Carl Elliott (philosopher)

Carl Elliott is an American physician and philosopher known for his work in bioethics, particularly focusing on the ethics of enhancement, the medical humanities, and the influence of consumer culture on medicine and biotechnology. He is a professor in the Center for Bioethics at the University of Minnesota.

Elliott's work often explores the darker sides of contemporary medicine, examining the ethical implications of cosmetic surgery, the pharmaceutical industry, and the ways in which individual identity is shaped by medical interventions. He is critical of the over-medicalization of everyday life and the promotion of "perfectibility" through technological means.

His books include Better Than Well: American Medicine Meets the American Dream, The Last Patient, White Coat, Black Hat: Adventures on the Dark Side of Medicine, Running on Empty: An American Childhood, and Careless: A Story of Anxiety, Loss, and Life in the Era of Therapy. He has also contributed numerous articles to academic journals and popular publications. Elliott frequently employs narrative and personal essays to engage readers with complex ethical issues, making his work accessible to a broader audience beyond academic specialists. He often draws upon his own experiences and observations of contemporary culture to illustrate his arguments.