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Overview
Forrester discusses animal rights, obligations concerning future generations, abortion, limiting medical treatment, and euthanasia.
Persons are defined as individuals who ought to be treated in accordance with all sound moral principles. The author develops an account of what moral principles are sound, how we can apply them to complex situations, and what makes it reasonable to treat individuals in accordance with particular moral principles. This discussion puts the book's practical conclusions on a sounder basis than much other work on practical ethics. Most such authors state some general principles, but say little about why these principles should be accepted. Moreover, they rarely show how general principles can generate answers to specific dilemmas. Some even maintain that general principles are irrelevant.
Since Forrester is both a nurse practitioner and a philosopher, she has had direct acquaintance with many agonizing situations in medicine.
Summaries of the theoretical conclusions are included to enable nonprofessionals to follow the discussion of practical issues. The book will thus interest not only professional philosophers, but also non-philosophers concerned with problems in medical and environmental ethics, abortion, and animal rights.
Synopsis
Forrester discusses animal rights, obligations concerning future generations, abortion, limiting medical treatment, and euthanasia.
Persons are defined as individuals who ought to be treated in accordance with all sound moral principles. The author develops an account of what moral principles are sound, how we can apply them to complex situations, and what makes it reasonable to treat individuals in accordance with particular moral principles. This discussion puts the book's practical conclusions on a sounder basis than much other work on practical ethics. Most such authors state some general principles, but say little about why these principles should be accepted. Moreover, they rarely show how general principles can generate answers to specific dilemmas. Some even maintain that general principles are irrelevant.
Since Forrester is both a nurse practitioner and a philosopher, she has had direct acquaintance with many agonizing situations in medicine.
Summaries of the theoretical conclusions are included to enable nonprofessionals to follow the discussion of practical issues. The book will thus interest not only professional philosophers, but also non-philosophers concerned with problems in medical and environmental ethics, abortion, and animal rights.
Booknews
A nurse/philosopher develops an account of what moral principles are sound, how we apply them to complex situations, and what makes it reasonable to treat individuals in accordance with particular moral principles. She discusses animals rights, obligations to future generations, abortion, limiting medical treatment, and euthanasia, showing how general principles can generate answers to specific dilemmas. Contains summaries of theoretical conclusions so that nonprofessionals can follow the discussion of practical issues. Of interest to philosophers, and those concerned with problems in medical and environmental ethics, abortion, and animal rights. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)