Principles of Biomedical Ethics 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, from how to deliver bad news to whether or not to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatments.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.

PrefacePART I. MORAL FOUNDATIONS1. Moral NormsNormative and Nonnormative EthicsThe Common Morality as Universal MoralityParticular Moralities as NonuniversalMoral DilemmasA Framework of Moral PrinciplesConflicting Moral Norms2. Moral CharacterThe Concept of Moral VirtueVirtues in Professional RolesThe Central Virtue of CaringFive Focal VirtuesMoral IdealsMoral Excellence3. Moral StatusThe Problem of Moral StatusTheories of Moral StatusFrom Theories to Practical GuidelinesThe Moral Significance of Moral StatusVulnerable Populations and Vulnerable IndividualsPART II. MORAL PRINCIPLES4. Respect for AutonomyThe Concept of Autonomy and the Principle of Respect for AutonomyThe Capacity for Autonomous ChoiceThe Meaning and Justification of Informed ConsentDisclosureUnderstandingVoluntarinessSurrogate Decision Making for Nonautonomous Patients5. NonmaleficenceThe Concept and Principle of NonmaleficenceDistinctions and Rules Governing Nontreatment DecisionsOptional Treatments and Obligatory TreatmentsKilling and Letting DieIntentionally Arranged Deaths: When, If Ever, Are They Justified?Protecting Incompetent Patients from HarmWhose Risks and Whose Benefits? Problems of Underprotection and Overprotection in Research6. BeneficenceThe Concept of Beneficence and Principles of BeneficenceObligatory Beneficence and Ideal BeneficencePaternalism: Conflicts between Beneficence and Respect for AutonomyBalancing Benefits, Costs, and RisksThe Value and Quality of Life7. JusticeThe Concept of Justice and Principles of JusticeTraditional Theories of JusticeTwo Theories Closely Connected to the Value of HealthFair Opportunity and Unfair DiscriminationVulnerability, Exploitation, and Discrimination in ResearchNational Health Policy and the Right to Health CareGlobal Health Policy and the Right to HealthAllocating, Setting Priorities, and Rationing8. Professional-Patient RelationshipsVeracityPrivacyConfidentialityFidelityThe Distinction between Clinical Ethics and Research EthicsPART III. THEORY AND METHOD9. Moral TheoriesCriteria for Assessing Moral TheoriesUtilitarian TheoryKantian TheoryRights TheoryVirtue TheoryThe Convergence of Theories on Principles10. Method and Moral JustificationJustification in EthicsTop-Down Models: Theory and ApplicationBottom-Up Models: Cases and Analogical ReasoningAn Integrated Model: Reflective EquilibriumCommon-Morality TheoryIndex