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) (Only to end of ‘Autonomy’ section – top of p.229)
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.)
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 Ethics & Genetics
Islamic Ethics & Genetics.
Saleem Noormohamed. ‘Genome Editing With CRISPR-Cas9: Islamic Law and Ethics Perspective. (On Canvas@UD.)
Paasche-Orlow, Michael, (2004). ‘The Ethics of Cultural Competence.’ Academic Medicine 79:4, pp.347-350. (On Canvas@UD.)
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 in Subpart A 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
The Consent Form Assignment
In-class group project.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Thu May 8
Student Choice: Privacy vs. Research
HIPAA Privacy Rule General Overview. (On the web.)
HIPAA Privacy Rule Summary. (On the web.) No need for a detailed read of the whole thing – get a sense for the sections from ‘What Information is Protected’ to ‘Limiting Uses and Disclosures to the Minimum Necessary’.
HHS Guidance on HIPAA and Research. (On the web.)
Tue May 13
Student Choice: Vaccine Mandates
WHO COVID Mandatory Vaccination: Ethical Considerations. (On the web.)