Abstract

The influential biomedical ethics text Principles of Biomedical Ethics, by Tom L. Beauchamp and James F. Childress, has come under criticism lately. One major criticism is that its reliance on individual history and tradition to support individual moral judgements leads to moral relativism. Another criticism is that it does not pay enough attention to the role of moral perception, compassion, individual particulars, and communication in defining moral problems and facilitating moral decision-making. This dissertation examines these criticisms and how they can help Beauchamp & Childress' theory improve its ability to guide individuals in clinical decision-making in situations involving maternal-fetal conflicts