MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

HUM207  1995 Fall – 1996 Summer II

Humanities: Biomedical Ethics

1.

Describe the epistemological foundations of science, humanities, religion, and philosophy. (I)

2.

Identify and describe major ethical theories. (II)

3.

Describe and use an ethical decision-making procedure. (III)

4.

Identify contemporary social and bioethical issues. (IV)

5.

Examine ethical issues using ethical theories as a basis for discussion. (IV, V)

6.

Identify areas of commonalty within conflicting viewpoints, and attempt to resolve the conflict. (V)

7.

Define, explain, and defend the basis of a personal ethical system. (VI)

MCCCD Official Course Outline:

HUM207  1995 Fall – 1996 Summer II

Humanities: Biomedical Ethics

I. Ways of Knowing: Introduction to Major Premises

A. Science

B. Humanities

C. Religion

D. Philosophy

II. Major Ethical Theories and Principles

A. Deontology versus teleology

B. Kant, utilitarianism, Ross, Rawls, and natural law

C. Nonmaleficence, beneficence, utility, and distributive justice

III. Ethical Decision Making

A. Procedures

B. Criteria

IV. Ethical Dilemma Examination

A. Contemporary biomedical issues

1. Abortion

2. Euthanasia

3. Genetics

4. Health care

5. Other

B. Ethical dilemma case studies

1. Dilemma resolution

2. Opposing solutions

V. Cross-Cultural Considerations

A. Comparisons

1. Cultural viewpoints

2. Historical viewpoints

3. Ethical dilemma solutions

B. Commonalty

1. Reaching agreement

2. Accepting disagreement

VI. Personal Ethics Investigation

A. Individual ethical systems

1. Based on ways of knowing

2. Based on major ethical theories and principles

B. Individual ethical system to solve ethical dilemmas