Kansas State University
Meeting Times:
11:30-12:45 Tuesday and Thursday, Waters 328
Instructor Details:
Jack Himelright
jhimelri [at] ksu [dot] edu
Office Hours and Location: 1-3 Wednesday by Zoom, and by appointment.
Course Description:
This course is an introduction to medical ethics. Medical ethics is the branch of philosophy that concerns morality -- right and wrong, good and bad, etc. -- in the context of medical practice and research. Our investigations will be divided into four major components:
The first component is a brief overview of ethics. We will discuss the objectivity of morality and introduce the three major traditions in ethics.
The second component concerns medical controversies related to life and death. We will discuss the distinction between killing and letting die, abortion, euthanasia, and advance directives from a philosophical lens.
The third component concerns patient rights and autonomy. We will look at philosophical perspectives on patient confidentiality, informed consent, organ donation, and experimentation with human subjects.
The fourth component concerns genetic manipulation. As the technology allowing us to modify our genetic code advances, moral questions regarding genetic engineering will take on increasing importance. We will prepare ourselves to face the moral quandaries posed by this new frontier.
Goals:
My goals for this course are as follows:
(1) I want you to have reflected on moral issues in the medical field. Many of you are likely to confront these moral issues, either as a medical professional or as a patient receiving medical care. This is an opportunity for you to think them through from a philosophical point of view. That way, you'll be prepared to face them.
(2) I want you to develop your ability to critically evaluate lines of reasoning. This skill is useful in philosophy, but it is useful in life generally, from deciding what to make of op-eds to deciding what specialty to seek a residency in after medical school. A little bit of critical reasoning goes a long way.
Texts:
All readings will be posted on Canvas. I reserve the right to change the reading list. Any changes will be made in advance and put on the syllabus.
Assignments and Grading:
Course Assignments and Grade Percentages
Quizzes – 10%
First Paper – 25%
Midterm Exam -- 20%
Second Paper – 25%
Final Exam – 20%
Note: Attendance is not required, but it will be more difficult to succeed if you don't come to class.
Assignment Details
Quizzes
Quizzes will be weekly, open book, and on Canvas. They will be available from Friday morning to Sunday night. They will also be based on the reading materials and lectures from the past week. Each will have 10 questions.
The lowest 2 quiz grades of the semester will be dropped.
Exams
The midterm and final exams will be multiple-choice, in-person and closed book.
Papers
Your papers will be 3-4 pages long (double-spaced) and will be position papers. You’ll be asked to pick from among different positions presented in the course, explain the arguments that have been given on their behalf, and state and respond to objections. The details will be specified in the prompt for the paper.
Papers will be graded according to a rubric. I will let you know how you scored in the different areas according to the rubric. I will not provided detailed comments unless requested.
Grade Scale
The following is the grade scale for your assignments. Your total grade will be calculated from the above percentages, and then assigned on the basis of this grade scale as well.
A: 90-100 points
B: 80-89 points
C: 70-79 points
D: 60-69 points
F: <60 points
Late Policy
Late quizzes will not be accepted. Make-up exams will only be allowed with official university-excused absences.
Late papers will be accepted, but with a -5 point penalty for each day it is late. The only exception is if an extension was granted before the due date. A -5 point penalty will be applied for each day the assignment is late after the extension.
Schedule:
1/17: Introduction
Ethics Overview
1/19: Harry Gensler, “Cultural Relativism”
1/24: John Stuart Mill, Selections from Utilitarianism
1/26: Immanuel Kant, Selections from Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals
1/31: Aristotle, Selections from Nicomachean Ethics
Killing vs. Letting Die
2/2: Judith Jarvis Thomson, “Killing, Letting Die, and the Trolley Problem”
Obtaining Organs
2/7: Arthur Matas, “The Case for Living Kidney Sales”
2/9: Arthur Caplan, "Transplantation at any Price?"
2/14: John Harris, “The Survival Lottery”
Abortion
2/16: NO CLASS due to weather
2/19: First Paper Due
2/21: Judith Jarvis Thomson, “A Defense of Abortion”
2/23: [Interlude on Euthanasia] NO CLASS -- listen to Peter Singer & Charles Camosy, "Debate on the Ethics of Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide"
(link in Assignments)
2/28: Don Marquis, “An Argument that Abortion is Wrong”
3/2: Mary Anne Warren, "On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion"
Informed Consent and Patient Autonomy
3/7: Tom L. Beauchamp, “Informed Consent: Its History, Meaning, and Present Challenges”
3/9: Tim Bayne and Neil Levy, “Amputees by Choice”
3/12 - 3/19: Spring Break
3/21: Julian Savulescu, “Rational Desires and the Limitation of Life-Sustaining Treatment”
3/23: Midterm Exam
Euthanasia
3/28: James Rachels, “Active and Passive Euthanasia”
3/30: Daniel Callahan, “When Self-Determination Runs Amok”
4/4: John Lachs, “When Abstract Moralizing Runs Amok”
Genetic Engineering
4/6: Allen Buchanan et. al., From Chance to Choice (FCC), Chapter 3, pp. 61-84
4/11: Allen Buchanan et. al., FCC, Chapter 5, pp. 156-179
Confidentiality
4/13: Mark Siegler, “Confidentiality in Medicine: A Decrepit Concept”; Second Paper Due
4/18: Christian Safken and Andreas Frewer, “The Duty to Warn and Clinical Ethics: Legal and Ethical Aspects of Confidentiality and HIV/AIDS”
4/20: NO CLASS
Advance Directives
4/25: Ronald Dworkin, “Life Past Reason”
4/27: Rebecca Dresser, “Dworkin on Dementia: Elegant Theory, Questionable Policy”
5/2-5/4: No class; dead week
Final Exam: 5/12, 9:40 am -- 11:30 am
Statement Regarding Academic Honesty
Kansas State University has an Honor & Integrity System based on personal integrity which is presumed to be sufficient assurance in academic matters one's work is performed honestly and without unauthorized assistance. Undergraduate and graduate students, by registration, acknowledge the jurisdiction of the Honor & Integrity System. The policies and procedures of the Honor System apply to all full and part-time students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate courses on-campus, off-campus, and via distance learning.
