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 12:30 pm
Abstract of ‘The Survival Lottery’
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
Euthanasia (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.)
Thu Feb 26 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 1 11:55 pm
Quiz 1
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.
Tue Mar 3 12:30 pm
Bad Argument Assignment (was Feb 24)
In class group project.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Thu Mar 5
Review of Quiz 1
How did you get on with that first quiz?
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.)
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.
Sun Mar 15 11:55 pm
Quiz 2
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.
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.)
Savulescu, J; Foddy, B; & Clayton, M (2004). ‘Why We Should Allow Performance Enhancing Drugs in Sport.’ (On the web.)
Sun Apr 5 11:55 pm
Quiz 3
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.
Tue Apr 7
US Healthcare
What’s Not to Like About Universal Healthcare?
Greene, Mark. “What’s Not to Like About Universal Healthcare?”
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
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 16
AI in Healthcare
‘Can AI Save Your Life?’ Freakonomics Radio. (On the web.)
Sun Apr 19 11:55 pm
Quiz 4
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.
Tue Apr 21
Cultural Competence, Healthcare, & Hispanic Communities in the US
Ethics of Cultural Competence.
Paasche-Orlow, Michael, (2004). ‘The Ethics of Cultural Competence.’ Academic Medicine 79:4, pp.347-350. (On Canvas@UD.)
Peterson-lyer, Karen. ‘Culturally Competent Care for Latino Patients.’ Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. (On the web.)
And familiarize yourself with: From Chronic to Critical – a case study.
What shall we pick for our May student choice topics?
Thu Apr 23
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 28
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 Apr 30
Research on Children
Research on Children.
Read Subpart D of The Revised Common Rule (45 CFR 46).
Tue May 5 12:30 pm
The Consent Form Assignment
In-class group project.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Tue May 5 11:55 pm
Quiz 5
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.
Thu May 7
Student Choice: Social Media
Kbaier et al (2024). ‘Prevalence of Health Misinformation on Social Media’. Journal of Medical Internet Research. (On the web. No need to read in depth)
Tue May 12
Student Choice: Brain Hacking
Nita Farahany on the Battle for Your Brain. Thought Economics. (On the web.)