Moral Problems in Medicine: A Practical Coursebook

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James Clarke & Co., 2005 - Medical - 192 pages
A selection of philosophical writings can be daunting to the uninitiated in the field of philosophy. Michael Palmer makes the process of becoming acquainted with philosophical texts smoother in this practical coursebook. Designed to equip students of clinical school and nursing with essential ethical awareness for medical dilemmas, this guide to reflecting upon moral medical problems covers an impressive scope. Controversial issues, including: euthanasia, abortion, vivisection, human-testing and behaviour control, are examined in considerable detail, as well as issues such as the right to self-determination and the limits of confidentiality. Students are invited to explore each issue with the use of philosophical questions. The very concept of ethics is investigated and chapters on egoism, utilitarianism, Kant's theories, determinism and meta-ethics are included. The discussion extends into the relatively unexplored area of cutting-edge genetic research and gives readers a sense of how existing thinking can be applied when new developments arise. Each topic is lucidly introduced and then examined in more depth through extracts taken from such major ethical thinkers as James Rachels, Sissela Bok and Peter Singer. Case-studies are provided so that the student can place often overwhelming philosophical theories in context. This demonstrates how philosophy is still very much applicable to the present-day. Hypothetical questions test the student's understanding and comprehension questions demand evaluation ofthe text. In addition, a detailed bibliography at the end of each chapter provides opportunities for further research and reading. This informative introduction to ethical awareness provides the reader with vital theoretical tools for the management of real medical concerns. Although aimed primarily at students, it will also prove a valuable, thought-provoking resource for doctors, nurses, paramedics, those employed in healthcare management, and members of the public concerned with the ethics of medical practice.
 

Contents

ETHICS
15
Bibliography
21
EGOISM
30
EGOISM AND THE RIGHT TO LIFE
36
John T Noonan How to Argue about Abortion
42
The Right to Life and Euthanasia
49
Yale Kamisar Some Nonreligious views against
55
Bibliography
63
George J Annas Baby Fae
87
Carl Cohen The Case for the Use of Animals
99
THE ETHICAL THEORY OF IMMANUEL KANT
105
KANT AND THE ETHICS
130
Mack Lipkin On Lying to Patients
137
Bibliography
143
MEDICAL PRACTICE AND THE ETHICS
159
Robert Nevill Sterilizing the Mildly Mentally
168

The Hedonic Calculus
69
Some Criticisms of Utilitarianism
77
UTILITARIANISM AND THE ETHICS OF
81

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About the author (2005)

A former Teaching Fellow at McMaster University and Humboldt Fellow at Marburg University, Dr Palmer has taught at Marlborough College and Bristol University. For many years Founding Head of the Department of Religion and Philosophy at the Manchester Grammar School, Dr Palmer is also the author of the best-selling textbook Moral Problems as well as of the two-volume textbook The Philosophy of Religion. More recently he has written The Atheist's Creed (2010) and The Atheist's Primer (2012).

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