Philosophy Faculty Publications
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
1999
Publication Source
Meaning and Medicine: A Reader in the Philosophy of Health Care
Abstract
Book abstract: A chief aim of this resource is to rekindle interest in seeing health care not solely as a set of practices so problematic as to require ethical analysis by philosophers and other scholars, but as a field whose scrutiny is richly rewarding for the traditional concerns of philosophy.
Chapter abstract: The health-related choices made by Christian Scientists are often criticized as being irrational. It is difficult for those who turn to medical means for healing to understand how Christian Scientists can rationally justify avoiding those medical treatments known to be effective. What is especially confusing to the observer of such chokes is that Christian Scientists are, for the most part, well-educated and otherwise rational individuals. In this paper, I analyze the nature of the choices made by Christian Scientists and argue that such choices are neither irrational nor the result of unethical church practices.
Margaret Battin has recently published a book on the ethical implications of certain religious practices which includes a critique of those religious organizations whose adherents appear to take health risks and to make health-related choices which non-adherents would not take or make. In a chapter devoted to the ethics of the practices found within “high-risk” religions, Battin argues that Christian Science institutional practices result in a Christian Scientist’s inability to make an autonomous and informed rational choice when faced with a life-threatening illness or injury. In this chapter, I respond to Battin’s criticism of Christian Science.
Inclusive pages
321-331
ISBN/ISSN
9780415919166
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 from Meaning and Medicine: A Reader in the Philosophy of Health Care, by James Lindemann Nelson and Hilde Lindemann Nelson. Reproduced by permission of Taylor and Francis Group, a division of Informa plc. This material is strictly for personal use. For any other use, the user must contact Taylor & Francis directly at this address: permissions.mailbox@taylorandfrancis.com. Printing, photocopying or sharing via any means is a violation of copyright.
Publisher
Routledge
Place of Publication
New York, NY
eCommons Citation
DesAutels, Peggy, "Christian Science, Rational Choice, and Alternative World Views" (1999). Philosophy Faculty Publications. 79.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/phl_fac_pub/79
Included in
Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, History of Philosophy Commons, Other Religion Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons
Comments
The chapter is made available for download with the permission of the publisher. Permission documentation is on file.
To read the entire volume, visit an academic library or see the publisher's website.