In this rigorous and necessary book, Kristien Hens brings together bioethics and the philosophy of biology to argue that it is ethically necessary for scientific research to include a place for the philosopher. As well as ethical, their role is conceptual: they can improve the quality and coherence of scientific research by ensuring that particular concepts are used consistently and thoughtfully across interdisciplinary projects. Hens argues that chance and uncertainty play a central part in bioethics, but that these qualities can be in tension with the attempt to establish a given theory as scientific knowledge: in describing organisms and practices, in a sense we create the world. Hens contends that this is necessarily an ethical activity. Examining genetic research, biomedical ethics, autism research and the concept of risk, Hens illustrates that there is no ‘universal’ or ‘neutral’ state of scientific and clinical knowledge, and that attending to the situatedness of individual experience is essential to understand the world around us, to know its (and our) limitations, and to forge an ethical future. Chance Encounters is aimed at a broad audience of researchers in bioethics, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, as well as biomedical and environmental scientists. It will also be relevant to policymakers, and the artwork by Christina Stadlbauer and Bartaku will be of interest to artists and writers working at the intersection of art and science.
Type of Material:
Open (Access) Textbook
Recommended Uses:
Could be used as a required or supplemental course textbook in bioethics course.
It could be read as a self-paced book.
Technical Requirements:
Internet access
Chrome and iPhone used to view online book. Options for free download or to read online available. There is an option for a printed version.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
The ebook provides thought provoking information about medical bioethics related to current issues like COVID-19 and immunizations.
After reading this book, the reader/learner will be able to:
Describe how ethics is related to science.
Describe bioethics.
Reason if it is better to achieve natural immunity from a virus or if a vaccine would be better.
Explain the influence of genes vs. environment.
Contrast development and ethics.
Describe the relationship between science, life, and bioethics.
Explain symbiosis and interdependency.
Describe building a framework for ethics.
Describe autism and research for a biomarker.
Target Student Population:
College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Content may build on bioethics or be used as new content.
Basic computer skills.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The content is valid/accurate/reliable.
The book depicts reality.
Content is appropriate and thought provoking.
The book seems complete.
Relevant/Important/Valuable concepts are discussed.
The book teaches content within bioethics.
The content helps to explain difficult concepts.
The validity and significance are consistent.
Concerns:
Some discussion is vague which could be purposeful to provoke thoughts in the reader.
The resource does not offer simple solutions for bioethical issues.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Content builds on prior ethical concepts by other authors in previous books.
Efficient content written on 268 pages.
Provides table of contents and index to help navigate information.
This book is both a description and exploration of the problem.
The book does facilitate learning the concepts.
The concepts are presented with clarity and organization.
The material is innovative and goes deeper into bioethics than many other sources.
It is engaging and intriguing.
Since it is a book, it does not contribute to every learning style. It includes text and images.
It does provide examples. The chapter on autism was an excellent example.
It does provide a good introduction and overview.
Concerns:
Some topics are adressed briefly with quick reference to previous works by other authors.
An increase of multimedia incorporation may appeal to a variety of diverse learning styles.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Ebook is engaging and well written with logical flow of content.
Information is presented in familiar ways (a book).
The book is simple to read online or download.
It is self-contained, like most book.
The presentation is clear without distractions.
The terms are well explained, and examples are given.
The book is well organized by chapters.
There are no plug-ins or bugs.
Creative Commons:
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