Includes bibliographical references and index.

Machine generated contents note: -- Each chapter ends with a Conclus ion. -- <strong>PART I. MORAL FOUNDATIONS 1. Moral Norms -- Normative and Nonnormative Ethics -- The Common Morality as Universal Morality - - Particular Moralities as Nonuniversal -- Moral Dilemmas -- A Framewor k of Moral Norms -- Conflicting Moral Norms -- 2. Moral Character -- Th e Concept of Moral Virtue -- Virtues in Professional Roles -- The Virtu e of Caring -- Five Focal Virtues -- Moral Ideals -- Moral Excellence - - 3. Moral Status -- The Problem of Moral Status -- Theories of Moral S tatus -- From Theories to Practical Guidelines -- The Moral Significanc e of Moral Status -- Vulnerable Populations and Vulnerable Individuals -- PART II. MORAL PRINCIPLES -- 4. Respect for Autonomy -- The Concept of Autonomy and the Principle of Respect for Autonomy -- The Capacity f or Autonomous Choice -- The Meaning and Justification of Informed Conse nt -- Disclosure -- Understanding -- Voluntariness -- 5. Nonmaleficence -- The Concept of Nonmaleficence and the Principle of Nonmaleficence - - Distinctions and Rules Governing Nontreatment -- Optional Treatments and Obligatory Treatments -- Killing and Letting Die -- The Justificati on of Intentionally Arranged Deaths -- Protecting Incompetent Patients -- 6. Beneficence -- The Concept of Beneficence and Principles of Benef icence -- Obligatory Beneficence and Ideal Beneficence -- Paternalism: Conflicts between Beneficence and Respect for Autonomy -- Balancing Ben efits, Costs, and Risks -- The Value and Quality of Life -- 7. Justice -- The Concept of Justice and Principles of Justice -- Traditional Theo ries of Justice -- Recent Theories of Justice -- Fair Opportunity and U nfair Discrimination -- Vulnerability, Exploitation, and Discrimination in Research -- National Health Policy and the Right to Health Care -- Global Health Policy and the Right to Health -- Allocating, Setting Pri orities, and Rationing -- 8. Professional-Patient Relationships -- Vera city -- Privacy -- Confidentiality -- Fidelity -- Clinical Ethics and R esearch Ethics -- The Dual Roles of Clinician and Investigator -- PART III. THEORY AND METHOD -- 9. Moral Theories -- Criteria for Assessing M oral Theories -- Utilitarian Theory -- Kantian Theory -- Rights Theory -- Virtue Theory -- Convergence of Theories -- 10. Method and Moral Jus tification -- Justification in Ethics -- Top-Down Models: Theory and Ap plication -- Bottom-Up Models: Cases and Analogical Reasoning -- Reflec tive Equilibrium as an Integrated Model -- Common-Morality Theory -- In dex.

"Building on the best-selling tradition of previous editions, Princi ples of Biomedical Ethics, Seventh Edition, provides a highly original , practical, and insightful guide to morality in the health professions . Acclaimed authors Tom L. Beauchamp and James F. Childress thoroughly develop and advocate for four principles that lie at the core of moral reasoning in health care: respect for autonomy, nonmaleficence, benefic ence, and justice. Drawing from contemporary research--and integrating detailed case studies and vivid real-life examples and scenarios--they demonstrate how these prima facie principles can be expanded to apply t o various conflicts and dilemmas, from how to deliver bad news to wheth er or not to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatments. Illumina ting both theory and method throughout, Principles of Biomedical Ethics , Seventh Edition, considers what constitutes moral character and addre sses the problem of moral status: what rights are due to people and ani mals, and when. It also examines the professional-patient relationship, surveys major philosophical theories--including utilitarianism, Kantia nism, rights theory, and virtue theory--and describes methods of moral justification in bioethics. Ideal for courses in biomedical ethics, bio ethics, and health care ethics, the text is enhanced by hundreds of ann otated citations and a substantial introduction that clarifies key term s and concepts. NEW TO THE SEVENTH EDITION Ch. 1: A clarified and more concise treatment of the common morality and its distinction from both particular moralities and the broad descriptive use of the term "moral ity" Ch. 3: New sections on degrees of moral status and the moral signi ficance of moral status Ch. 4: A revised section on the therapeutic us e of placebos and expanded coverage of theories of autonomy and informa tion-processing issues Ch. 5: New material on historical problems of u nderprotection and recent problems of overprotection in human subjects research Ch. 6: A new section on expanded access and continued access in research and a relocated and integrated discussion of surrogate deci sion making for incompetent patients Ch. 7: A distinction between trad itional theories of justice and more recent theories like capabilities and well-being Ch. 8: A new section on clinical ethics and research et hics Ch. 9: A whole new section on virtue theory, which expands the ac count from Ch. 2 of the previous edition, and on rights theory Ch. 10: An extended and more in-depth discussion of the authors' theory of met hod and justification in bioethics A new Companion Website at www.oup. com/us/beauchamp featuring suggestions for effectively using the book i n the classroom, possible syllabi and examination questions, additional readings, useful exercises, and cases for discussion"-- Provided by publisher.

"Acclaimed authors Tom L. Beauchamp and James F. Childress thoroughl y develop and advocate for four principles that lie at the core of mora l reasoning in health care: respect for autonomy, nonmaleficence, benef icence, and justice. Drawing from contemporary research--and integratin g detailed case studies and vivid real-life examples and scenarios--the y demonstrate how these prima facie principles can be expanded to apply to various conflicts and dilemmas"-- Provided by publisher.