Empirical Bioethics: Theoretical and Practical Perspectives

Description

Bioethics has long been accepted as an interdisciplinary field. The recent 'empirical turn' in bioethics is however, creating challenges that move beyond those of simple interdisciplinary collaboration, as researchers grapple with the methodological, empirical and meta-ethical challenges of combining the normative and the empirical, as well as navigating the difficulties that can arise from attempts to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries. Empirical Bioethics: Practical and Theoretical Perspectives brings together contributions from leading experts in the field which speak to these challenges; providing insight into how they can be understood and suggestions for how they might be overcome. Combining discussions of meta-ethical challenges, examples of different methodologies for integrating empirical and normative research, and reflection on the challenges of conducting and publishing such work, this book will both introduce the novice to the field and challenge the expert. Cover......Page 1 Half-title page......Page 3 Series page......Page 4 Title page......Page 5 Copyright page......Page 6 Contents......Page 7 List of Contributors......Page 9 Preface......Page 11 Acknowledgements......Page 15 Part I Theoretical Perspectives......Page 17 1 Theoretical Perspectives: An Introduction......Page 19 2 Empirical Bioethics and the Fact/Value Distinction......Page 33 3 Metaethics, Relativism and Empirical Bioethics......Page 49 4 Empirical Bioethics and the Role of the Professional Ethicist in Policy-Making: Politics, Authority and Expertise......Page 67 5 Evidence, Epistemology and Empirical Bioethics......Page 83 6 Friends, Foes, Flatmates: On the Relationship between Law and (Empirical) Bioethics......Page 100 7 Embracing Diversity in Empirical Bioethics......Page 119 Part II Practical Perspectives......Page 139 8 Practical Perspectives: An Introduction......Page 141 9 Moral Improvement through Interactive Research: A Practice Example of Dialogical Empirical Bioethics......Page 155 10 Reflective Equilibrium as a Normative Empirical Model: The Case of Ashley X......Page 175 11 Theory and Practice of Democratic Deliberation in Bioethics Research......Page 193 12 Feminist Empirical Bioethics......Page 211 13 Lessons from Experience: Establishing and Running Interdisciplinary Mixed-Method Bioethics Research......Page 238 14 Publishing Research in Empirical Bioethics: Quality, Disciplines and Expertise......Page 251 Index......Page 272