conceptual emancipation by emphasizing local sociocultural particularities; and reconstruction, which seeks to develop contextualized bioethics tailored to the community-oriented and spiritual values of Ivorian society, while remaining aligned with global ethical and justice standards. The thesis demonstrates that to be relevant and efficient, Ivorian bioethics must draw on narrative ethics and the ethics of care, which emphasize interpersonal relationships, interdependence, and dialogue. These approaches stand in contrast to the procedural and individualistic ethics prevalent in Western paradigms. Moreover, integrating local values such as Côte d'Ivoire's specific form of secularism, strong religious influence, and communal dynamics is identified as a key driver for enhancing the effectiveness and social acceptability of bioethical practices. This approach reconciles universal ethical imperatives with local particularities, offering an inclusive and innovative model.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph. D.
Level thesis:degree_level
Doctorat
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Philosophie et éthique
Grantor dc:publisher
Université de Sherbrooke
Year dc:date.issued
2025

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Gnahy, Tinne Nebomin Amour
Advisors dc:contributor.advisor
  • Lacroix, André
  • Karamoko, Abou

Subjects

dc:subject × 28

Rights

Language dc:language.iso
fr

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Handle dc:identifier.uri
https://hdl.handle.net/11143/22861
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:usherbrooke.scholaris.ca:11143/22861

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Université de Sherbrooke
Base URL
usherbrooke.scholaris.ca/server/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-27
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Gnahy, Tinne Nebomin Amour. De la décolonisation du discours de la bioéthique à une bioéthique ivoirienne efficiente. Doctorat thesis, Université de Sherbrooke, 2025. https://hdl.handle.net/11143/22861