Philosophy of Medicine

3 Units

In this course, participants will learn the basic concepts, methods, and controversies in the contemporary philosophy of medicine. Topics include philosophical discussions of "health" and "illness," the body as a machine versus an "ecosystem," good reasoning in medicine, why bad reasoning happens and how doctors are trying to stop them, and ongoing structural challenges raised by medical terminology such as "futility" and "screening." Using these discussions as a foundation, the final four weeks of class will tackle specific controversies, including suffering, psychiatric illness, chronic illness, and death. Offered as BETH 325 and BETH 425 . Counts as a Human Diversity & Commonality course.