Empirical Bioethics
Theoretical and Practical Perspectives

This volume brings together key researchers in empirical bioethics, presenting a range of theoretical and practical perspectives on methodology.

Jonathan Ives (Edited by), Michael Dunn (Edited by), Alan Cribb (Edited by)

9781107435506, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 14 June 2018

281 pages, 2 tables
22.7 x 15.2 x 1.5 cm, 0.42 kg

'… this collection demonstrates both comprehensiveness and usefulness to those wishing to further their knowledge of this exciting methodological territory.' Giles Birchley, Prometheus

Bioethics has long been accepted as an interdisciplinary field. The recent 'empirical turn' in bioethics is, however, creating challenges that move beyond those of simple interdisciplinary collaboration, as researchers grapple with the methodological, empirical and meta-ethical challenges of combining the normative and the empirical, as well as navigating the difficulties that can arise from attempts to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries. Empirical Bioethics: Theoretical and Practical Perspectives brings together contributions from leading experts in the field which speak to these challenges, providing insight into how they can be understood and suggestions for how they might be overcome. Combining discussions of meta-ethical challenges, examples of different methodologies for integrating empirical and normative research, and reflection on the challenges of conducting and publishing such work, this book will both introduce the novice to the field and challenge the expert.

Part I. Theoretical Perspectives: 1. Theoretical perspectives: an introduction Jonathan Ives, Michael Dunn and Alan Cribb
2. Empirical bioethics and the fact/value distinction John McMillan
3. Metaethics, relativism and empirical bioethics Mark Sheehan
4. Empirical bioethics and the role of the professional ethicist in policy making: politics, authority and expertise Kyle T. Edwards and Zuzana Deans
5. Evidence, epistemology and empirical bioethics Ilina Singh
6. Friends, foes, flatmates: on the relationship between law and (empirical) bioethics Richard Huxtable
7. Embracing diversity in empirical bioethics Alan Cribb and John Owens
Part II. Practical Perspectives: 8. Practical perspectives: an introduction Michael Dunn, Jonathan Ives and Alan Cribb
9. Moral improvement through interactive research: a practice example of dialogical empirical bioethics Elleke Landeweer, Bert Molewijk and Guy Widdershoven
10. Reflective equilibrium as a normative empirical model: the case of Ashley X Ghislaine J. M. W. van Thiel and Johannes J. M. van Delden
11. Theory and practice of democratic deliberation in bioethics research Scott Kim
12. Feminist empirical bioethics Jackie Leach Scully
13. Lessons from experience: establishing and running interdisciplinary mixed method bioethics research Bobbie Farsides and Clare Williams
14. Publishing research in empirical bioethics: quality, disciplines and expertise Lucy Frith and Heather Draper.

Subject Areas: Bio-ethics [PSAD], Comparative law [LAM]