Bioethics in a Changing World

by Jennifer A. Parks, Victoria Wike

Bioethics in a Changing World is an introductory textbook for individuals who are new to the study of bioethics. This interdisciplinary field, which encompasses philosophy, religion, sociology, gerontology, psychiatry, biomedical science, law, and nursing (to name a few), has been rapidly growing and developing over the last half-century. In order to get a handle on what “doing” bioethics entails, it is helpful to start with the basic philosophical foundations of bioethical theory and then consider a variety of trenchant issues that arise from the practice of medicine and the provision of health care services within an age of technology. In constructing this textbook, the central aim has been to guide readers in developing a clear sense of how theory and practice are linked in the dynamic field of bioethics. Though new problems and issues in bioethics are constantly arising, it is important to focus on the persistence of foundational questions that apply to new contexts.

797 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Pamela J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I taught a course using this book. It is pretty decent, as far as textbooks go. There is a pretty serious liberal bias, but that is not surprising. I wish the introductory portions to each unit of readings were longer and more in-depth because there are way too many readings to assign all of them and none of the chapters is unimportant enough to skip.

[April Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

With each chapter a theme, and many articles following it with the philosophical dissection of the ethics of said theme.