How to Be Wrong Bioethics, Humility, and Responsibility: A Conversation with Arthur Caplan
Feb 13, 2023
Dr. Arthur Caplan, a leading figure in medical ethics and professor at NYU, shares his insights on complex bioethical dilemmas. He recounts his personal battle with polio, which sparked his interest in ethics and patient autonomy. The discussion also delves into public trust in science during COVID-19 and the importance of clear communication. Caplan emphasizes the necessity of intellectual humility in academia and critiques modern challenges like misinformation, healthcare mandates, and the ethical implications of advancing technology.
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Polio Experience Shaped Ethics Interest
- Arthur Caplan's experience with polio as a child sparked his interest in medical ethics.
- He questioned why doctors withheld information and restricted visits during his hospital stay.
Context Matters in Patient Consent
- Caplan learned an ethical lesson when a blood transfusion patient refused in front of others but accepted privately.
- This taught him the importance of context and environment in patient communication.
Face Transplants Are Functional
- Initially Caplan opposed face transplants thinking they were cosmetic.
- After meeting candidates, he realized they were functionally necessary for basic survival.
