R.S. Downie is Emeritus Professor of Moral Philosophy at Glasgow University and Professorial Research Fellow.  He has specialised in applying philosophical techniques to practical problems. In particular, he is interested in biomedical ethics and in the use of literature and the arts as vehicles for developing medical perceptions and attitudes.

• Introduction Part 1: Bioethics and the Humanities 1. Bioethics and the Medical Humanities Part 2: Medical Humanities: The Critical Function of Philosophy 2. Moral Philosophy and Bioethics 3. Logic and Epistemology 4. Political Philosophy and Bioethics 5. Medical Half Truths Part 3: Medical Humanities: The Supplementary Function of Literature and the Arts 6. Literature and the Ethical Perspective 7. Arts in Health 8. Teaching and Research Part 4: General Conclusions 9. A Humanistic Broadening of Bioethics

"This book has many strengths. It is iconoclastic, critical, clear and well written throughout...A valuable signpost on a journey that effectively has only just begun... graduate students and experienced healthcare workers in many disciplines and practices will find in it a valuable articulation of some of the main issues and challenges that present themselves... for some, it may be life- and practice-transforming. [Downie and Macnaughton] show themselves to be congenial, fascinating and demanding exemplars and guides for those who chose to put their feet on the medical humanities path." - Medical Humanities, vol. 33 no.2 (December 2007)"The book is well written, lively, and readable and serves to stimulate a desire in the reader to discuss, debate and further explore the issues raised. I would recommend it to anyone involved in the fields of bioethics and medical education, but most especially to doctors themselves (and aspiring ones) who will find much food for thought here no matter what stage in their career." - Joe Bouch, Association for Medical Humanities Newsletter, Spring 2008