Description
A Short History of Medical Ethics by Albert R. Jonsen provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of medical ethics from ancient Greece and Asia through to the 1940s. Serving as a “prequel” to his landmark The Birth of Bioethics, Jonsen highlights the evolution of ethical principles in medicine, from the Hippocratic Oath to the significance of medieval casuistry. The book includes a rich selection of quotations and historical examples, making it both informative and accessible.
Jonsen explores the development of professional ethics and the qualities expected of ethical healers throughout history, showing how reflections on character, moral obligations, and community responsibility shaped contemporary bioethics. This densely packed volume is both a scholarly resource and a practical guide for understanding the foundations of medical ethics.
Essential for students, professionals, and anyone interested in the moral and historical dimensions of medicine, A Short History of Medical Ethics illuminates how ethical practice has evolved and continues to influence healthcare today.
