| Contents Notes |
Morality and ethical theory. Moral dilemmas and moral reasoning ; Ethical theories and biomedical ethics ; Tests of ethical theories ; Moral and nonmoral action-guides -- Utilitarian and deontological theories. Utilitarianism ; Deontological theories ; The place of rules ; Rights -- The principle of autonomy. The concept of autonomy ; Informed consent ; Refusal of treatment ; Autonomous suicide -- The principle of nonmaleficence. The concept of nonmaleficence ; The principle of double effect ; Killing and letting die ; Optional and obligatory means of treatment ; Who should decide? -- The principle of beneficence. The concept of beneficence ; Costs and benefits ; Paternalism -- The principle of justice. The concept of justice ; Material principles of justice ; Relevant properties ; Fair opportunity ; Macroallocation ; Microallocation -- The professional and patient relationship. The principle of veracity ; The rule of confidentiality ; Conflicts among contractual and role obligations -- Ideals, virtues, and integrity. Ideals ; Virtues and character ; Integrity and conscience. This book offers a systematic analysis of the moral principles that should apply to biomedicine. We understand "biomedical ethics" as one type of applied ethics. In our discussions of ethical theory per se, we offer anaylses of levels of moral deliberation and justification and of the ways two major approaches interpret principles, rules, and judgments. The systematic core of the book presents four fundamental moral principles--autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. |
