CSP 22 Meaning, Ethics, and Justice: Insights from Healthcare Writers

Contemporary writing in healthcare often touches on central ideas within philosophy. What is a meaningful life, or a life well-lived? What is a good death? How can a healthcare system be just, where this includes adequately serving the poorest and neediest in our society? What are our obligations to those who have desperate medical needs, but live in poverty abroad? Who should benefit from scientific research, and how can we ensure that research does not exploit those who are vulnerable? In this course, we use popular non-fiction writing on healthcare as a jumping off point, pairing these texts with sophisticated philosophical essays on related themes. Students will emerge with an understanding of a variety of core ethical and bioethical issues, as well as an appreciation of the real-world significance of these ideas.