Moral Problems in Medicine

Ian W. Toal is a registered nurse in Barrie, Ontario.

Although intended to be a practical guide to ethical thinking, with an
emphasis on medical ethics, this book is a challenging read. It outlines
most of the major ethical frameworks that underlie Western society, and
discusses how each of them may apply to medical situations. For example,
the ethical theory of Egoism (defined as “each person out to act to
maximise his or her own long-term good or well being”) is discussed in
detail, after which the author considers its application to an issue
like abortion.

The book is set up as a workbook. Sections of text are followed by a
set of questions to answer, or at least think about. Similarly, there
are case studies and examples to mull over. Although the book is not
academic by design, the complex nature of the subject makes the text
difficult to follow at times. For that reason, Moral Problems in
Medicine is recommended for those with a fairly strong interest in
ethical thinking.