Journal of Clinical Research & Bioethics

Michael Loughlin

Michael Loughlin
Department of Applied Philosophy
Manchester Metropolitan University, UK

Biography

Michael Loughlin is a Reader in Applied Philosophy at Manchester Metropolitan University and a Visiting Professor of Applied Philosophy at the University of Buckinghamshire.  His PhD was on the relationship between epistemology and ethics and he has written extensively on the nature of rationality, knowledge, evidence, intuition and sound judgement in relation to practices in medicine and health care.  His 2002 book Ethics, Management and Mythology criticised the role of management theory in undermining professional autonomy and raised methodological questions about quality measures, bioethics and the use of evidence in health policy.  He has published on evidence-based medicine and in 2010 edited the first thematic issue of the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice on Philosophy as applied to medicine and health care.  He has recently edited the second philosophy thematic issue of the same journal on the theme of Virtue, Progress and Practice.  In his recent work on medical epistemology he has raised questions about the scope and limitations of scientific methodology in medical practice, defending a humanistic conception of rationality and science in practice.

Research Interest

Limitations of scientific methodology in medical practice, defending a humanistic conception of rationality and science in practice.