Empirical research is research which involves collecting information about the world. Most science research is empirical. Much mathematical research, by contrast, is purely theoretical and does not involve going out into the real world and collecting data. Philosophy, including ethics research, has traditionally been purely theoretical, like mathematics. Although the philosopher might start with real world dilemmas drawn from the writings or experiences of people who face the dilemmas, the philosopher's own research can be carried out sitting in an armchair, or at least at a desk with a word processor.

 

Ethics, therefore, is traditionally a theory-based academic field, in which ethicists ponder the ethical dilemmas and develop theories to assist and advance thinking. However, a relatively new trend in medical research is ‘empirical ethics'. This is the close combination of ethical analyses and empirical studies. It involves ‘arm chair thinking' and getting out into the world to collect data. The arm chair thinking (ethical analyses) will determine what empirical studies are important; and the data (empirical research) provide information about the world that leads to further theoretical work. This cycle might continue many times.

 

 

How are we using empirical ethics research methods?

 

In this report, we describe some research studies which are examples of empirical ethics. The issue that we are interested in is this: whether, when, and why health professionals and parents should sometimes force people who have anorexia nervosa to have treatment against their will. This is a difficult issue for the following reasons:

•  Many people with anorexia nervosa appear to have a good understanding of the facts of the disorder and risks they face, but may still refuse treatment.

•  Some of the people with anorexia nervosa who refuse treatment appear to have a good understanding of their disorder and the serious consequences of their decision.

•  People with anorexia nervosa have the right to make treatment decisions (including refusing treatment) if they are able to do so.

•  Even though some people with anorexia nervosa with anorexia nervosa seem to understand the facts and the risks, their doctors and families may feel that the anorexia nervosa is affecting their decisions.

•  We do not know how much anorexia nervosa affects how people make decisions – there are a lot of differences of opinion about this.

 

We decided to explore how people experience anorexia nervosa, by talking in depth with people with anorexia nervosa and their parents. We wished to find out the ways the anorexia nervosa affects their lives, and discuss with them whether it might affect their treatment decisions in particular. The results of this research were then used to develop an ethical analysis of the subject, to suggest new ways of thinking about the subject.

For more information about the subject of empirical medical ethics, a newly published book has chapters about different types of empirical ethics research, including our own research:

 

Empirical Ethics in Psychiatry. Editors: Widdershoven, G., MacMillan, J., Hope, T. and Van Der Scheer. (2008) Oxford University Press, Oxford .