Human dignity in bioethics and law / Charles Foster.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Foster, Charles, 1962- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bioethics.

Dignity.

Respect for persons--Law and legislation.

Respect for persons.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (218 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; Portland, Oregon : Hart Publishing, 2011.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

"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 is 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."--Bloomsbury Publishing.

Contents:

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.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9786613529336

9781847318602

1847318606

9781472565662

1472565665

9781280125478

1280125470

9781847318350

1847318355

OCLC:

777565416