Moral Theory and Medical Practice

A new approach to medical practice, drawing on the words philosophy and psychopathology.

K. W. M. Fulford (Author), Baroness Warnock (Foreword by)

9780521388696, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 1 February 1990

336 pages
21.7 x 14.1 x 2.2 cm, 0.475 kg

'… brilliantly developed study … exhaustive approach … Dr Fulford has shown us that morality in medicine is no mere gesture but a practical and contemporary necessity.' Hospital Doctor

In this unique study Fulford combines the disciplines of rigorous philosophy with an intimate knowledge of psychopathology to overturn traditional hegemonies. The patient replaces the doctor at the heart of medicine. Moral theory and the logic of evaluation replace epistemology as the focus of philosophical enquiry. Ever controversial, mental illness is at the interface of philosophy and medicine. Mad or bad? Dissident or diseased? Dr Fulford shows that it is possible to achieve new insights into these traditional dilemmas, insights at once practically relevant and philosophically significant.

Preface
Analytical list of contents
Acknowledgements
Part I. Introduction: 1. The debate about mental illness
Part II. Illness and Disease as Value Terms: 2. The conventional view
3. Dysfunction
4. Disease
5. Illness
Part III. Illness and Disease as Medical Value Terms: 6. Dysfunction and function
7. Illness and action
8. Mental illness
Part IV. Practical Applications: 9. Diagnosis
10. Treatment
11. Primary health care
Part V. Conclusion: 12. Overview and future developments
Appendix
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Medicine: general issues [MB]