Disputes in Bioethics: Abortion, Euthanasia, and Other Controversies

Disputes in Bioethics explores controversial topics in contemporary scholarship about the beginning and end of life, such as three-parent children, never-being-born, euthanasia for children, assisted suicide, conscientious objection, separating conjoined twins, and the moral status of individuals based on their species. Christopher Kaczor critiques influential positions in bioethics, defending the inherent dignity of all human beings and arguing for their protection of basic human goods. The book is accessible to students and researchers in applied ethics and law.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2020
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

Disputes in Bioethics delves into some of the most contentious and thought-provoking questions in contemporary scholarship concerning the origins and ends of life. This comprehensive collection of essays explores a range of topics, including:

The emergence of human life: Should we create children through the involvement of three or more parents? Is it preferable to have never been born? And why should a baby exist?

The twilight of human existence: Is the concept of "death with dignity" a deceptive euphemism? Should euthanasia be permissible for children? Does assisted suicide harm those who do not wish to die?

Contemporary perspectives on the right of healthcare professionals to conscientiously object to legal and accepted medical practices.

Issues surrounding the separation of conjoined twins and the significance of an individual's species in determining their moral status.

Christopher Kaczor, in his critique, examines and challenges some of the most influential positions in bioethics, avoiding both consequentialism and principalism. Grounded in the Catholic principle of harmony between faith and reason, this book presents a rational defense of Catholic bioethical teaching that can be embraced by individuals of goodwill, regardless of their secular or religious beliefs.

Kaczor approaches the subject from a natural law perspective, emphasizing the inherent dignity of all human beings. He argues that these individuals deserve the protection of their fundamental human goods, owing to their inherent dignity. Disputes in Bioethics is a valuable resource for philosophers engaged in applied ethics, as well as students and professors of law. The book aims to strike a balance between philosophical sophistication and accessibility, making it suitable for both novice scholars and experienced researchers in the field.

Weight: 354g
Dimension: 153 x 229 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780268108106