Sanctity of Life and Human Dignity

Transcription

1 Sanctity of Life and Human Dignity edited by Kurt Bayertz, Philosophisches Seminar, UniversitatMunster, Germany PHILOSOPHY AND MEDICINE 52 'Sanctity of life' and 'human dignity 1 are two bioethical concepts that play an important role in bioethical discussions. Despite their separate history and content, they have similar functions in these discussions. In many cases they are used to bring a difficult or controversial debate to an end. They serve as unquestionable cornerstones of morality, as rocks able to weather the storms of moral pluralism. This book provides the reader with analyses of these two concepts from different philosophical, professional and cultural points of view. Sanctity of Life and Human Dignity presents a comparative analysis of both concepts. Contents and Contributors: Preface; K. Bayertz, H.T. Engelhardt, Jr. Introduction. Sanctity of life and human dignity; K. Bayertz. Part One: Sanctity of Life. The concept of sanctity of life and its use in contemporary bioethical discussion; J. Keenans, S.J. Sanctity of life, voluntary euthanasia and the Dutch experience: some implications for public policy; H. Kuhse. Value of life vs. sanctity of life outlines of a bioethics that does without the concept of 'Menschenwurde'; W. Lenzen. Sanctity of life and human dignity at the bedside; S. Wear. Part Two: Human Dignity. Human dignity: philosophical origin and scientific erosion of an idea; K. Bayertz. The general notion of human dignity and the specific arguments in medical ethics; M. Hailer, D. Ritschl. Ambiguities in the concept of Menschenwurde; D. Birnbacher. Human dignity and genetic tests; T. Petermann. Part Three: The Concept of a Person. The concept of a person in moral philosophy; L Honnefelder. Persons as 'selforiginating sources of value'; A. Leist. Alterity and judgement some moral implications of Hegel's concept of life; M.C. Rawlinson. Part Four: Problems of Critical Care. Sanctity of life and Menschenwurde: can these concepts help direct the use of resources in critical care? H. T. Engelhardt, Jr. Not sanctity or dignity, but justice and autonomy: key moral concepts in the allocation of critical care; J.C. Moskop. Sanctity of life and the neonatologist's dilemma; V. von Lowenich. The sancity of human life: Secular moral authority, biomedicine, and the role of the State; K. Wm. Wildes, S.J. On the appeal for the recognition of Menschenwurde in law and morality; M. Honecker. Appendix: The concept of human dignity: an annotated bibliography; B. Haferkamp. The sanctity of life: a literature review; G. Khushf. Notes on contributors. Index. 1996,328 pp. Hardbound NLG / USD / GBP German edition available from Suhrkamp ISBN New publication group P.O. Box 322,3300 AH Dordrecht. The Netherlands P.O. Box 358, Accord Station. Hinghnm, MA U.S.A.

2 Secular Bfoeftties feitheological Perspective edited by Earl E Shelp, Foundation for Interfaith Research & Ministry, Houston, TX, USA THEOLOGY AND MEDICINE 8 This collection of 13 original essays by theological and religious ethicists challenges the sufficiency of secular bioethics. While acknowledging the importance of procedural considerations in bioethics, the contributors raise fundamental questions about the priority according to the autonomy of persons and the legitimacy of excluding religious reasoning in making medical-moral decisions and public policies. The analyses of theories, practices, concepts and methods reveal inadequacies and weaknesses within secular bioethics, while illustrating the distinctive and enriching contributions of theology and faith traditions to bioethics. These essays suggest that the relegation of religion to the margins of bioethics discussions is premature and, perhaps, ill advised. A lively debate regarding the adequacy of secular bioethics is joined in this collection. It will be built upon in subsequent literature on the subject. Contents and Contributors: Introduction; E.E. Shelp. Section I: Secular Inadequacies and Theological Contributions. Bioethics and the Spirit of Secularism; C.S. Campbell. Minding our Language: Metaphors and Biomedical Ethics; G.R. Winslow. Reform and Rationing: Reflections on Health Care in Light of Catholic Social Teaching; B.A. Lustig. The Post-Modem Challenge to Religious Sources of Moral Thinking; D.C. Thomasma. Theology and the Rawlsian Original Position: Inventing and Discovering Moral Principles; R.M. Veatch. The Weeping Womb: Why Beneficence Needs the Still Small Voice of Compassion; K. Lebacqz. Section II: Practices, Concepts, Methods and Theories. Tunnel Vision on Moral Discourse: An Insider's View of Bioethics in a Medical Center; T.E. Madison. The Medical Futility Discussion: Some Theological Suggestions; S.E. Lammers. Overworked, but Uncritically Tested: Human Dignity and the Aid-in-Dying Debate; M.M. Mendiola. Physician-Assisted Death: a Pyrrhic Victory for Secular Bioethics; G.P. McKenny. The Narrative Ethics of Stanley Hauerwas: A Question of Method; P.O. Simmons. Genetics and Freedom: A Critique of Sociobiological Claims; T.A. Shannon. A Comparative Appraisal of Theocentric and Humanistic Ethics Systems in the Clinical Encounter; R.L. Potter. Notes on Contributors. Index. publication 1996, 236 pp. ISBN Hardbound NLG / USD / GBP P.O. Box 322,3300 AH Dordrecht, The Netherlands P.O. Box 358, Accord Station, Hingham, MAO2018-O358,U.S.A.

