PHIL 444-011: Medical Ethics

Timetable

Tue
Feb 4

Intro: General Introduction

Essential philosophical skills.

Thu
Feb 6

Intro: Ethics

Ethics: Theory and practice.

Tue
Feb 11

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 13

The Survival Lottery

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

Tue
Feb 18
12:30 pm

Abstract of ‘The Survival Lottery’

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

Thu
Feb 20

A Duty to Die?

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

Tue
Feb 25
12:30 pm

Bad Argument Assignment

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

Thu
Feb 27
12:15 pm

The Limits of Autonomy

Ronald Dworkin on precedent autonomy.
Ronald Dworkin, ‘Life Past Reason.’ (Canvas@UD)

Sun
Mar 2
11:55 pm

Quiz 1

Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.

Tue
Mar 4

Euthanasia

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.)

Thu
Mar 6

Review of Quiz 1

How did you get on with that first quiz?

Fri
Mar 7
11:00 am to noon

Extra Credit Event: Ethical Issues of Organ Replacement

Online Ethics Center Webinar
To claim extra credit, participate in the event and then post about it in the corresponding Canvas discussion before it closes.
Event details and free registration on OEC website.

Tue
Mar 11

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.)

Thu
Mar 13

Abortion 2

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

Sun
Mar 16
11:55 pm

Quiz 2

Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.

Tue
Mar 18

Abortion 3

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

Thu
Mar 20

Selection For Disability

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

Tue
Apr 1
12:30 pm

Abstract of ‘Why We Should Allow Performance Enhancing Drugs in Sport‘ (Thursday’s reading)

No late submission accepted.
In-class group project.
Word limit: 150 words – strictly enforced.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.

Thu
Apr 3

Performance Enhancing Drugs in Sports

Performance Enhancement.
Savulescu, J; Foddy, B; & Clayton, M (2004). ‘Why We Should Allow Performance Enhancing Drugs in Sport.’ (On the web.)

Sun
Apr 6
11:55 pm

Quiz 3

Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.

Tue
Apr 8

US Healthcare

What’s Not to Like About Universal Healthcare?
Greene, Mark. “What’s Not to Like About Universal Healthcare?”

Thu
Apr 10

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.)
What shall we pick for our May student choice topics?

Tue
Apr 15

Yay! Kidney Markets

Kidney Markets.
Walsh, Dylan (2023). “Would You Sell Your Extra Kidney?” Wired. (Canvas@UD.)
“The God Squad.” Playing God? (On the Web.)

Thu
Apr 17

AI in Biomedical Research

Have a chat with ChatGPT or similar about the pros and cons of AI in biomedical research.

Fri
April 18
4pm

Extra Credit Event: Transformative Changes of Self

Spring David Norton Memorial Lecture
To claim extra credit, participate in the event and then post about it in the corresponding Canvas discussion before it closes.
Free food!
Click here for event details.

Sun
Apr 20
11:55 pm

Quiz 4

Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.

Tue
Apr 22

Islamic Medical Ethics

TBA.
TBA.

Thu
Apr 24

Research Ethics

Responsible Conduct of Research
Have a look at UD policy on research integrity.
Read the Biomedical Engineering Society Code of Ethics. (Linked from their website’s ‘Governance’ page.)
Freakonomics. ‘Why Is There So Much Fraud in Academia?’ (On the web.)

Tue
Apr 29

Research on Human Subjects 1

Human Subject Research
The Belmont Report
The Revised Common Rule (45 CFR 46) – no need to read the whole thing, just browse around and get a feel for how it works.

Thu
May 1

Research on Children

Research on Children.
Read Subpart D of The Revised Common Rule (45 CFR 46).

Sun
May 4
11:55 pm

Quiz 5

Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.

Tue
May 6
12:30 pm

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

Thu
May 8

Student Choice: TBA

No reading, but feel free to post a thought on the Canvas discussion ahead of class.

Tue
May 13

Student Choice: TBA

No reading, but feel free to post a thought on the Canvas discussion ahead of class.

Thu
May 15

Optional Review

Drop in if you want to chat about Q6.

Thu
May 15
11:55 pm

Quiz 6

Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.

Medical Ethics