Book Club - In Pain: A Bioethicist's Personal Struggle with Opioids

The Ethics Center is hosting a book club on In Pain: A Bioethicist’s Personal Struggle with Opioids by Travis Rieder. In this memoir of pain and addiction, Rieder raises several ethical issues at the intersection of medicine and public health. One is the failure to uphold the obligation to “do no harm.” Another concerns autonomy: Rieder’s experience suggests that patients may be uninformed about the risks of dependence and withdrawal. Also, the same system that overprescribes opioids to some populations often stigmatizes or neglects those suffering from addiction, revealing a double standard in how society allocates compassion and medical resources. 

Led by Fritz Allhoff, Professor in the Department of Philosophy. In-person meetings will be at 6 p.m. March 16, March 23 and March 30 in 3120 Sangren Hall. Visitor parking in lots 68 and 69; no meter fees after 5 p.m. The first 10 sign-ups receive a free book.