Medicine and Moral Reasoning

A collection examining the theoretical basis of medical ethics and the nature of moral thinking.

K. W. M. Fulford (Edited by), Grant Gillett (Edited by), Janet Martin Soskice (Edited by)

9780521459464, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 3 March 1994

220 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.3 cm, 0.33 kg

This collection examines prevalent assumptions in moral reasoning which are often accepted uncritically in medical ethics. It introduces a range of perspectives from philosophy and medicine on the nature of moral reasoning and relates these to illustrative problems, such as New Reproductive Technologies, the treatment of sick children, the assessment of quality of life, genetics, involuntary psychiatric treatment and abortion. In each case, the contributors address the nature and worth of the moral theories involved in discussions of the relevant issues, and focus on the types of reasoning which are employed. 'Medical ethics is in danger of becoming a subject kept afloat by a series of platitudes about respect for persons or the importance of autonomy. This book is a bold and imaginative attempt to break away from such rhetoric into genuine informative dialogue between philosophers and doctors, with no search after consensus.' Mary Warnock

List of contributors
Acknowledgements
1. Introduction: diverse ethics K. W. M. Fulford, Grant R. Gillett and Janet M. Soskice
2. Darwinism and ethics Mary Midgley
3. Creation and relation Janet M. Soskice
4. Embryo experimentation: public policy in a pluralist society Richard M. Hare
5. Ethical considerations in genetic testing: an empirical study of presymptomatic diagnosis of Huntington's disease Jason Brandt
6. Identity matters Michael Lockwood
7. The virtues in a professional setting William F. May
8. Medical ethics, moral philosophy and moral tradition Thomas H. Murray
9. Roman suicide Miriam Griffin
10. Women and children first Grant R. Gillett
11. Moral uncertainty and human embryo experimentation Graham M. Oddie
12. Morality: invention or discovery? James O. Urmson
13. Quality of life and health care Roger Crisp
14. Dependency: the foundational value in medical ethics Alastair V. Campbell
15. Not more medical ethics K. W. M. Fulford
Index.

Subject Areas: Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ]