PHIL 444-010: Medical Ethics

Timetable

Tue
Feb 3

Intro: General Introduction

Essential philosophical skills.

Thu
Feb 5

Intro: Ethics

Ethics: Theory and practice.

Tue
Feb 10

Intro: Arguments

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
Play around in the Logic and Critical Thinking section of the Resources page.
The Peanut Butter Argument.

Thu
Feb 12

The Survival Lottery

Harris’s modest proposal.
Harris, John (1975). “The Survival Lottery.” Philosophy 50(191): 81-87. (UD Library)

Tue
Feb 17
9:20 am

Abstract of ‘The Survival Lottery’ (previous class’s reading)

In-class group project.
Word limit: 150 words – strictly enforced
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.

Thu
Feb 19

A Duty to Die?

A Duty to Die?
John Hardwig, ‘Is There a Duty to Die?’ (UD Library)

Tue
Feb 24

The Limits of Autonomy (was Feb 26)

Ronald Dworkin on precedent autonomy.
Ronald Dworkin, ‘Life Past Reason.’ (Canvas@UD)
(Only to end of ‘Autonomy’ section – top of p.229)

Thu
Feb 26

Euthanasia 1 (was Mar 3)

Active & Passive Euthanasia
James Rachels (1975). “Active and Passive Euthanasia.” New England Journal of Medicine 292: 78-80. (Canvas@UD)
The AMA has updated its view since Rachels’ paper. Check out its current opinions on withholding or withdrawing treatment, assisted suicide, and (active) euthanasia. (On the web.)

Tue
Mar 3

Euthanasia 2 (was Mar 5)

The Additive Fallacy
Shelly Kagan, ‘The Additive Fallacy.’ Ethics 99(1): 5-31. (UD Library)

Thu
Mar 5
9:20 am

Bad Argument Assignment (was Feb 24)

In-class group project.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.

Fri
Mar 6, 4:15 pm
Roselle Center

Extra Credit: Debate – Is Biological Sex Binary?

To claim your extra credit, attend the event then post a comment, thought, or question about it in the corresponding Canvas discussion thread – Before the thread closes the day after the talk!
Free food afterwards.
Event details.

Tue
Mar 10

Abortion 1

The state of the abortion debate.
Dobbs v. Jackson (2022). (SCOTUS). No need to read the whole thing, just the syllabus is ok. (On the web.)

Weds
Mar 11
11:55 pm

Abstract of the Famous Violinist Argument from ‘A Defense of Abortion’ (tomorrow’s reading)

Read the whole paper, but abstract ONLY the Famous Violinist Argument (the core of which runs from p.48 to p.52.)
No late submissions accepted.
Individual submission required – though you are welcome to get each other’s feedback and editorial suggestions.
Word limit: 200 words – strictly enforced.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.

Thu
Mar 12

Abortion 2

The famous Famous Violinist.
Judith Jarvis Thomson (1971). ‘A Defense of Abortion.’ Philosophy & Public Affairs 1(1): 47-66. (UD Library.)

Fri
Mar 13, 4:15 pm
Gore 103

Extra Credit: Norton Lecture – Living with Artificial Agents

To claim your extra credit, attend the event then post a comment, thought, or question about it in the corresponding Canvas discussion thread – Before the thread closes the day after the talk!
Free food afterwards.
Event details.

Tue
Mar 17

Abortion 3

Futures like ours.
Don Marquis(1989). ‘Why Abortion is Immoral.’ The Journal of Philosophy 8(4): 183-202. (UD Library)

Thu
Mar 19

Selection For Disability

Everworse Sequences.
Mark Greene & Steve Augello, ‘Everworse: What’s wrong with selecting for disability?’ (Canvas@UD.)
What shall we discuss on Apr 3?

Tue
Mar 31

Paper Writing

The joys and perils of philosophical writing.

Thu
Apr 2

Student Choice: AI in Healthcare

‘Can AI Save Your Life?’ Freakonomics Radio. (On the web.)

Tue
Apr 7

US Healthcare

What’s Not to Like About Universal Healthcare?
Greene, Mark. “What’s Not to Like About Universal Healthcare?” (On the web.)

Thu
Apr 9

Medical Error

Perverse Incentives
Stephen Dubner. Freakonomics Radio. Bad Medicine, Part 3: Death By Diagnosis. (Read the transcript or listen to the episode on the web.)

Tue
Apr 14

Kidney Markets

Well, would you?
Walsh, Dylan (2023). “Would You Sell Your Extra Kidney?” Wired. (Canvas@UD.)
“The God Squad.” Playing God? (On the Web.)
“Why Can’t I Buy a Kidney?” Playing God? (On the Web.)

Thu
Apr 16

Enhancement – Genetic & Otherwise

No reading but you can post a thought to the Canvas discussion for participation credit.

Fri
Apr 17
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 21

Presentations

See Canvas@UD for schedule.

Thu
Apr 23

Presentations

See Canvas@UD for schedule.

Tue
Apr 28

Presentations

See Canvas@UD for schedule.

Thu
Apr 30

Presentations

See Canvas@UD for schedule.

Fri
May 1
11:55 pm

Abstract & Paper: First Version

Submit abstract and editorial in one document.
Word guidance – 3000 words (approx) – plus 150 for abstract.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.

Tue
May 5

Individual Discussion of Papers

No regular class!
Check Canvas@UD for your time.
Use the Office Hours Zoom room: See Canvas@UD.

Thu
May 7

Individual Discussion of Papers

No regular class!
Check Canvas@UD for your time.
Use the Office Hours Zoom room: See Canvas@UD.

Tue
May 12

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 14

Optional Discussion of Projects

Come along if you want a final chat before your final submission.
Use Office Hours Zoom room: See Canvas@UD.

Thu
May 14
11:55 pm

Abstract & Paper: Final version

Submit abstract and editorial in one document.
Word guidance – 3000 words (approx) – plus 150 for abstract.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.

Medical Ethics