The Cambridge World History Of Medical Ethics

The Cambridge World History of Medical Ethics provides the first global history of medical ethics.

The Cambridge World History of Medical Ethics is the first comprehensive scholarly account of the global history of medical ethics. Offering original interpretations of the field by leading bioethicists and historians of medicine, it will serve as the essential point of departure for future scholarship in the field. The volumes reconceptualize the history of medical ethics through the creation of new categories, including the life cycle; discourses of religion, philosophy, and bioethics; and the relationship between medical ethics and the state, which includes a historical reexamination of the ethics of apartheid, colonialism, communism, health policy, imperialism, militarism, Nazi medicine, Nazi "medical ethics," and research ethics. Also included are the first global chronology of persons and texts; the first concise biographies of major figures in medical ethics; and the first comprehensive bibliography of the history of medical ethics. An extensive index guides readers to topics, texts, and proper names.

A physician says, "I have an ethical obligation never to cause the death of a patient," another responds, "My ethical obligation is to relieve pain even if the patient dies." The current argument over the role of physicians in assisting patients to die constantly refers to the ethical duties of the profession. References to the Hippocratic Oath are often heard. Many modern problems, from assisted suicide to accessible health care, raise questions about the traditional ethics of medicine and the medical profession. However, few know what the traditional ethics are and how they came into being. This book provides a brief tour of the complex story of medical ethics evolved over centuries in both Western and Eastern culture. It sets this story in the social and cultural contexts in which the work of healing was practiced and suggests that, behind the many different perceptions about the ethical duties of physicians, certain themes appear constantly, and may be relevant to modern debates. The book begins with the Hippocratic medicine of ancient Greece, moves through the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Enlightenment in Europe, and the long history of Indian 7nd Chinese medicine, ending as the problems raised modern medical science and technology challenge the settled ethics of the long tradition.

Medicine and health care generate many bioethical problems and dilemmas that are of great academic, professional and public interest. This comprehensive resource is designed as a succinct yet authoritative text and reference for clinicians, bioethicists, and advanced students seeking a better understanding of ethics problems in the clinical setting. Each chapter illustrates an ethical problem that might be encountered in everyday practice; defines the concepts at issue; examines their implications from the perspectives of ethics, law and policy; and then provides a practical resolution. There are 10 key sections presenting the most vital topics and clinically relevant areas of modern bioethics. International, interdisciplinary authorship and cross-cultural orientation ensure suitability for a worldwide audience. This book will assist all clinicians in making well-reasoned and defensible decisions by developing their awareness of ethical considerations and teaching the analytical skills to deal with them effectively.

Originally published in 1924, this book presents the history of the Hippocratic oath from its earliest formulations through its interpretation and representation by later religious and medical traditions. Jones traces the changing terminology found in various manuscripts from the Greek, Roman and Arabic traditions and gives an assessment in a concluding essay. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the history of medicine and medical ethics.

Published in 1803, this highly influential work is considered the first modern formulation of medical ethics.

This new edition of The Cambridge Medical Ethics Workbook builds on the success of the first edition by working from the 'bottom up', with a widely praised case-based approach. A variety of guided exercises are supplemented by short papers and commentaries on legal and ethical issues, challenging readers to develop their own analyses and recommendations. Chapters cover death, genetics, new reproductive technologies, research, long-term care, mental health, children and young people, allocation of scarce resources, and general issues about autonomy and patient choice. An appendix discusses the use of this book in teaching, along with a full bibliography, list of Kennedy Institute keywords, and suggestions for further reading. An interactive CD-ROM packaged with the book provides extra cases, a glossary, legal references and the chance to record a personal learning diary. Its simple, clear style makes this book ideal for individual reference and as a set text for group teaching.