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Principles of Biomedical Ethics
Building on the best-selling tradition of previous editions, Principles of Biomedical Ethics, Seventh Edition, provides a highly original, practical, and insightful guide to morality in the health professions. Acclaimed authors Tom L. Beauchamp and James F. Childress thoroughly develop and
advocate for four principles that lie at the core of moral reasoning in health respect for autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, and justice. Drawing from contemporary research--and integrating detailed case studies and vivid real-life examples and scenarios--they demonstrate how these prima
facie principles can be expanded to apply to various conflicts and dilemmas, from how to deliver bad news to whether or not to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatments.
Illuminating both theory and method throughout, Principles of Biomedical Ethics, Seventh Edition, considers what constitutes moral character and addresses the problem of moral what rights are due to people and animals, and when. It also examines the professional-patient relationship, surveys
major philosophical theories--including utilitarianism, Kantianism, rights theory, and virtue theory--and describes methods of moral justification in bioethics. Ideal for courses in biomedical ethics, bioethics, and health care ethics, the text is enhanced by hundreds of annotated citations and a
substantial introduction that clarifies key terms and concepts.
NEW TO THE SEVENTH EDITION
Ch. 1: A clarified and more concise treatment of the common morality and its distinction from both particular moralities and the broad descriptive use of the term "morality"
Ch. 3: New sections on degrees of moral status and the moral significance of moral status
Ch. 4: A revised section on the therapeutic use of placebos and expanded coverage of theories of autonomy and information-processing issues
Ch. 5: New material on historical problems of underprotection and recent problems of overprotection in human subjects research
Ch. 6: A new section on expanded access and continued access in research and a relocated and integrated discussion of surrogate decision making for incompetent patients
Ch. 7: A distinction between traditional theories of justice and more recent theories like capabilities and well-being
Ch. 8: A new section on clinical ethics and research ethics
Ch. 9: A whole new section on virtue theory, which expands the account from Ch. 2 of the previous edition, and on rights theory
Ch. 10: An extended and more in-depth discussion of the authors' theory of method and justification in bioethics
A new Companion Website at www.oup.com/us/beauchamp featuring suggestions for effectively using the book in the classroom, possible syllabi and examination questions, additional readings, useful exercises, and cases for discussion
advocate for four principles that lie at the core of moral reasoning in health respect for autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, and justice. Drawing from contemporary research--and integrating detailed case studies and vivid real-life examples and scenarios--they demonstrate how these prima
facie principles can be expanded to apply to various conflicts and dilemmas, from how to deliver bad news to whether or not to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatments.
Illuminating both theory and method throughout, Principles of Biomedical Ethics, Seventh Edition, considers what constitutes moral character and addresses the problem of moral what rights are due to people and animals, and when. It also examines the professional-patient relationship, surveys
major philosophical theories--including utilitarianism, Kantianism, rights theory, and virtue theory--and describes methods of moral justification in bioethics. Ideal for courses in biomedical ethics, bioethics, and health care ethics, the text is enhanced by hundreds of annotated citations and a
substantial introduction that clarifies key terms and concepts.
NEW TO THE SEVENTH EDITION
Ch. 1: A clarified and more concise treatment of the common morality and its distinction from both particular moralities and the broad descriptive use of the term "morality"
Ch. 3: New sections on degrees of moral status and the moral significance of moral status
Ch. 4: A revised section on the therapeutic use of placebos and expanded coverage of theories of autonomy and information-processing issues
Ch. 5: New material on historical problems of underprotection and recent problems of overprotection in human subjects research
Ch. 6: A new section on expanded access and continued access in research and a relocated and integrated discussion of surrogate decision making for incompetent patients
Ch. 7: A distinction between traditional theories of justice and more recent theories like capabilities and well-being
Ch. 8: A new section on clinical ethics and research ethics
Ch. 9: A whole new section on virtue theory, which expands the account from Ch. 2 of the previous edition, and on rights theory
Ch. 10: An extended and more in-depth discussion of the authors' theory of method and justification in bioethics
A new Companion Website at www.oup.com/us/beauchamp featuring suggestions for effectively using the book in the classroom, possible syllabi and examination questions, additional readings, useful exercises, and cases for discussion
480 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 1978
47 people are currently reading
469 people want to read
About the author
Tom L. Beauchamp
40Ìýbooks12ÌýfollowersTom Lamar Beauchamp was an American philosopher specializing in the work of David Hume, moral philosophy, bioethics, and animal ethics. He was Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Georgetown University, where he was Senior Research Scholar at the Kennedy Institute of Ethics.
Beauchamp authored or co-authored several books on ethics and on Hume, including Hume and the Problem of Causation (1981, with Alexander Rosenberg), Principles of Biomedical Ethics (1985, with James F. Childress), and The Human Use of Animals (1998, with F. Barbara Orlans et al). He was the co-editor with R. G. Frey of The Oxford Handbook of Animal Ethics (2011). He was also the co-editor of the complete works of Hume, The Critical Edition of the Works of David Hume (1999), published by Oxford University Press.
