PHIL444: Medical Ethics

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	Mark Greene © 2005-2011

aims timetable assessment policies

Class texts
- 'Bioethics: An Anthology. 2nd Edition', Helga Kuhse & Peter Siger. Oxford: Blackwell, 2006.
- All readings are from this text, unless otherwise noted
All classes in Smith 219, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2pm to 3:15pm
Deadlines are highlighted - for details see assessment
Click for slideshows of the class presentations - click for printable versions

NB: Subject to change as class progresses - check back frequently.

Timetable of Classes
Aug 30	Irene: Assignment Run and hide!
Sep 1	Introduction: Essential philosophical skills Ethics and medical ethics
Sep 6	The Survival Lottery Reading 'The Survival Lottery', John Harris Ch 53, p.491 (also available via Sakai@UDin case you do not yet have the class text.) Think What is Harris's main point? What is his argumentative strategy for defending that point? Group Discussion State an objection to the survival lottery based on that Kantian imperative that one must always treat people as ends in themselves and never merely as means. How can Harris (or Y & Z) respond to the objection?
Sep 8	Healthcare rationing: Reading 'Why We Must Ration Health Care', Peter Singer on Sakai@UD Class Task Organize groups of five or six for Sep 13
Sep 13	Mark Away at a Conference Use class time to work with your group on a joint submission for Abstract 1
Sep 13 11:55pm	Deadline Abstract 1: The Survival Lottery Max 150 words. All group members should submit an identical document, listing all authors. All group members should complete an online peer evaluation at ???
Sep 15	Killing and Letting Die: Reading 'Active and Passive Euthanasia', James Rachels Ch.28, p.288 'Is Killing No Worse Than Letting Die?', Winston Nesbitt Ch.29, p.297
Sep 20	Discussion of Survival Lottery Abstract Read the instructions already! Is there a duty to die? 'Is there a duty to die?', John Hardwig on Sakai@UD
Sep 22	Abortion 1: Reading 'Abortion and Health Care Ethics', John Finnis Ch.1, p.17 'Abortion and Infanticide', Michael Tooley Ch.2, p.25 - The whole paper is useful, but only the 'Summary and Conclusions' section (starting p.36) is required.
Sep 26 11:55pm	Deadline Abstract 2: A Defense of Abortion Max 150 words. Read the whole paper. Write your abstract only on the argument based on the 'famous violinist' story. Not a group project. Everyone must submit their own abstract.
Sep 27	Abortion 2: Reading 'A Defense of Abortion', Judith Jarvis Thomson Ch.3, p.40
Sep 29	Abortion 3: Reading 'Why Abortion is Immoral', Don Marquis Ch.4, p.51 Group Discussion What might Don Marquis say to Judith Jarvis Thomson? How could she respond?
Oct 4	Drugs in sport: Discussion of Absract 2 Reading via Sakai@UD Savulescu et al (2004), 'Why we should allow performance enhancing drugs in sport', British Journal of Sports Medicine 38: 666-670 Group Discussion Brainstorm a few ways in which PEDs are unlike anything we currently accept as part of some sport Which seems the most promising difference on which to ground an objection to allowing PEDs? How might Savulescu respond?
Oct 6	Reflection Class Discussion What on earth are we doing here?
Oct 11	Human Experimentation: Equipoise Reading 'Equipoise and the Ethics of Clinical Research', Benjamin Freedman Ch.55, p.513
Oct 13	Selection for Disability: Reading Via Sakai@UD Mark Greene & Steve Augello, "Everworse: What’s wrong with selecting for disability?"
Oct 18	Writing your philosophy paper: Assignment Think about who you might work with for the Oct 26 Focused Exegesis Assignment
Oct 20	Target Selection Group Work Form groups of 2 or 3 to work on the same target argument for the Oct 26 Focused Exegesis Assignment See the assignment details for Oct 26 for guidance on where this is heading.
Oct 25	Target Refinement Group Work Continue to work on the Oct 26 assignment, both Focused Exegesis and Preliminary Abstract
Oct 26 11:55pm	Deadline: Submit focused exegesis of your target argument 1000 word max. Around 500 words is typical but this is quite variable depending of the complexity of the target argument. If you are going much over 500 words, consider refocusing. All group members should submit identical exegesis, listing all authors. All group members should complete an online peer evaluation at ??? Submit a preliminary abstract stating the point you plan to make in response to your target 150 word max. You may work indiviudally or in groups of 2 or 3 on your final paper. If you plan to collaborate on your final paper... All group members should submit an identical abstract, listing all authors.
Oct 27	Sex selection Reading 'Sex Selection: The Case For', Julian Savulescu Ch.14, p.145
Nov 1	Brain Injury and Identity: Reading Via Sakai@UD Mark Greene (in progress), “Saving a Life, Losing the Patient”
Nov 3	American healthcare: What's Not to Like About Universal Healthcare? Finish early to get to Tom Beauchamp talk. 3:15 to 4:15pm, Perkins Student Center, Ewing Room
Nov 7 11:55pm	Deadline: Submit first version of paper & updated abstract in one document. 2000 word max (150 for abstract). NB! Don't forget to follow paper submission requirement. If you are collaborating in a group All group members should submit an identical document, listing all authors. All group members should complete an online peer evaluation at ???
Nov 8	Presentations: Christian L Joe Dugan
Nov 10	Presentations: Ryan M & O'B Joe Rattenni
Nov 15	Presentations: Scott W, Kyle V Omneya A, Mia C, Veronica DiA Amanda T, Nicole T
Nov 17	Presentations: Matt Mason Ali L, Ken C, Alejandro M Gabrielle L
Nov 22	Presentations: Bari B, Kathryn H Morry Z, Caitlin H, Erica A Michael O'B
Nov 22 11:55pm	Deadline: Grade a paper
Nov 24	Thanksgiving - no class
Nov 29 & Dec 1	Mark away in UAE & Pakistan
Dec 6	Optional: indiviudal / group meetings for discussion of papers Location: Mark's office - 15 Kent Way No regular class. Office hours and class time reserved for discussion of your final paper revisions if you so desire. You are welcome to try dropping by but booking a time is highly recommended.
Dec 8 11:55pm	Deadline: Submit final paper & updated abstract in one document 3000 word max (150 for abstract). NB! Don't forget to follow paper submission requirements. If you are collaborating in a group All group members should submit an identical document, listing all authors. All group members should complete an online peer evaluation at ???