The Philosophy and Practice of Medicine and Bioethics

Beschreibung

This book explores currently unchallenged methods in medicine, such as “evidence-based medicine”, from the perspectives of humanism and philosophy of medicine. The book discusses issues of medical treatment and moral approaches and indicates the strongest arguments. These arguments are subsequently subjected to critical analysis. The book includes new ways of thinking and explains, uses and exemplifies the “metaphorical method”. The book argues that decision-making in medicine is inadequate unless grounded on a philosophy of medicine. As part of its argumentation, the book explores the insights offered by practical and humanistic philosophy and by creative and critical thinkers who are working on topics relevant to medicine. From this, a new and necessary definition of philosophy of life emerges: a good lifestyle no longer simply means getting physical exercise and abstaining from cigarettes and alcohol; it also means living a holistic life including all of one’s thinking, personality and actions.
This book challenges the unchallenged methods in medicine, such as "evidence-based medicine," which claim to be, but often are not, scientific. It completes medical care by adding the comprehensive humanistic perspectives and philosophy of medicine. No specific or absolute recommendations are given regarding medical treatment, moral approaches, or legal advice. Given rather is discussion about each issue involved and the strongest arguments indicated. Each argument is subject to further critical analysis. This is the same position as with any philosophical, medical or scientific view. The argument that decision-making in medicine is inadequate unless grounded on a philosophy of medicine is not meant to include all of philosophy and every philosopher. On the contrary, it includes only sound, practical and humanistic philosophy and philosophers who are creative and critical thinkers and who have concerned themselves with the topics relevant to medicine. These would be those philosophers who engage in practical philosophy, such as the pragmatists, humanists, naturalists, and ordinary-language philosophers. A new definition of our own philosophy of life emerges and it is necessary to have one. Good lifestyle no longer means just abstaining from cigarettes, alcohol and getting exercise. It also means living a holistic life, which includes all of one's thinking, personality and actions. This book also includes new ways of thinking. In this regard the "Metaphorical Method" is explained, used, and exemplified in depth, for example in the chapters on care, egoism and altruism, letting die, etc.
A complete new way of thinking about methods used in theoretical as well as clinical medicine Explains the Methaphorical Method Definitions, decision-making processes in medicine are analyzed Ethics is explored and differentiated from “medico-theology”and “bio-theology” A philosophy of the body in medicine is offered as well as a philosophy of death and dying

Autor*in

Barbara Maier

Themen in »The Philosophy and Practice of Medicine and Bioethics«

Biotheology Critical Analysis of Medical Practice Decision Making in Medicine End-of-life Decision Enlightenment Management Ethics/Morals Evidence–based Medicine Health Care Hollistic Life Humanistic Philosophy Life-style Medicotheology Metaphorical Method Normative Management Organ Donation

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From the reviews:

“The Philosophy and Practice of Medicine and Bioethics, it provides an overview of the crucial issues being faced in medical practice, replete with interesting case studies and patient-care narratives … . The authors repeatedly encourage good, open communication between patients and healthcare workers as well as between healthcare professionals and management staff. They also advocate constructive dialogue and human relationships based on trust, which are surely relevant aspects of what a philosophy of medicine must promote.” (Francesca Marin, Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics, Vol. 34, 2013)

“This book advocates a philosophy of medicine founded on humanism and naturalism. … a philosophical work providing an honest, detailed, analytical inquiry of prevailing concepts and methods used in medicine. … The book, a mixture of philosophical argument, opinions, case studies, and patient-care narratives from the authors’ experience, is best appreciated … . I found this book to be an informative read … . most understood and best appreciated by academics in moral philosophy and ethics … . the book is surely worth the effort.” (Andrew R. Barnosky, Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 306 (8), August, 2011)

“The purpose is to present a ‘naturalistic, practical, pragmatic, consequentialistic, and humanistic theory of ethics,’ to apply this to the philosophy of medicine, and to examine existing bioethical arguments in light of this theory. A systematic approach to this topic is quite welcome. … the book will be helpful to practitioners, and … healthcare workers (and everyone else) would benefit greatly from paying greater attention to philosophical ethics. … Readers sympathetic to naturalistic and humanistic philosophies are the most likely to find this work helpful.” (D. Robert MacDougall, Doody’s Review Service, February, 2011)

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