This book systematically reviews a variety of methods for addressing ethical problems in medicine, accounting for both their weaknesses and strengths. Illustrated throughout with specific cases or controversies, the book aims to develop an informed eclecticism that knows how to pick the right tool for the right job.

Introduction ; Chapter 1: The Indispensability of Principles ; Chapter 2: The Limits of Principles ; Chapter 3: Putting Principles in Context: Balancing, Specification and Reflective Equilibrium ; Chapter 4: Casuistry: Ruled by Cases ; Chapter 5: Narrative Ethics: The Uses of Stories ; Chapter 6: Feminism, Context and Care ; Chapter 7: Virtue Theory ; Chapter 8: Fitting Methods to Cases

No other bioethics book so adroitly combines methodological survey with critical synthesis as this one does... This book should be regarded as mandatory reading for all serious students of medical ethics.

"No other bioethics book so adroitly combines methodological survey with critical synthesis as this one does. Perhaps its closest similar competitor is Fragmentation and Consensus: Communitarian and Casuist Bioethics, Kuczeswki (Georgetown University Press, 1997), an excellent but less comprehensive book. This book should be regarded as mandatory reading for all serious students of medical ethics." -- DOODY'S "In Methods in Medical Ethics--Critical Perspectives, Tomlinson critically surveys a range of methods ranging over application of principles (including consequentialist principles), casuistry, narrative ethics, feminist ethics, and virtue theory. He elucidates the method inherent in each of these approaches and then asks a very interesting question that I will paraphrase as, 'How far does this method get us towards a definite answer to serious moral questions, on its own?'... What Tomlinson shows quite convincingly is, that although all of the methods he discusses have an ability to illuminate important moral features of the problematic situation, they run out as decision making tools long before we reach a definite answer. Definite answers can only be had if we draw on resources that are outside our method." -- Søren Holm, Editor, Clinical Ethics "For anyone interested in a comprehensive, accurate, critical, and clearly written analysis of current methods in practical medical ethics: this is the book. It is astounding that Tomlinson is able to effect such a detailed and rigorous survey, to so adroitly assimilate lessons learned into useful guidance for addressing practical problems, and to do all this in just over 200 pages, without technical jargon." Griffin Trotter, Saint Louis University, Doody's Health Science Book Review

Selling point: - Provides a comprehensive and balanced review of methods for addressing ethical problems in medicine. Selling point: - Illustrates strengths and weaknesses of methods through discussion of specific cases or problems.

Tom Tomlinson has been writing, speaking and teaching on a wide variety of issues in medical ethics since 1981. He has provided clinical ethics consultation for several hospitals in Michigan, and advised on policy for a variety of health care institutions. His work on determinations of death and futile resuscitation have significantly affected medical practice and policy.

Selling point: - Provides a comprehensive and balanced review of methods for addressing ethical problems in medicine. Selling point: - Illustrates strengths and weaknesses of methods through discussion of specific cases or problems.