Principles of Biomedical Ethics

Principles of Biomedical Ethics, eighth 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, beneficence, 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 to various conflicts and dilemmas. Ideal for courses in biomedical ethics, bioethics, and health care ethics, the text is enhanced by hundreds of annotated citations and a substantial introduction that clarifies key terms and concepts.

NEW TO THIS EDITION

• Every chapter is revised to sharpen arguments, address recent issues raised by critics, and discuss and assess new published material
• Includes an expanded presentation in Chapter 4, -Respect for Autonomy- on informed consent
• Expanded discussions of nontreatment, uses of the best-interest standard, quality of life decisions involving newborns and children, and physician-assisted dying included in Chapter 5, -nonmaleficence-
• Features additional coverage of theories of justice, problems of health insurance coverage, and the right to health care in Chapter 7, -Justice-
• Expanded sections on Veracity and Confidentiality, including the addition of new cases, in Chapter 8, -Professional-Patient Relationships-Chapter 9, -Moral Theories- includes expanded sections on Virtue Theory and Rights Theory
• Expanded critiques of the theories of justification in Chapter 10, -Method and Moral Justification