Against medical ethics: opening the can of worms. Issue 1 (February 1998)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cassell, J
• Is Part Of: Journal of medical ethics. Volume 24:Issue 1(1998)
• Page Start: 8
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 1998-02
• Subjects: Medical ethics -- Periodicals; 174.2
• DOI: 10.1136/jme.24.1.8
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-6800

Abstract

Abstract : In a controversial paper, David Seedhouse argues that medical ethics is not and cannot be a distinct discipline with it own field of study. He derives this claim from a characterization of ethics, which he states but does not defend. He claims further that the project of medical ethics as it exists and of moral philosophy do not overlap. I show that Seedhouse's views on ethics have wide implications which he does not declare, and in the light of this argue that Seedhouse owes us a defence of his characterization of ethics. Further, I show that his characterization of ethics, which he uses to attack medical ethics, is a committed position within moral philosophy. As a consequence of this, it does not allow the relation between moral philosophy and medical ethics to be discussed without prejudice to its outcome. Finally, I explore the relation between Seedhouse's position and naturalism, and its implications for medical epistemology. I argue that this shows us that Seedhouse's position, if it can be defended, is likely to lead to a fruitful and important line of inquiry which reconnects philosophy and medical ethics.