Ethics in Health and Medicine - Philosophy 336 / Nursing 336
Professor:
William Sweet
Office: 606 Nicholson Tower
Telephone: 867-2341
E-mail: wsweet@stfx.ca
Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 3:45 p.m.-5:00
p.m., and by arrangement
This course introduces students to
ethical theories and values, and to the critical examination of contemporary
issues arising in health care and medicine. Issues to be discussed may include:
the concept of health; the ethical responsibilities of professionals and professional
integrity; freedom, autonomy, and consent; death, dying, and euthanasia;
abortion; infanticide; research involving human subjects; the allocation
of scarce medical resources; confidentiality and privacy; reproductive technologies
and rights; medical and non-medical drug use.
Course Outline:
Introduction:
a. What is ethics?
b. Codes of ethics, values and
principles
c. Ethical decision making &
personal and professional commitments
d. Theory and practice
e. Summary; Ethical decision making
processes and protocols
1. Ethical
Theory
Characteristics of an ethical theory
5 theories about morality
a. egoism
b. subjectivism and emotivism
c. relativism
d. legalism
e. amoralism
7 ethical theories:
a. 'religious' ethics
b. deontology (Kant)
c. consequentialism (Mill)
d. theories of rights
e. virtue theory (Aristotle)
f. ethics of care (feminist theories)
g. Possibilities of convergence: natural
law (Maritain)
2. Ethical
Values and Professional
Values
Introduction:
6 ethical values & their foundations
a. beneficence and non-maleficence
b. autonomy
c. truthfulness and confidentiality
d. justice
e. dignity and respect
f. Possibilities of convergence: integrity
3. Cases
1. consent
2. reproduction / licensing
3. euthanasia and assisted suicide
4. abortion
5. medical resources
Texts:
There will be a primary textbook
- TBD
Some additional readings will be made available on line and/or in photocopied
form
Other Resources:
CMA Code of Ethics http://policybase.cma.ca/PolicyPDF/PD04-06.pdf
Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses http://www.cna-nurses.ca/CNA/documents/pdf/publications/Code_of_Ethics_2008_e.pdf
Some additional resources will be indicated as the course progresses
Method of Evaluation:
‘mid-term test’ - late-October – 10%
‘mid-year examination’ – December - 20 %
essay – 1st week of March – 20 %
final examination – April - 30 %
periodic short tests / quizes - 10 %
class discussion and class notes – 10 %