Conscientious Objection in Medicine

The Element examines ethical and conceptual issues about conscientious objection in medicine. Concepts analyzed include conscientious objection, conscientious provision, conscience, moral complicity, and moral integrity. Several ongoing ethical controversies are identified and critically analyzed. One is a disagreement about whether conscientious objection is compatible with physicians' professional obligations. The Element argues that incompatibilists fail to offer a justifiable specification of professional obligations that supports their position. The Element also argues that a challenge for compatibilists who support a reason-giving requirement is to specify justifiable and unambiguous criteria for reviewing objectors' reasons. Arguments for and against requirements to inform and refer patients are critically analyzed, and an alternative, context-dependent requirement is offered. Another subject of controversy is about the justifiability of asymmetry between responses to conscientious objectors and conscientious providers. Typically, only the former receive accommodation. The Element critically examines arguments for asymmetry and maintains that none provides a convincing justification.

Product details

• Authors: Mark Wicclair, Mark (University of Pittsburgh) Wicclair
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 30.04.2024
• EAN: 9781009074797
• ISBN: 978-1-0-0907479-7
• No. of pages: 92
• Dimensions: 150 mm x 228 mm x 5 mm
• Series: Print on Demand; Elements in Bioethics and Neuroethics
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Medicine; Non-fiction book > Psychology, esoterics, spirituality, anthroposophy > Applied psychology; MEDICAL / Ethics, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Disease & Health Issues, PSYCHOLOGY / Developmental / General, SCIENCE / Philosophy & Social Aspects, LAW / Medical Law & Legislation, Illness & addiction: social aspects, Bioethics, Bio-ethics, Medical & healthcare law, Health, illness and addiction: social aspects, Medical ethics and professional conduct, Medical ethics & professional conduct, Medical and healthcare law