Ethical Issues in Obstetrics and Gynecology: Across Our Lifespan
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Overview
All persons, while different from one another, have the same value: this is the author's relatively uncontroversial starting point. Her end point is not uncontroversial: an ideal of justice as human flourishing, based on each person's unique set of capabilities. Because the book's focus is women's health care, gender justice, a necessary component of justice, is central to examination of the issues. Classical pragmatists and feminist standpoint theorists are enlisted in support of a strategy by which gender justice is promoted. Two features of the book are unique: (1) the topics presented cover the entire life span of women, not just those related to reproduction; (2) a range views about moral status are applied not only to fetuses but also to individuals already born. Attention to these features is intended to facilitate ethical consistency or moral integrity and respect for those who hold different moral views. While delineating and defending the book's perspective, the first section provides an overview of bioethics, critiques prevalent approaches to bioethics and models of the physician-patient relationship, and sketches distinguishing aspects of women's health care that are prevalently neglected. Positions about moral status are also presented. The second section identifies topics that are indirectly as well as directly related to women's health, such as domestic violence and caregiving. Brief cases illustrate variables relevant to each topic. Empirical and theoretical considerations follow each set of cases; these are intended to precipitate more expansive and critical examination of the issues raised. The last section is devoted to an egalitarian ideal that may be pursued through an ethic of virtue or supererogation rather than obligation. By embracing this ideal, according to the author, moral agents support a more demanding level of morality than guidelines or laws require.
Synopsis
All persons, while different from one another, have the same value: this is the author's relatively uncontroversial starting point. Her end point is not uncontroversial: an ideal of justice as human flourishing, based on each person's unique set of capabilities. Because the book's focus is women's health care, gender justice, a necessary component of justice, is central to examination of the issues. Classical pragmatists and feminist standpoint theorists are enlisted in support of a strategy by which gender justice is promoted. Two features of the book are unique: (1) the topics presented cover the entire life span of women, not just those related to reproduction; (2) a range views about moral status are applied not only to fetuses but also to individuals already born. Attention to these features is intended to facilitate ethical consistency or moral integrity and respect for those who hold different moral views. While delineating and defending the book's perspective, the first section provides an overview of bioethics, critiques prevalent approaches to bioethics and models of the physician-patient relationship, and sketches distinguishing aspects of women's health care that are prevalently neglected. Positions about moral status are also presented. The second section identifies topics that are indirectly as well as directly related to women's health, such as domestic violence and caregiving. Brief cases illustrate variables relevant to each topic. Empirical and theoretical considerations follow each set of cases; these are intended to precipitate more expansive and critical examination of the issues raised. The last section is devoted to an egalitarian ideal that may be pursued through an ethic of virtue or supererogation rather than obligation. By embracing this ideal, according to the author, moral agents support a more demanding level of morality than guidelines or laws require.
Doody Review Services
Reviewer:Christine Gorka, MS, MA(Saint Louis University)
Description:This book uses arguments presented by pragmatists and egalitarian standpoint theorists to analyze the many ethical dilemmas facing women and those who care for them.
Purpose:As the author notes, the purpose is to provide clinicians, students, and teachers of bioethics a guide for addressing the numerous ethical issues arising during treatment of women across the life span.
Audience:This holistic examination is a welcome addition to the growing literature on feminist bioethics. Rather than a singular focus on reproductive issues, the author challenges readers to broaden their understanding of the factors affecting women's health and wellbeing. By including chapters on topics not traditionally covered in women's healthcare ethics (e.g., disposition of in vitro embryos, violence and discrimination, care of the elderly, women in research), she adds much needed depth to the current literature.
Features:While the author directs her arguments to an audience with previous exposure to the field of bioethics, the strength of this book is that the topics and content appeal to a larger audience. Because she avoids the overuse of philosophical language or medical terminology, the material is readily accessible to those outside the healthcare arena. This is the third book by the author in the field of feminist bioethics, confirming her authority in the field.
Assessment:The chapter "Different Starting Points, Standpoints, Endpoints," is particularly valuable. This is because of the substantial effort the author puts into defining key terms and concepts permeating the field of bioethics (e.g., human life, death, and moral status). Her success in this endeavor provides readers with the background they need to analyze and evaluate the competing moral arguments presented. In addition, the strategy of combining case studies, empirical evidence, along with theoretical considerations, provides a helpful mechanism for bridging these divergent areas. This is a well written, thought provoking book and a welcome addition to any library.
Editorials
Reviewer: Christine Gorka, MS, MA(Saint Louis University)
Description: This book uses arguments presented by pragmatists and egalitarian standpoint theorists to analyze the many ethical dilemmas facing women and those who care for them.
Purpose: As the author notes, the purpose is to provide clinicians, students, and teachers of bioethics a guide for addressing the numerous ethical issues arising during treatment of women across the life span.
Audience: This holistic examination is a welcome addition to the growing literature on feminist bioethics. Rather than a singular focus on reproductive issues, the author challenges readers to broaden their understanding of the factors affecting women's health and wellbeing. By including chapters on topics not traditionally covered in women's healthcare ethics (e.g., disposition of in vitro embryos, violence and discrimination, care of the elderly, women in research), she adds much needed depth to the current literature.
Features: While the author directs her arguments to an audience with previous exposure to the field of bioethics, the strength of this book is that the topics and content appeal to a larger audience. Because she avoids the overuse of philosophical language or medical terminology, the material is readily accessible to those outside the healthcare arena. This is the third book by the author in the field of feminist bioethics, confirming her authority in the field.
Assessment: The chapter "Different Starting Points, Standpoints, Endpoints," is particularly valuable. This is because of the substantial effort the author puts into defining key terms and concepts permeating the field of bioethics (e.g., human life, death, and moral status). Her success in this endeavor provides readers with the background they need to analyze and evaluate the competing moral arguments presented. In addition, the strategy of combining case studies, empirical evidence, along with theoretical considerations, provides a helpful mechanism for bridging these divergent areas. This is a well written, thought provoking book and a welcome addition to any library.