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Cassell, J (1998) Against medical ethics: opening the can of worms. Journal of Medical Ethics, 24 (1). 8-12; discussion 13. ISSN 0306-6800
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
In a controversial paper, David Seedhouse argues that medical ethics is not and cannot be a distinct discipline with it own field of study. He derives this claim from a characterization of ethics, which he states but does not defend. He claims further that the project of medical ethics as it exists and of moral philosophy do not overlap. I show that Seedhouse's views on ethics have wide implications which he does not declare, and in the light of this argue that Seedhouse owes us a defence of his characterization of ethics. Further, I show that his characterization of ethics, which he uses to attack medical ethics, is a committed position within moral philosophy. As a consequence of this, it does not allow the relation between moral philosophy and medical ethics to be discussed without prejudice to its outcome. Finally, I explore the relation between Seedhouse's position and naturalism, and its implications for medical epistemology. I argue that this shows us that Seedhouse's position, if it can be defended, is likely to lead to a fruitful and important line of inquiry which reconnects philosophy and medical ethics.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | Comment Journal Article |
| Keywords: | Ethical Theory Ethics, Medical Humans Morals Philosophy, Medical Specialism Bioethics and Professional Ethics Philosophical Approach |
| Schools and Departments: | Brighton and Sussex Medical School > Primary Care and Public Health |
| Related URLs: | |
| Depositing User: | Jackie Cassell |
| Date Deposited: | 30 Mar 2007 |
| Last Modified: | 23 May 2018 14:33 |
| URI: | http://srodev.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/1152 |
| Google Scholar: | 5 Citations |