Baruch A. Brody has been one of the most important voices in bioethics over the last several decades, asking new and challenging questions about a range of problems, examining recalcitrant issues in novel ways, always with the goal of offering practical solutions to complex problems. This volume presents a sustained philosophical analysis of Brody’s contributions to biomedical ethics. The essays in this volume compass epistemological, methodological, and topical contributions to bioethics, including both application and criticism 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.
Done well, philosophical work can clarify complex issues, facilitate creative problem solving, and lead to real-world solutions to difficult situations. Each contributor carefully and critically explores Brody’s writings in biomedical ethics and the philosophy of medicine, illustrating his appreciation that thorough and critical scientific research and philosophical analysis are central to reining in the untutored human desire to ameliorate pain and suffering so that medical treatments and health care policy do more good than harm.
From the reviews:
"The collection of essays edited by Mark J. Cherry and Ana S. Iltis is dedicated to the work and life of Baruch A. Brody. Brody has contributed a great part of his work to questions about biomedical ethics; consequently, the focus of this Festschrift is on bioethical issues, too. ... The topics discussed here are of a wide range including public health care policies questions, questions about the right or good way to treat patients, and questions concerning the value of life." (Stefan Riegelnik, Metapsychology Online Reviews, June, 2008)
"This is a collection of essays honoring the life and work of Baruch A. Brody, a preeminent philosopher and bioethicist. ... Bioethicists and philosophers interested in bioethics are the intended readers. It will have broad appeal within bioethics because of the diversity of Brody’s scholarship. ... Brody has long been an important thinker in bioethics, so this book will be of wide interest even to those who are less acquainted with Brody’s work. ... This book is notable for its intimacy with Brody’s scholarship." (Nathaniel J Brown, Doody’s Review Service, September, 2008)
