Moral Problems in Medicine: A Practical Coursebook

In his important textbook, the Author, assuming no prior philosophical knowledge, covers the controversial issues of euthanasia, abortion and experimentation on humans and animals, as well as looking at the right to self-determination and the limits of confidentiality. 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. Pertinent case studies bring the subjects to life, and there are exercises for individual or group work, and a well organised bibliography at the end of each chapter, for those who researching particular area more deeply. This excellent introduction is for anyone with an interest in human well-being, and provides vital theoretical tools for those facing real medical dilemmas. Moreover it is an essential text for the ethical content in the training of medical students, nurses and other health professionals. Dr Michael Palmer has taught at Marlborough College and at McMaster University and Bristol University. He is the author of Paul Tillich's Philosophy of Art (1984), and co-editor of the six-volumed Paul Tillich: Hauptwerke/Main Works (1990). Following the prestigious award of the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship at the University of Marburg, he was invited to set up a philosophy course at The Manchester Grammar School, where he remained for eight years as Head of the Department of Religion and Philosophy. Moral Problems in Medicine substantially incorporates this course which attracted national attention. His previous publications include the best-selling school and university textbook Moral Problems (1991), and Freud and Jung on Religion (1997).