Bioethics and Secular Humanism: The Search for a Common Morality - Softcover

Engelhardt, H. Tristram

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1620320711 ISBN 13: 9781620320716

Publisher: Wipf and Stock, 2011

Synopsis

Bioethics is vitally important in our day because it represents the critical expression of interest in the proper use of medical science to provide health care. Secular humanism is important because it is a central factor in constructing a common morality that does not make special appeal to such things as religious assumptions. The argument of this book, therefore, will be of profound interest to all who are concerned for the well-being of humanity in today's world. Imagine, the author says, Roman Catholics and committed atheists disputing over proper abortion policies. Imagine individuals who wish to organize a for-profit surrogate mother service, confronting individuals who view such endeavors as exploitation of women. To what moral premise do they appeal? Are power and influence the deciding factors, or is it possible to establish certain principles to which all may appeal? In answer, Professor Engelhardt examines the various meanings of secularity and humanism, clearly showing how complex they are. Alongside this he demonstrates the diversity of bioethics and the problems of laying a foundation for it. Based on these considerations, he identifies which ways forward are the most promising. The urgency of the task is clear. New biomedical possibilities are surfacing at the very time that demands to contain health care costs pose difficult ethical problems.

About this title

About the Author

H. Tristram Engelhardt, Jr., is Professor in the Department of Philosophy, Rice University, and Professor Emeritus, Departments of Medicine and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1620320711
• ISBN 13: 9781620320716
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224