Principles of Biomedical Ethics by
Building on the best-selling tradition of previous editions, Principles of Biomedical Ethics, Seventh Edition, provides a highly original, practical, and insightful guide to morality in the health professions. Acclaimed authors Tom L. Beauchamp and James F. Childress thoroughly develop andadvocate for four principles that lie at the core of moral reasoning in health care: respect for autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, and justice. Drawing from contemporary research--and integrating detailed case studies and vivid real-life examples and scenarios--they demonstrate how these primafacie principles can be expanded to apply to various conflicts and dilemmas, from how to deliver bad news to whether or not to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatments.Illuminating both theory and method throughout, Principles of Biomedical Ethics, Seventh Edition, considers what constitutes moral character and addresses the problem of moral status: what rights are due to people and animals, and when. It also examines the professional-patient relationship,surveys major philosophical theories--including utilitarianism, Kantianism, rights theory, and virtue theory--and describes methods of moral justification in bioethics. Ideal for courses in biomedical ethics, bioethics, and health care ethics, the text is enhanced by hundreds of annotated citationsand a substantial introduction that clarifies key terms and concepts.
PART I. MORAL FOUNDATIONS
1. Moral Norms
Normative and Nonnormative Ethics
The Common Morality as Universal Morality
Particular Moralities as Nonuniversal
Moral Dilemmas
A Framework of Moral Norms
Conflicting Moral Norms
2. Moral Character
Moral Virtues
Virtues in Professional Roles
The Virtue of Caring
Five Focal Virtues
Moral Virtues and Action Guides
Moral Ideals
Moral Excellence
3. Moral Status
The Problem of Moral Status
Theories of Moral Status
From Theories to Practical Guidelines
Vulnerable Populations
PART II. MORAL PRINCIPLES
4. Respect for Autonomy
The Nature of Autonomy
The Capacity for Autonomous Choice
The Meaning and Justification of Informed Consent
Disclosure
Understanding
Voluntariness
A Framework of Standards for Surrogate Decision Making
5. Nonmaleficence
The Concept of Nonmaleficence
Distinctions and Rules Governing Nontreatment
Optional Treatments and Obligatory Treatments
Killing and Letting Die
The Justification of Intentionally Arranged Deaths
Protecting Incompetent Patients
6. Beneficence
The Concept of Beneficence
Obligatory Beneficence and Ideal Beneficence
Paternalism: Conflicts Between Beneficence and Autonomy
Balancing Benefits, Costs, and Risks
The Value and Quality of Life
7. Justice
The Concept of Justice
Theories of Justice
Fair Opportunity and Unfair Discrimination
Vulnerability and Exploitation
National Health Policy and the Right to Health Care
Global Health Policy and the Right to Health
Allocating, Setting Priorities, and Rationing
8. Professional-Patient Relationships
Veracity
Privacy
Confidentiality
Fidelity
The Dual Roles of Clinician and Investigator
PART III. THEORY AND METHOD
9. Moral Theories
Criteria for Theory Construction
Utilitarianism
Kantianism
Rights Theory
Communitarianism
Convergence of Theories
10. Method and Moral Justification
Justification in Ethics
Top-Down Models: Theory and Application
Bottom-Up Models: Cases and Analogy
An Integrated Model Using Reflective Equilibrium
Common-Morality Theory
