Philosophical Medical Ethics

Philosophical Medical Ethics Raanan Gillon BA (Philosophy) MB, BS, MRCP (UK) Director, Imperial College Health Service Editor, Journal of Medical Ethics Deputy Director, Institute of Medical Ethics, London Senior Fellow, Centre for Law and Medical Ethics, King's College, University of London This book is intended for all who see a need for critical thinking about the moral issues which arise in medical practice. Equally the book is aimed at those-including many doctors, nurses and other health workers-who acknowledge no such requirement, either because they are confident of knowing all they need to know, because they are content to rely on received wisdom, or because they think such issues are irrelevant in practice. Each group will find its views challenged in this book. The author believes that ‘conscience', ‘integrity' and ‘good character' are not enough, and that whatever our moral stance it is necessary to consider the relevance of four moral principles-respect for autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice-with each ethical problem we encounter. In doing this, we are unlikely to omit any relevant moral concerns. The book does not attempt to provide answers to specific medicomoral problems, but it does seek to bring more order, consistency and understanding to moral judgements in health care, by reference to a potentially widely acceptable framework for working out the answers. Also available from Wiley on this subject: Health: The Foundations for Achievement David Seedhouse September 1986Gillon, Raanan is the author of 'Philosophical Medical Ethics' with ISBN 9780471912224 and ISBN 0471912220.