Conscientious Objection in Medicine

The Element is a collection of essays that examine ethical and conceptual issues about conscientious objection in medicine. It argues that compatibilists fail to offer a justifiable specification of professional obligations and that arguments for asymmetry between responses to conscientious objectors and conscientious providers lack convincing justification.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 92 pages
Publication date: 11 April 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The Element delves into profound ethical and conceptual inquiries concerning conscientious objection in medicine. It explores a range of concepts such as conscientious objection, conscientious provision, conscience, moral complicity, and moral integrity. Through a critical analysis, it identifies and examines several ongoing ethical controversies. One such controversy revolves around the compatibility of conscientious objection with physicians' professional obligations. The Element challenges the position of incompatibilists by arguing that they fail to provide a justifiable specification of professional obligations that supports their stance. Additionally, it raises a challenge for compatibilists who advocate for a reason-giving requirement, demanding that they specify justifiable and unambiguous criteria for evaluating objectors' reasons. Arguments for and against requirements to inform and refer patients are critically analyzed, leading to the proposal of an alternative, context-dependent requirement. Another contentious issue is the justifiability of asymmetry between responses to conscientious objectors and conscientious providers. Typically, only the former receives accommodation. The Element critically examines arguments for asymmetry and maintains that none provides a convincing justification. By examining these ethical dilemmas, The Element contributes to a deeper understanding of the complexities and challenges associated with conscientious objection in medicine. It offers valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and individuals who grapple with these ethical issues.

ISBN-13: 9781009074797