PHIL 165.002 – Bioethics

Instructor: Giulia Napolitano. This course meets MWF 1:25 – 2:15 p.m. in AR 218.

In this course, we’ll focus on a range of ethical problems related to biomedical research and technological advancements, the practice of medicine and doctor-patient relation, and healthcare regulations and policy making. We will pay particular attention to issues of personal autonomy, consent, dignity, justice and equality in resource allocation, and the conflicts of individual and societal perspectives. We’ll discuss questions such as: Should vaccinations be mandatory? Is there a right to healthcare? Should younger people have priority in accessing life-saving treatment over older people in a pandemic? Is it ever permissible for doctors to lie to their patients? Do transgender adolescents have a right to puberty-blocking treatments, even in the absence of parental consent? We will learn how to identify the ethically relevant features of applied cases, and how to employ different ethical frameworks to tackle complex, applied ethical issues. We will engage with the authors of our readings critically, and we will learn how to construct sound and convincing ethical arguments and communicate them effectively.

Have registration questions? Our PPE Administrators can help! Please email them at ppeprogram@unc.edu for assistance.