Why Conscience Matters: A Defence of Conscientious Objection in Healthcare

The book explores the role of conscience in healthcare practice,providing a philosophical account of the nature and moral import of conscience and defending a prima facie right to conscientious objection for healthcare professionals. It also has relevance to broader debates about religious liberty and civil rights.

Format: Hardback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 29 July 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The book delves into a comprehensive exploration of a significant debate within bioethics, while also providing a thorough examination of the crucial role of conscience in professional decision-making. By examining the significance of conscience in healthcare practice, this book presents compelling arguments against recent calls for banning or severely restricting conscience objection. It offers a profound philosophical account of the nature and moral significance of conscience, defending a prima facie right to conscientious objection for healthcare professionals. Furthermore, the book's relevance extends to broader discussions about religious liberty and civil rights, such as debates surrounding the rights and responsibilities of individuals and institutions that refuse services to clients based on religious objections. The book concludes with a thoughtful discussion on how to regulate individual and institutional conscientious objection, while also presenting general principles for the accommodation of individual conscientious objectors within the healthcare system.

This book is of immense value to students and scholars engaged in the fields of moral philosophy, bioethics, and health law. Its comprehensive insights and thoughtful analysis provide a valuable resource for those seeking to understand the complex interplay between conscience, healthcare, and societal values.

Weight: 470g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032162263