From Book News, Inc.
Mackler (theology, Duquesne U.) compares the bioethical positions of the Jewish and Roman Catholic faiths. The volume begins with an overview of the central values and moral methods of the two traditions. This is followed by individual chapters comparing Jewish and Catholic views on five issues: active euthanasia, end-of-life treatment decisions, abortion, in vitro fertilization, and the allocation of health care resources.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR Rating 5.0
A Good BookAt first Glance this book looked boring, but as I looked closer and read it, it became goodCompelling Review of Bioethics IssuesMackler presents a balanced and insightful discussion of bioethics issues today. His summary of both the Catholic and Jewish perspectives present both the divergent and often convergent views of these major faiths. His discussion summarizes the social issues that many struggle with on a very personal level. This is a must read for anyone seeking to understand the religious background, as well as current religious viewpoints, regarding the very personal and painful issues such as abortion and euthanasia. A good read for the general public in addition to health care professionals and religious leaders.Complicated bioethical issues made readable and undauntingLeavened with compassion, common sense, and a readable style, this introduction to complicated bioethical issues from both Jewish and Catholic perspectives is as informative as it is undaunting. Dr. Mackler takes the reader through methodology in Roman Catholic moral theology and compares and contrasts it with methodology as it is practiced in Jewish ethics. He then skillfully wends his way through many topics foremost on the contemporary ethical agenda for both Jewish and Catholic ethicists: euthanasia and assisted suicide, end-of-life decisions, abortion, in vitro fertilization, and the ever-growing problem of justice regarding access to health care and medical resources. A concluding chapter summarizes general tendencies in the comparison of the two traditions, and addresses the significance of convergence and divergence between these traditions for moral thinkers within each faith community, and generally in western democracies such as the United States.As Dr. Mackler overviews these issues, he points out the divergences and the commonalities between the two traditions-clarifying each position and outlining the structure of thinking that supports them. At the heart of both Catholic and Jewish perspectives on bioethics is a life-affirming core, and while there may be differences in the "why" of those ethical divergences, and in the "how" each arrived at varying-or the same-conclusions, both traditions, in the words of James McCartney as quoted in the introduction, "are guided by the principle that life is precious; that we are bidden to preserve and guard our health; that we are bidden to intervene in nature to raise the human estate; and that our lives are not our own, but are part of the legacy bequeathed to us by the Creator." This book has been carefully crafted in that spirit. |