A component vital to the Honor & Integrity System is the inclusion of the Honor Pledge which applies to all assignments, examinations, or other course work undertaken by students. The Honor Pledge is implied, whether or not it is stated: "On my honor, as a student, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this academic work."
The default in this class is that ALL work will be accomplished individually, UNLESS my permission is given in advance of an assignment/quiz/exam/take-home exam/final. If you are in doubt, please ask.
A grade of XF can result from a breach of academic honesty. The F indicates failure in the course; the X indicates the reason is an Honor Pledge violation.
For more information, visit the Honor & Integrity System home web page at: http://www.k-state.edu/honor/
Statement Regarding Students with Disabilities
At K-State it is important that every student has access to course content and the means to demonstrate course mastery. Students with disabilities may benefit from services including accommodations provided by the Student Access Center. Disabilities can include physical, learning, executive functions, and mental health. You may register at the Student Access Center (k-state.edu/accesscenter) or to learn more contact:
Manhattan/Olathe/Global Campus – Student Access Center
accesscenter@k-state.edu
785-532-6441
K-State Salina Campus – Julie Rowe; Student Success Coordinator
jarowe@k-state.edu
785-820-7908
Students already registered with the Student Access Center please request your Letters of Accommodation early in the semester to provide adequate time to arrange your approved academic accommodations. Once SAC approves your Letter of Accommodation it will be e-mailed to you, and your instructor(s) for this course. Please follow up with your instructor to discuss how best to implement the approved accommodations.
Statement Defining Expectations for Classroom Conduct
All student activities in the University, including this course, are governed by the Student Judicial Conduct Code as outlined in the Student Governing Association By Laws, Article V, Section 3, number 2. Students who engage in behavior that disrupts the learning environment may be asked to leave the class.
Statement on Mutual Respect and Inclusion in K-State Teaching and Learning Spaces
At K-State, faculty and staff are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and supportive learning environment for students from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. K-State courses, labs, and other virtual and physical learning spaces promote equitable opportunity to learn, participate, contribute, and succeed, regardless of age, race, color, ethnicity, nationality, genetic information, ancestry, disability, socioeconomic status, military or veteran status, immigration status, Indigenous identity, gender identity, gender expression, sexuality, religion, culture, as well as other social identities.
Faculty and staff are committed to promoting equity and believe the success of an inclusive learning environment relies on the participation, support, and understanding of all students. Students are encouraged to share their views and lived experiences as they relate to the course or their course experience, while recognizing they are doing so in a learning environment in which all are expected to engage with respect to honor the rights, safety, and dignity of others in keeping with the K-State Principles of Community https://www.k-state.edu/about/values/community/.
If you feel uncomfortable because of comments or behavior encountered in this class, you may bring it to the attention of your instructor, advisors, and/or mentors. If you have questions about how to proceed with a confidential process to resolve concerns, please contact the Student Ombudsperson Office. Violations of the student code of conduct can be reported here https://www.k-state.edu/sga/judicial/student-code-of-conduct.html. If you experience bias or discrimination, it can be reported here https://www.k-state.edu/report/discrimination/.
Statement Regarding Wearing of Face Masks
Kansas State University strongly encourages, but does not require, that everyone wear masks while indoors on university property, including while attending in-person classes. For additional information and the latest on K-State’s face covering policy, see https://www.k-state.edu/covid-19/guidance/health/face-covering.html.
Statement Regarding Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Harassment
Kansas State University is committed to maintaining academic, housing, and work environments that are free of discrimination, harassment, and sexual harassment. Instructors support the University’s commitment by creating a safe learning environment during this course, free of conduct that would interfere with your academic opportunities. Instructors also have a duty to report any behavior they become aware of that potentially violates the University’s policy prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and sexual harassment (PPM 3010).
If a student is subjected to discrimination, harassment, or sexual harassment, they are encouraged to make a non-confidential report to the University’s Office for Institutional Equity (OIE) using the online reporting form. Incident disclosure is not required to receive resources at K-State. Reports that include domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, should be considered for reporting by the complainant to the Kansas State University Police Department or the Riley County Police Department. Reports made to law enforcement are separate from reports made to OIE. A complainant can choose to report to one or both entities. Confidential support and advocacy can be found with the K-State Center for Advocacy, Response, and Education (CARE). Confidential mental health services can be found with Lafene Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Academic support can be found with the Office of Student Life (OSL). OSL is a non-confidential resource. A comprehensive list of resources is available here. If you have questions about non-confidential and confidential resources, please contact OIE at equity@ksu.edu or (785) 532–6220.