CHB4102

Questions of life and death

(ART)

Justin Oakley (on-campus); John McKie (distance education)

12 points + 2 hours per week + Second semester + Clayton + OCDL (either semester) + Prerequisite: CHB4101 or equivalent

Synopsis: This unit examines a variety of ethical issues concerning the beginning and end of life, such as the morality of abortion, infanticide, and causing death. The unit also deals with the ethical problems raised by new reproductive research and biomedical technologies, such as embryo experimentation, cloning, genetic counselling, genetic therapy and genetic engineering. There will be discussion of a range of philosophical problems central to these issues, including the sanctity of life doctrine, notions of potentiality, the nature of personhood, the acts/omissions distinction, and the definition of death.

Assessment: Essay (5000 words): 50% + Take-home exam (4000 words): 50% + Distance education students are also required to keep a journal, recording their work for each topic.