Fundamental Questions in Bioethics

elective monographs
general courses

The main goal of the course is to introduce students to the field of bioethics: what is bioethics? How did bioethics begin? What issues are covered by bioethics? What are the methods of bioethics?

Classes conducted by a select group of researchers working in bioethics and related fields are aimed at providing students with the opportunity to become familiar with the basic issues, problems and conflicts arising in various spheres of this interdisciplinary field, such as: clinical ethics, research ethics, procreation ethics, end of life ethics, ethics of (new) technology, animal ethics, sociology and anthropology of medicine and medical law. Students will also gain theoretical knowledge and basic conceptual tools necessary to understand these questions, problems and conflicts as well as related positions, arguments and moral judgments.

P. Łuków, T. Pasierski, Etyka medyczna z elementami filozofii, Wydawnictwo Lekarskie PZWL, Warszawa 2014

J. Różyńska, W. Chańska (red.), Bioetyka, Wolters Kluwer, Warszawa 2013

H. Kuhse, P. Singer, (eds.) A companion to bioethics, Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell 2009

Additional bibliographical positions may be assigned as optional readings by specific lecturers.

Knowledge:

Student:

- knows and understands the genesis, history and interdisciplinary nature of bioethics

- understands the role of bioethics in the practice and development of biomedical sciences and other biosciences

- knows the basic bioethical terminology (in the scope of the fields concerned) in Polish

- knows selected basic contemporary problems as well as theoretical and research perspectives of selected branches of bioethics

(including clinical ethics, research ethics, procreation ethics, end-of-life ethics, new technology ethics, and animal ethics);

- understands the role of ethical and bioethical reflection for the development of science and technology, the development of democratic

and pluralistic societies and for the formation of social bonds based on respect for dignity and fundamental human rights

Skills:

Student:

- is able to identify, interpret and analyze basic arguments regarding ethical problems and conflicts occurring in the selected branches of

bioethics

- can correctly apply the learned bioethical terminology

- can detect relationships between the formation of bioethical ideas and social and cultural processes

Social competences:

Student:

- appreciates the value of discussion, in particular in an interdisciplinary environment

- appreciates the importance of bioethical reflection for the development of European civilization

Written multiple choice test

Acceptable number of missed classes without formal explanation: 2