It discusses the doctor's role within society and his or her responsibility to the least well off. Part Two continues the argument for the exercise of reason and compassion in tandem. It contends that, while individuals might agree on an ethical course of action, their reasons for doing so might be quite different. It is necessary to specify the particular circumstances in great detail and in the widest terms, including the social, political, personal and moral issues involved, in order to reach suitable judgements. This is the beginning of clinical wisdom.
Science is rampant.
It looks at the advances that medical science in Australia has made, how knowledge of basic science has empowered us, and what we can learn about the health of populations through epidemiology. All three chapters note that the gains in life expectancy are not paralleled by gains in healthy life expectancy. Nevertheless, the message is that science can unravel the complex problems and, on occasions, ameliorate them. The topics are diverse and perhaps this is the weakness of the book. The editor says he did not allow authors to see each other's contributions.