Critically Thinking About Medical Ethics

Adopting a critical thinking methodology in which critical thinking tools are introduced and applied to medical ethics reading, this book explains the dialogue which is formed by the readings in each chapter and clarifies how the various thinkers are responding to one another in a common discussion. The books' unified approach offers a critical thinking pedagogy, which philosophically and logically pulls the many readings and philosophies together. The book examines an introduction to moral theory and critical thinking tools, while readings address the following issues: surrogacy contracts; abortion; ethical issues at the end of life; genetics and morality; ethics and HIV/AIDS; the relationship between medical professionals and patients; research on human and non-human subjects; allocation of medical resources and justice issues in health care systems. For individuals interested in medical ethics and philosophy. Review "This is a very interesting and innovative approach...[The book includes] a limited number of central topics which are treated in greater depth than in the texts currently on the market. That the material is presented in a way that facilitates dialogical and critical philosophical thinking about the issues is a real plus. I greatly prefer this approach ....[Card's introductions] are better than the introductions I am familiar with in the texts currently on the market." ? Louis I. Katzner, Bowling Green State University "I think this book has some real advantages over the competition. Its editorial material is lively, interesting and comprehensive enough, without being overwhelming; it is highly readable and accessible to the novice reader; and the editorial introductions are very well-done and helpful ....I like the style very much, and I think my students would as well." ? Phebe Saunders Haugen, William Mitchell College of Law "Card will certainly seem the best choice to many people who teach this course." ? Anthony Preus, Binghamton University From the Back Cover Robert E. Card takes an innovative approach to the study of medical ethics by introducing and applying critical thinking tools to classic and contemporary medical ethics readings. The organization of the text engages the readings in a dialogue to clarify how thinkers from diverse perspectives are responding to one another in a common discussion. The text's unified approach offers a critical thinking pedagogy, which helps students develop skills necessary for engaging in philosophical thinking, and helps students establish connections among reading selections. FEATURES of Critically Thinking About Medical Ethics Units organized around critical thinking tools?including Analogies, Slippery Slope Arguments, Legal Reasoning and Moral Reasoning, plus Analysis of Statistics and StudiesIntroductory chapters on ethical theory and critical thinking?comprehensive discussions provide students with the necessary background to understand and critique a wide range of ethical issues in medicineExtensive number of readings?over 60 readings, including classic and contemporary articles, as well as court cases and legal opinions.Excerpt.