Beauchamp authored or co-authored several books on ethics and on Hume, including Hume and the Problem of Causation (1981, with Alexander Rosenberg), Principles of Biomedical Ethics (1985, with James F. Childress), and The Human Use of Animals (1998, with F. Barbara Orlans et al). He was the co-editor with R. G. Frey of The Oxford Handbook of Animal Ethics (2011). He was also the co-editor of the complete works of Hume, The Critical Edition of the Works of David Hume (1999), published by Oxford University Press.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
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June 21, 2011Very dry, but what do you expect, it is a textbook. We just finished our module on respect for autonomy and I do have a quote that sticks in my head concerning the best interest standard (principle for a surrogate decision maker for a formerly competent person): "Best interest judgments are meant to focus attention entirely on the value of life for the person who must live it not on the value the person's life has for others." How true.
September 22, 2020
4.5 stars. I would say this book is indispensable for those interested in medical ethics, as the authors� four-norms (Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, Respect for Autonomy, and Justice) approach has become basically the universal starting point for at least American and British applied medical ethics. Unless you’re a fellow philosopher arguing about the fitness of their approach, if you’re involved in medical ethics (or if you’ve taken a human subjects research training course, for that matter) you’ve been exposed to their approach. The book is very thorough and thoughtful, seems exceptionally balanced in addressing the criticisms of other bioethical philosophers—though I’m not a philosopher myself, so I didn’t exactly follow all of the specifics of those sections � and is also refreshingly balanced in its discussion of especially controversial topics in medical ethics, such as abortion and physician-assisted suicide. On these “tough topics� the authors make clear where they stand, but also very clear that reasonable people can disagree and don’t belittle those who do.
Except for the last chapter (specifically about competing philosophical approaches and so not aimed at non-philosophers) I found the writing clear and relatively easy to follow. The style is fairly dry, unsurprisingly, which is why I read it over many months. Not the most enjoyable thing I ever read, per se, but definitely enlightening and thought-provoking. Most people could probably get away with a la detailed read than I gave it too (more of a skim). The notes are also chock-full of references to basically every important medical ethics paper and legal case, and some might argue the book is worth it for the reference list alone.
It’s the seminal book in the field for a reason, and interested folks should definitely be familiar with it, even if you don’t necessarily read every word.
Except for the last chapter (specifically about competing philosophical approaches and so not aimed at non-philosophers) I found the writing clear and relatively easy to follow. The style is fairly dry, unsurprisingly, which is why I read it over many months. Not the most enjoyable thing I ever read, per se, but definitely enlightening and thought-provoking. Most people could probably get away with a la detailed read than I gave it too (more of a skim). The notes are also chock-full of references to basically every important medical ethics paper and legal case, and some might argue the book is worth it for the reference list alone.
It’s the seminal book in the field for a reason, and interested folks should definitely be familiar with it, even if you don’t necessarily read every word.
June 9, 2009
I read this for a Bioethics course in college. Would really like to revisit and re-read before I start seeing patients :)
September 19, 2023
This is a seminal work that has significantly shaped the field of bioethics since its first publication. Childress provides a comprehensive framework for ethical analysis in medicine, grounded in seven key principles: autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, justice, fidelity, veracity, and sanctity of life. The book is a tour de force in ethical reasoning, offering a balanced approach that respects both the individual's rights and the collective good. Beauchamp and Childress' writing is both scholarly and accessible, making complex ethical dilemmas understandable without oversimplifying them. His multi-principled approach allows for a nuanced understanding of bioethical issues, ranging from patient consent to resource allocation, and from medical research to end-of-life decisions.
What makes "Principles of Biomedical Ethics" particularly compelling is its interdisciplinary approach. Beauchamp and Childress draw from philosophy, law, and medicine to create a robust ethical framework that can be applied in a variety of biomedical contexts. The book is not just theoretical; it includes numerous case studies and real-world examples that help to illustrate the practical applications of the principles discussed. This makes it an invaluable resource for healthcare professionals, ethicists, and students alike. The book's influence is evident, as its principles have been widely adopted and are often cited in bioethical debates and policy-making. Overall, "Principles of Biomedical Ethics" stands as a cornerstone in the field of bioethics, offering a comprehensive and thoughtful guide for ethical decision-making in medicine.
What makes "Principles of Biomedical Ethics" particularly compelling is its interdisciplinary approach. Beauchamp and Childress draw from philosophy, law, and medicine to create a robust ethical framework that can be applied in a variety of biomedical contexts. The book is not just theoretical; it includes numerous case studies and real-world examples that help to illustrate the practical applications of the principles discussed. This makes it an invaluable resource for healthcare professionals, ethicists, and students alike. The book's influence is evident, as its principles have been widely adopted and are often cited in bioethical debates and policy-making. Overall, "Principles of Biomedical Ethics" stands as a cornerstone in the field of bioethics, offering a comprehensive and thoughtful guide for ethical decision-making in medicine.
January 20, 2018
The newest edition of this book is - for a book on ethics - quite approachable and very well organised. Focus on a principle based perspective on biomedical ethics is now well justified and clearly helps frame thought on ethical problems, dilemma etc. without leaving no room for judgement or consideration. I really enjoyed reading this and there are lots of insightful and thought-provoking areas (for instance the discussion of who has moral status, challenge to the distinction between killing and allowing to die, and justification of morals).
