Many different issues fall under the heading “bioethics”: What is the proper doctor-patient relationship? Are (most/some) abortions morally permissible? Should euthanasia be legal? How is it appropriate to allocate scarce medical resources (e.g. PPE)? What sorts of constraints on individual choice should governments be permitted to impose? (Should they be permitted to forbid the sale of organs? surrogacy contracts? group gatherings in a pandemic?) Should people be permitted (and even encouraged) to use biomedical technologies to control their own characteristics, or those of their children? In attempting to answer these questions, we confront many others. We are forced, for example, to consider the nature and value of autonomy, the distinction between sickness and health, the obligation to refrain from harming others and to help those in need. Students taking this class will be encouraged to think through these issues (and many others) for themselves, while engaging with a wide range of philosophical opinions.

Course Requirements:

Writing assignments and exams will be available in Canvas.

Class Format:

The lecture & discussions will take place in person. Synchronous participation is expected. Students who will not be on the Ann Arbor campus in Fall term should contact the professor about any alternate arrangement.