Drawing upon the author's two decades teaching medical ethics, as well as his work as a practicing psychiatrist, this book offers up challenging ethical dilemmas and asks readers: What would you do?
This enjoyable, informative book...succeeds at answering its own framing question[s] and shares current thinking on the matter under investigation ... Instead of seeing just an interesting collection of stories—on topics ranging from the vaccine debate to end-of-life issues—I began to notice the ethical outline of our society today. The book covers the core curriculum of medical ethics in a way that doesn’t scream 'medical textbook.' Instead, it reveals the deft hand of a storyteller sharing how society has agreed to tackle those complex problems that have no clear or obvious answers.
Appel rarely offers a directive or a 'correct' answer; rather, he leaves each case open-ended in the hope that it will stimulate thought and discussion. Additionally, further reading options at the end of the work provide ample resources for each reflection ... An engaging, thought-provoking, and accessible exploration of the many knotty issues that have appeared in newspaper headlines or challenged medical professionals behind closed doors.
Throughout, Appel’s scenario approach works well, as readers are challenged to weigh the morality of decisions in our increasingly complex medical world. An easy-to-digest compendium of bioethical issues that provides plenty of food for thought.
