Bioethics in a Liberal Society

This book is an original discussion of contemporary issues in bioethics.

Max Charlesworth (Author)

9780521449526, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 24 September 1993

184 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.1 cm, 0.24 kg

"...a lucid and instructive analysis of the concept of autonomy in medical ethics and health care. He unabashedly tackles three controversial areas: decisions at the end of life and assisted suicide, medically assisted reproduction, and the allocation of health care resources." Bruce Jennings, New England Journal of Medicine

We live in a liberal, democratic, multicultural society where ideally the values of personal liberty and autonomy are paramount. In such a society the state, through the law, should not be concerned with telling people how they should live their lives. In spite of this, many of the ethical stances taken in liberal societies are paternalistic and authoritarian. This readable and balanced book is an original discussion of contemporary issues in bioethics. Max Charlesworth argues that as there can be no public consensus on a set of core values – liberal societies accept a variety of religious, non-religious, political and moral stances - there should be a plurality of ethical stances as well. On this basis he discusses issues such as the ending of human life, the new reproductive technologies and ethical distribution of limited health-care resources, particularly hospital care.

1. Introduction
2. Autonomy and the liberal ideal
3. Ending life
4. Beginning life
5. Disturbing health resources
6. Consensus in a liberal society.

Subject Areas: Medical ethics & professional conduct [MBDC], Society & social sciences [J], Philosophy of religion [HRAB], Biography: historical, political & military [BGH]