The ethical dimensions of Judaism with an emphasis on comparative medical ethics

Although a large number of essays have been published on Jewish positions concerning issues in medical ethics, few of them provide the necessary halakhic analysis to properly ground their arguments. Nor has much comparative work between Jewish and secular ethics been done.

Through an analysis of the ethical content and decision-making process of Judaism, this thesis attempts to establish the following. First, the halakhic process remains as a dynamic and viable method of ethical analysis and decision making. Second, through an examination of secular and Jewish positions on truth-telling and refusal of treatment, I identify current areas of agreement and conflict. Finally, I argue that there is a need for new halakhic legislation in these areas which takes contemporary technological advancements and psychological research into account. Suggestions are made to show what directions new halakhic analyses might take without any loss of integrity to the halakhic system as a whole.