3 An Essay in Practical Ethics by Mary Gore Forrester PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES SERIES 66 Forrester discusses animal rights, obligations concerning future generations, abortion, limiting medical treatment, and euthanasia. Persons are defined as individuals who ought to be treated in accordance with all sound moral principles. The author develops an account of what moral principles are sound, how we can apply them to complex situations, and what makes it reasonable to treat individuals in accordance with particular moral principles. This discussion puts the book's practical conclusions on a sounder basis than much other work on practical ethics. Most such authors state some general principles, but say little about why these principles should be accepted. Moreover, they rarely show how general principles can generate answers to specific dilemmas. Some even maintain that general principles are irrelevant. Since Forrester is both a nurse practitioner and a philosopher, she has had direct acquaintance with many agonizing situations in medicine. Summaries of the theoretical conclusions are included to enable nonprofessionals to follow the discussion of practical issues. The book will thus interest not only professional philosophers, but also non-philosophers concerned with problems in medical and environmental ethics, abortion, and animal rights. Contents: Preface. Part I: Problems and Persons. Introduction. 1. The Central Feature of Personhood. Part II: Theory and Justification. 2. Moral Knowledge. 3. Outline of a Basic Moral Theory. 4. The Difficulties of Applying Moral Principles. 5. Solving Moral Problems. Part III: What Makes an Individual a Person. 6. Who Ought to Get Moral Consideration? 7. Reasons for Granting Personhood. 8. Persons by Nature and Persons by Extension. Part IV. 9. How Animals Ought to be Treated. 10. Animal Rights. 11. What Do We Owe to Future Generations? 12. When Should we Bring New People into the World? 13. The Human Fetus: Introduction. 14. Should Fetuses be Extended Persons? 15. Abortion: Objections and Policies. 16. The End of Personhood and Cessation of Medical Procedures. 17. Euthanasia. 18. Summary. Bibliography. Notes. Index. New publication 1996,312 pp. ISBN Hardbound NLG / USD / GBP 90.00

4 ... now available in paperback... Critical Choices and Critical Care Catholic Perspectives on Allocating Resources in Intensive Care Medicine edited by Kevin W. Wildes S.J., Philosophy Dept, Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA PHILOSOPHY AND MEDICINE 51 Critical Choices and Critical Care brings together the traditional reflections on ordinary and extraordinary means with Catholic social thought. It examines the difficult questions on the allocation of high technology resources used in intensive care medicine. The book also provides relevant background information (e.g. statements by the Society of Critical Care Medicine and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith). It is accessible to theologians, philosophers, and health care professionals. Contents and Contributors: 1. Preface. 2. The Moral Paradox of Critical Care Medicine; K.Wm. Wildes, S.J. Part One: Clinical Questions. 3. Ethical Issues Raised by Intensive Care; B.A. Brody. 4. Ethical Issues in Intensive Care: Criteria for Treatment within the Creation of a Health Insurance Morality; M.A. Rie. 5. Commentary on: Brody and Rie; MA. Sanchez- Gonzalez. 6. Intensive Care: Its Nature and Problems; A. Serani- Merio, P. Rosso. 7. Ethical Issues in Critical Care: Criteria for Treatment; H.H. Delooz. Part Two: Moral Reflections on the Clinic. 8. Conserving Life and Conserving Means: Lead Us not Into Temptation; K.Wm. Wildes, S.J. 9. The Old and the New in the Doctrine of the Ordinary and the Extraordinary Means; D. Gracia. 10. Admission To and Removal From Intensive Care: a Personalist Approach; P.T. Schotsmans. 11. The Notion of Criterion in Critical Care Ethics; T.R. Kopfensteiner. 12. Distributive Justice in the Era of the Benefit Package: the Dispute Over the Oregon Basic Health Services Act; M.C. Kaveny. Part Three: Appendices. A. The Prolongation of Life; Pope Pius XII. B. Declaration on Euthanasia; Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. C. Consensus Statement on the Triage of Critically III Patients; Society of Critical Care Medicine Ethics Committee. Notes on Contributors. Index. 1995,288 pp. ISBN Paperback NLG / USD / GBP group P.O. Box 322, 3300 AH Dordrecht. The Netherlands P.O. Box 358, Accord Station, Hingham, MA , U.S.A.

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6 THE JOURNAL OF MEDICINE AND PHILOSOPHY A Forum for Bioethics and Philosophy of Medicine Vol.21 No. 4 August 1996 BIOETHICS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF MEDICAL REALITY Issue Editor: MARK J. CHERRY Bioethics and the Construction of Medical Reality MarkJ. Cherry Nephrarious Goings On. Kidney Sales and Moral Arguments Janet Radcliffe Richards Medical Practice and Social Authority Robert B. Pippin An East Asian Perspective of Mind-Body Shigenori Nagatomo and Gerald Leisman Book Review: The Discipline of Medicine Leonard Caccamo (199608)21:4;1-Z