Daniel Callahan

Thumb Daniel Callahan

Daniel Callahan (July 19, 1930 – July 16, 2019) was an American philosopher who made significant contributions to the field of bioethics. He was a co-founder of The Hastings Center, an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit bioethics research institute.

Early Life and Education

Daniel Callahan was born in Washington, D.C. He earned his bachelor's degree from Yale University in 1952, followed by a master's degree from Georgetown University in 1956. He later received his Ph.D. in philosophy from Harvard University in 1965.

Career

Callahan began his career as a writer and editor. He worked for the magazine Commonweal and later served as the executive editor of Psychiatry. In 1969, he co-founded The Hastings Center with Willard Gaylin, where he served as its president from 1969 to 1983 and then as its director of international programs.

Contributions to Bioethics

Callahan's work in bioethics focused on issues such as end-of-life care, health care policy, and the ethical implications of medical technology. He was a proponent of the idea that there should be limits to medical intervention, especially in the context of aging and terminal illness. His book Setting Limits: Medical Goals in an Aging Society (1987) sparked widespread debate and discussion.

Publications

Daniel Callahan authored or edited over 47 books and numerous articles. Some of his notable works include:

• Setting Limits: Medical Goals in an Aging Society (1987)
• What Price Better Health? Hazards of the Research Imperative (2003)
• Taming the Beloved Beast: How Medical Technology Costs Are Destroying Our Health Care System (2009)

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Callahan received numerous awards and honors, including the MacArthur Fellowship and the Lasker Award for Public Service. He was also a member of the Institute of Medicine.

Personal Life

Daniel Callahan was married to Sidney D. Callahan, a psychologist and author. They had six children together.

Legacy

Callahan's work has had a lasting impact on the field of bioethics, influencing both policy and public discourse. The Hastings Center continues to be a leading institution in bioethics research and education.

See Also

• Bioethics
• The Hastings Center
• End-of-life care
• Medical ethics