PHIL 165.001 – Bioethics

Instructor: Christopher Howard. This course meets TR 3:30 – 4:45 p.m. in GA 008.

Bioethics is a species of practical ethics that investigates the various ethical issues that emerge in the arenas of clinical medicine, biomedical research, and public health. This course explores a sampling of traditional and contemporary bioethical questions central to the field’s focus. We’ll begin with some ethical questions that arise in the context of a doctor-patient relationship—questions involving autonomy, consent, and trust. Next, we’ll cover some specific issues in bioethics: alcohol and drug addiction, disability, and transhumanism. Finally, we’ll consider some political and economic issues of bioethical relevance, with a particular focus on issues surrounding health care inequality, privatization, and prescription drug markets.