Play around in the Logic and Critical Thinking section of the Philosophy Resources page.
Thu Feb 15
Healthcare rights & universal healthcare
What’s not to like about universal healthcare?
Greene, Mark. “What’s Not to Like About Universal Healthcare?” (On the web.)
Tue Feb 20
Markets: Healthcare markets
Healthcare markets & market failures.
Do some web-research to find out what people mean by ‘free market’, ‘perfect competition’, ‘pareto efficient / optimal’, and ‘market failure’.
Thu Feb 22
Markets: Healthcare insurance
The hazards of insurance.
Do some web-research to find out what moral hazard is.
Tue Feb 27 10:55 am
Bad Argument Assignment
In-class group project.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Thu Feb 29
Markets: For markets for organs
Kidney Markets
Walsh, Dylan (2023). “Would You Sell Your Extra Kidney?” Wired. (Canvas@UD.)
“The God Squad.” Playing God? (On the Web.)
Tue Mar 5
Markets: Erm, about those organ markets…
Koplin on Organ Markets
“Why Can’t I Buy a Kidney?” Playing God? (On the Web.)
Koplin, Julian J. (2018). “Beyond Fair Benefits: Reconsidering Exploitation Arguments Against Organ Markets.” Health Care Analysis 26(1): 33-47. (UD Library.)
Individual submission required – though you are welcome to get each other’s feedback and editorial suggestions.
Word limit: 150 words – strictly enforced.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Thu Mar 7
Consequentialism: The QALY
Singer on Rationing.
‘Why We Must Ration Health Care’, Peter Singer, New York Times Magazine, July 15 2009. (On the web. Also, there’s an accessible pdf version on Canvas.)
And… Tim Harford (2020). ‘The Spreadsheet of Life and Death.’ Cautionary Tales Podcast. (On the web.)
Tue Mar 12
Consequentialism: Hold up a second on that QALY!
Brock vs. QALYs
Brock, Dan W. (2004). “Ethical Issues in the Use of Cost Effectiveness Analysis for the Prioritisation of Health Care Resources.” In Public Health, Ethics, and Equity. Anand, Sudhir, Peter, Fabienne and Sen, Amartya. Oxford, Oxford University Press: 201-223. (Canvas@UD.)
Thu Mar 14
Reform?
Perverse Incentives
Stephen Dubner. Freakonomics Radio. How Many Doctors Does It Take To Start a Healthcare Revolution? (Read the transcript or listen to the episode on the web.)
Stephen Dubner. Freakonomics Radio. Bad Medicine, Part 3: Death By Diagnosis. (Read the transcript or listen to the episode on the web.)
Read just the abstract of: James, John T (2013). “A New, Evidence-based Estimate of Patient Harms Associated with Hospital Care.” Journal of Patient Safety 9(3): 122-128. (On the web)
Tue Mar 19
Rawls: Rawls on justice
The Veil of Ignorance.
‘Original Position’ – Veil of Ignorance section: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
The Original Position. Wikipedia.
If you were behind the veil of ignorance, what principles would you agree to for allocating healthcare?
Thu Mar 21
Rawls: Justice in healthcare
Rawls / Daniels Healthcare Justice.
Daniels, Norman (2001). “Justice, Health, and Health Care.” American Journal of Bioethics 1(2): 2-16. (UD Library.)
Tue Apr 2 10:55 am
QALY explanation
In-class group project.
Word limit: 200 words – strictly enforced.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Thu Apr 4
Rawls: QALYs & the veil of ignorance
Carlos Doesn’t Like it Behind the Veil.
Soto, Carlos (2012). “The Veil of Ignorance and Health Resource Allocation.” Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 37(4): 387-404. (UD Library.)
What would you like to talk about for Apr 18?
Tue Apr 9
Paper writing
The joys and perils of philosophical writing.
Thu Apr 11
Personal responsibility
Personal and Social Responsibility for Health.
Wikler, Daniel (2004). “Personal and Social Responsibility for Health.” In Public Health, Ethics, and Equity. Anand, Sudhir, Peter, Fabienne and Sen, Amartya. Oxford, Oxford University Press: 109-134. (Canvas@UD.)
Tue Apr 16
Personal Responsibility & Organ Allocation
Need a New Liver? Playing God podcast episode. (On the web.)
Tue Apr 16 7 pm
Extra Credit Event Debating Death’s Badness: How Grim Is the Reaper?
Event Details
To claim your extra credit, attend the event and post a thought on the corresponding Canvas@UD discussion.
Thu Apr 18
Student Choice: Gene Editing
No reading. But feel free to post some thoughts on the issue in the Canvas discussion.
Fri Apr 19 11:55 pm
Proposal
Word guidance: approx. 300 words.
Optional: you may work in groups of up to 3 on any or all stages of your final project.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Tue Apr 23
Presentations
See Canvas@UD for schedule.
Thu Apr 25
Presentations
See Canvas@UD for schedule.
Fri Apr 26 – Sat Apr 27
Extra Credit Event Undergrad Philosophy Conference at UD
Event Details
To claim your extra credit, attend one or more of the talks (any topic) and post a thought on the corresponding Canvas@UD discussion.
Tue Apr 30
Presentations
See Canvas@UD for schedule.
Thu May 2
Presentations
See Canvas@UD for schedule.
Fri May 3 11:55 pm
Abstract & editorial: First version
Submit abstract and editorial in one document.
Word guidance – 1000 words (approx) – plus 150 for abstract.
Optional: you may work in groups of up to 3 for any or all stages of your final project.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Tue May 7
Mutual aid & comfort
This is the speed-dating version of your presentations. Come prepared (1) to give a focused overview of where you are in your / your group's project; and (A) to give thoughtful feedback on what others are working on. If you judge that it would be more productive to use the time to advance your project in some other way (e.g. if you are coauthoring and class is one of the few times you can all meet), feel free to do so. Just make sure you are not just procrastinating or dodging challenging feedback - it's best to get that early and often.
Thu May 9
Individual discussion of papers
No regular class!
Check Canvas@UD for your time.
Use the Office Hours Zoom room: See Canvas@UD.
Tue May 14
Individual discussion of papers
No regular class!
Check Canvas@UD for your time.
Use the Office Hours Zoom room: See Canvas@UD.
Thu May 16
Optional discussion of projects
Come along if you want to chat about your first version.
Use the Office Hours Zoom room: See Canvas@UD.
Thu May 16 11:55 pm
Abstract & editorial: Final version
Submit abstract and editorial in one document.
Word guidance – 1000 words (approx) – plus 150 for abstract.