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July 5, 2023This was one of the best books of my life that I read at the suggestion of one of the professors while studying at .
Principles of Biomedical Ethics" is a widely used textbook that provides an overview of ethical issues in healthcare and biomedicine. The book presents a framework for ethical decision-making known as the "four principles approach" and is essential reading for anyone working in the healthcare field or interested in medical ethics. It is praised for its clear writing style, detailed explanations, and practical examples.
Principles of Biomedical Ethics" is a widely used textbook that provides an overview of ethical issues in healthcare and biomedicine. The book presents a framework for ethical decision-making known as the "four principles approach" and is essential reading for anyone working in the healthcare field or interested in medical ethics. It is praised for its clear writing style, detailed explanations, and practical examples.
January 22, 2022
Read this textbook for my thesis. Explained the Principalism approach in bioethics and described the four principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-malevolence and justice, which are instrumental to ethical decisions in healthcare. Requires sufficient understanding of philosophy and medicine but I found it engaging and interesting.
July 3, 2021
I read the 8th edition, but I can't find that on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. Great read for those studying Medicine or Allied Health Subjects (I used it as a part of my BSc Paramedic Science). Technical language used in this book, knowledge of biomedical ethic is definitely recommend before reading!
May 30, 2023
Principalism with Respect for Autonomy, Nonmaleficence, Beneficence, and Justice. Good introductory reading for my research on medical ideals and ethics which allowed me to understand one prevailing paradigm of ethics.
March 28, 2024
ok so i didn’t read this book all the way through but im using for a research paper and it is AMAZING. thorough, insightful, and and well written. This book is a masterpiece and an invaluable contribution to the scientific community.
March 2, 2018
As with the other bioethics book in my reading library, the author did a great job of explaining concepts.
October 10, 2020
worth reading; got the drift of the four principles of autonomy, justice, beneficence and non-maleficie ice which they were not teaching per se in medical school in the 1970's/
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December 9, 2020DNP/NNP year 1 semester 3.
August 11, 2021
Awesome quintessential reading in the field. This represents the 8th revision of the 40 year old seminal text.
May 21, 2008
I decided to use this book for my Biomedical Ethics course. One-third of the way through the course, I have decided that this is a fine introduction to Biomedical Ethics. The approach is rooted in principlism, detailing what the authors deem the four main principles of Biomedical Ethics (autonomy, non-maleficence, benificence, and justice). I admit that I find the layout of the book somewhat unsatisfactory:
(1) The chapters on general, normative ethical theories appear at the end of the book.
(2) The aretaic turn is reduced to a watered-down "Ethics of Care"
(3) Social Contract Theory is (seemingly) favored, under the guises of "Liberal Individualism" and "Communitarianism".
I'll fill in more as the semester progresses...
(1) The chapters on general, normative ethical theories appear at the end of the book.
(2) The aretaic turn is reduced to a watered-down "Ethics of Care"
(3) Social Contract Theory is (seemingly) favored, under the guises of "Liberal Individualism" and "Communitarianism".
I'll fill in more as the semester progresses...
May 12, 2008
A well written introduction to the interdisciplinary field of medical ethics. It contains both theory and application that can be implemented in medical review boards as well as hospital ethics committees. However, applying these principles does require a basic understanding of philosophy and law; relative to medicine.
My advice: I recommend potential readers to understand the philosophy of medicine before actually reading Beauchamp. It will certainly help you critically analyze the logic of medicine. Very powerful!!!
My advice: I recommend potential readers to understand the philosophy of medicine before actually reading Beauchamp. It will certainly help you critically analyze the logic of medicine. Very powerful!!!
May 25, 2013
Principlism 101, if you need to start somewhere on the subject, start here. However I don't really adhere to the train of thought, so while I have no qualms with the quality of this book, I'm not mindblown by the content.
August 23, 2023
A great way to learn about ethics in a biomedical context. This was a recommended reading for my ethics and professionalism class which has focused on ethics frameworks in addictions and mental health practices.
September 21, 2007
Bioethics and health care policy - Principles of Health Care Ethics
August 11, 2009
I read this book in preparation for the Bioethics Institute at Georgetown. This is indeed one of the most classic pieces of literature in bioethics.
June 28, 2010
A little dry but thorough
March 30, 2013
the authors tried to explain main ethical principles in this book, but I think it does not have adequate structure.
May 27, 2013
Very much a textbook... I learned a lot, but it isn't light reading for a non-philosophy student!
May 29, 2016
You learn quite a lot from a bioethical book like this. On my final project I took neuroethics and it came out really good.
January 11, 2018
While quite "dry" and straight to the point, the book provides essential notes that should allow medical professional to explore the principles of medical ethics more comprehensively and apply them in a clinical context. I really enjoyed the knowledge I gained from it and also thinking about the intriguing conflicts between elements of the principles and how they can be avoided. I would have liked greater discussion into different deontological theories such as Kantianism, and how these influence decision making on a macro scale.
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