The Edge of Life

Description

Resituates bioethics in fundamental outlook by challenging both the dominant Kantian and utilitarian approaches to evaluating how new technologies apply to human life. Drawing on an analysis of the dignity of the human person, both as an agent and as the recipient of action, this book presents a "theoretical" approach to the problems of contemporary bioethics and applies this approach to various disputed questions. Should conjoined twins be split, if the division will end the life of the weaker twin? Was Bush's stem cell research decision morally acceptable? Are the 'quality of life' and 'sanctity of life' ethics irreconcilably incompatible? Accessible to both scholars and students, The Edge of Life focuses particularly on the controversial issues surrounding the beginning and ending of human life, tackling some of the toughest practical questions of bioethics including new reproductive technologies (artificial wombs), stem cell research, abortion and physician assisted suici.

First Sentence

The Edge of Life: Human Dignity and Contemporary Bioethics treats a number of distinct moral questions and finds their answer in the dignity of the person, both as an agent and as a patient (in the sense of the recipient of action).

Subjects

Other Editions

• The Edge of Life: Human Dignity and Contemporary Bioethics (Philosophy and Medicine / Catholic Studies in Bioethics)HardcoverSpringer2005-07-21
• Edge of LifeSpringer London, Limited2005-01-01
• The Edge of LifePaperbackSpringer2008-09-16
• The Edge of LifePaperbackSpringer2011-01-11