The Ethical Canary: Science, Society, and the Human Spirit

by Margaret Somerville

Demonstrates that society must set ethically acceptable limits on scientific advances. This book sheds light on the ethical and legal questions that vie for our attention. It helps the readers recognize the mysteries that lie at the heart of their lives and the metaphysical reality that gives meaning to life.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Science, Canada

368 pages, Paperback

First published April 26, 2004

Reviews

[Melodie Wendel-Cook]

It was good to read medical profession POV on still very relevant topics. It's a good medical ethics course book.

[Gavasker]

Ms Somerville's writing seemed profound when I read her when I was 17 years old, but now I see the faults in her reasoning. The book uses interesting examples that keeps it fresh; however, it was irritating how the author consistently reaches conclusions by gut/instinctual feelings rather than reasoned arguments. As I went through the book it was always mysterious how the conclusions were reached, since it appeared that the author reached the conclusion first and rationalized it afterward.

Overall, this book is a good if you are a conservative Roman Catholic and want some arguments to use to hold your own for a little longer against better reasoned arguments by better ethicists.

[Catherine]

This book was not nearly as interesting as it promised to be. I gave it up part-way through.