Human Dignity in Bioethics and Law

1. Auflage 2011
ISBN: 978-1-84946-177-1
Verlag: Hart Publishing

Buch, Englisch, 218 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 313 g

Dignity is often denounced as hopelessly amorphous or incurably theological: as feel-good philosophical window-dressing, or as the name given to whatever principles give you the answer that you think is right. This is wrong, says Charles Foster:dignity is not only an essential principle in bioethics and law; it is really the only principle. In this ambitious, paradigm-shattering but highly readable book, he argues that dignity is the only sustainable Theory of Everything in bioethics.

For most problems in contemporary bioethics, existing principles such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice and professional probity can do a reasonably workmanlike job if they are all allowed to contribute appropriately. But these are second order principles, each of which traces its origins back to dignity.

And when one gets to the frontiers of bioethics (such as human enhancement), dignity is the only conceivable language with which to describe and analyse the strange conceptual creatures found there.

Drawing on clinical, anthropological, philosophical and legal insights, Foster provides a new lexicon and grammar of that language which will be essential reading for anyone wanting to travel in the outlandish territories of bioethics, and strongly recommended for anyone wanting to travel comfortably anywhere in bioethics or medical law.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Foster, Charles

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Rechtsphilosophie, Rechtsethik
• Naturwissenschaften Biowissenschaften Biowissenschaften Bioethik, Tierethik
• Rechtswissenschaften Recht, Rechtswissenschaft Allgemein Rechtsphilosophie, Rechtsethik
• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Angewandte Ethik & Soziale Verantwortung Bioethik, Tierethik
• Rechtswissenschaften Öffentliches Recht Medizin- und Gesundheitsrecht

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Beginnings
2. A Short History of Dignity
3. Defining and Dissecting Dignity
4. 'Dignity is Useless'
5. What do Non-philosophers and Non-lawyers Mean by Dignity?
6. Taking Stock of the View from the Academy and the Ward
7. Dignity in the Courtroom: General Overview
8. Consent, Confidentiality, Privacy, Medical Research and Resources
9. Human Enhancement and Cloning Technologies
10. Reproductive Choice and the Unborn
11. The End of Life
12. The Use and Abuse of Body Parts

Über Autor(innen)

Charles Foster is a Fellow of Green Templeton College, University of Oxford. He teaches medical ethics and law at the University of Oxford, and is also a barrister practising medical law from Outer Temple Chambers, London.