Philosophical Foundations of Bioethics

4.0 credits

This course addresses a range of philosophical and ethical questions arising in the context of human health. The first part of the course orients students to core methods in philosophical bioethics, including the practice of philosophical reasoning, and explores the differences between philosophical inquiry and other methods in the health humanities and bioethics. The second part of the course discusses the philosophical questions relevant to clinical practice. We will discuss questions such as: What is “health”? What is “disability”? What is the distinction between killing and letting die? The third part of the course introduces the foundational ethical principles of clinical bioethics—autonomy, beneficence and justice—and explores their philosophical underpinnings. It will discuss questions like: When ought we respect a patient’s refusal of life-saving treatment? What values and principles should guide us when we make decisions for others? The final part of the course addresses the ethics of healthcare organizations and systems, with a focus on theories of justice. We will discuss questions such as: What is it to be disabled? Do we have a right to health? Who should pay for our healthcare? Does the quality of a person’s life matter when allocating scarce resources? Through the sustained study of philosophical texts and methods, this course will examine fundamental philosophical concepts and ethical principles that guide the practice of clinical bioethics. Students will complete readings and writing assignments in order to prepare for classroom discussion that practice the development and critique of philosophical arguments in the context of bioethics.