Cross Cultural Perspectives in Medical Ethics / Edition 2

by Robert M. Veatch

Overview

It starts with the definitive twentieth century analysis of the Hippoc ratic Oath and then shows how most religious and philosophical traditi ons differ from the ethical commitments contained in that classic docu ment. Some like the quaint, medieval "Hippocratic Oath In So Far as a Christian May Swear It," show how it is impossible to commit to both t he Hippocratic Oath and the Christian (or Jewish) religion at the same time. Others, representing modern secular liberal political philosoph y, show how the mainstream of Western law and philosophy are radically at odds with the Hippocratic tradition. Still others reflect ancient Eastern cultures—Hinduism, Buddhism, and the philosophies of China—o r other traditions outside the modern, liberal West, such as Islam and Marxism. The second edition includes, for the first time, articles pr esenting perspectives on both African and African-American medical eth ics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763713324
Publisher:	Jones & Bartlett Learning
Publication date:	02/01/2000
Series:	Cross-Cultural Perpectives in Medical Ethics
Edition description:	2E
Pages:	380
Product dimensions:	6.26(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.78(d)

About the Author

Veatch, Robert M. (Georgetown Univ)

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Hippocratic Tradition
-Introduction
-The Hippocratic Oath: Text, Translation, and Interpretation, Ludwig Edelstein
-Declaration of Geneva, World Medical Association
-The Florence Nightengale Pledge
-Solemn Oath of a Physician of Russia

Chapter 2: Modifying the Hippocratic Tradition
-Introduction
-The Oath According to Hippocrates in so Far as a Christian May Swear it
-Medical Ethics, 1803, Thomas Percival
-Principles of Medical Ethics, 1957, American Medical Association
-Toward an Expanded Medical Ethics: The Hippocratic Ethic Revisited, Edmund D. Pellegrino
-Principles of Medical Ethics, 1980, American Medical Association

Chapter 3: The Dominant Western Competitors
-Introduction
-Judaism
-Roman Catholicism
-Protestantism

Chapter 4: Medical Ethics in Liberal Political Philosophy
-Introduction
-Liberalism: The Basic Concept
-Respect for Persons
-Autonomy
-Justice
-Rights-Based Codes
-Consumer Bill of Rights and Responsibilites: Report to the President of the United States

Chapter 5: Medical Ethical Theories Outside Western Culture
-Introduction
-Eastern Europe
-Islam
-India, Hinduism, and Jainism
-Japan and Buddhism
-Confucianism, Traditional and Contemporary China

Chapter 6: African and African-American Perspectives
-Introduction
-African Medical Ethics
-African-American Medical Ethics

Chapter 7: Hispanic Perspectives
-Introduction
-Hispanic Medical Ethics

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: John Song, MD, MPH, MAT (University of Minnesota)
Description: This is a comprehensive overview of different cultural approaches to the practice of medicine. It is notable for the inclusion of many significant and influential oaths and codes of ethics.
Purpose: The editor's intent, clearly stated, is to gather important documents from non-Western traditions as well as selective readings that might shed light on these documents. These are worthy objectives, especially given that, although many volumes exist on cross-cultural ethics, not many bring together original sources such as this volume. This objective of bringing together original sources is an important one, as much of what is taught today comes filtered through the lens of another. And the editor meets this major objective with grace.
Audience: This book is intended for students at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. And it is a wonderful book for this audience. However, I would suggest that anyone, including laypersons as well as healthcare providers could benefit from having this volume. Not only is the content relevant, but the editor has gathered authoritative contributors and sources.
Features: As noted, this is a comprehensive book with various oaths and codes of conduct that might be relevant to the delivery of healthcare. However, more than half of the book is devoted to the Western Judeo-Christian heritage. This ground is covered in other volumes, so it may have been better to exclude it. Instead, a broader coverage of other traditions as well as more commentary on these other heritages may have been more useful.
Assessment: This volume is extremely comprehensive for its size, and the use of primary source materials is crucial. I would love to see an expanded version in the next edition that includes more about other traditions and less of the much-covered Western tradition.

Doody's Review Service

3 Stars from Doody

This is a comprehensive overview of different cultural approaches to the practice of medicine. It is notable for the inclusion of many significant and influential oaths and codes of ethics. The editor's intent, clearly stated, is to gather important documents from non-Western traditions as well as selective readings that might shed light on these documents. These are worthy objectives, especially given that, although many volumes exist on cross-cultural ethics, not many bring together original sources such as this volume. This objective of bringing together original sources is an important one, as much of what is taught today comes filtered through the lens of another. And the editor meets this major objective with grace. This book is intended for students at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. And it is a wonderful book for this audience. However, I would suggest that anyone, including laypersons as well as healthcare providers could benefit from having this volume. Not only is the content relevant, but the editor has gathered authoritative contributors and sources. As noted, this is a comprehensive book with various oaths and codes of conduct that might be relevant to the delivery of healthcare. However, more than half of the book is devoted to the Western Judeo-Christian heritage. This ground is covered in other volumes, so it may have been better to exclude it. Instead, a broader coverage of other traditions as well as more commentary on these other heritages may have been more useful. This volume is extremely comprehensive for its size, and the use of primary source materials is crucial. I would love to see an expanded version in the next edition that includes moreabout other traditions and less of the much-covered Western tradition.

John Song

Adding African and African-American perspectives to update the 1989 edition, 43 readings (1803-1998) explore the medical ethics of major Western and Eastern religious, philosophical, and legal traditions. Several point out how the Hippocratic Oath influenced other ethics, yet conflicts with the Judeo-Christian tradition and liberal Western philosophy and law. Recent foci include patients' rights and bioethics. Veatch is with the Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown U. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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