Uncertain Bioethics

This book aims to make a significant contribution to the bioethics literature by culling the insights from contemporary moral psychology to highlight the epistemic pitfalls and distorting influences on our apprehension of value.

Stephen Napier is an associate professor of philosophy at Villanova University. His previous publications include Virtue Epistemology: Motivation and Knowledge, and he edited Persons, Moral Worth, and Embryos. His interests include epistemology, bioethics, and the metaphysics of persons.

Chapter 1. Introduction Part I. Foundational Matters: The Perception of Value, Persons, and Human Worth Chapter 2. Moral Inquiry and the Apprehension of Value Chapter 3. Epistemic Justification, Peer Disagreement, and Practical Interest Chapter 4. Persons and Human Beings Chapter 5. Human Dignity Part II. Dignity as the Beginning and End of Life Chapter 6. Abortion Chapter 7. Human Embryonic Destructive Stem Cell Research Chapter 8. Euthanasia Part III. Balancing Dignity and Autonomy Chapter 9. Decision-Making for Patients with Suppressed Consciousness Chapter 10. Decision-Making for Patients with Apparent Competency Chapter 11. Risky Research on Competent Adults: Justice and Autonomy Chapter 12: Conclusion