Pluralistic Casuistry: Moral Arguments, Economic Realities, and Political Theory

Baruch A. Brody has been one of the most important voices in bioethics over the last several decades, asking challenging questions, examining tough issues in novel ways, and offering practical solutions. This volume of essays analyzes his contributions to biomedical ethics. The essays encompass epistemological, methodological, and topical contributions to bioethics. They include both applications and criticisms of Brody's normative moral theory pluralistic casuistry, Jewish medical ethics, human embryo transfer, medical futility, life and death decisions in pediatrics, euthanasia and end-of-life decision-making, the obligations of clinical researchers toward study participants, and professional integrity. There is also an essay by Brody himself that amplifies and responds to the contributions. Collectively, the essays highlight Brody's belief that scientific research and philosophical analysis are central to ensuring that medical treatments and health care policy do more good than harm.