EPM5020

Comparative moral theory and ethics ( 6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Dr P Bilimoria & Dr G Petterson

Offered:
Clayton First semester 2005 (Day)

Synopsis: This unit will provide a comparative cultural background within which students are better able to contextualise bioethical debates and provide a basic understanding of ethical theory, as a foundation for studies in bioethics. Different models of ethical theory & reasoning discussed. Various cultural and religious traditions explored with particular emphasis on Asia Pacific region and Western thinking. Focus on meta-ethics issues and the three mian traditional perspectives in normative ethics and examines key problems for these approaches.

Objectives: On completion of this unit students should be able to: 1. understand the nature and role of ethics and values in society, particularly in a multicultural context; 2. appreciate the different theories on moral thinking and ethics that have historically developed in East and West (i.e. from a cross-cultural and global perspective); 3 demonstrate their skills to think through common moral dilemmas and familiar issues through a variety of competing ethical theories and frameworks, and ways of problematising moral positions on specific practices; 4. apply this thinking in a particular practical context of medical practice - e.g. the doctor-patient relationship, principalism, consent , autonomy, invasive processes, etc - in contexts where religions and ethnic-cultural background determine the patient's and community's moral repertoire; and 5. Debate and resolve challenging issues in bioethics in imagined and real-life situations in a morally and culturally diversified milieu (e.g. would either a suggested abortion or euthanasia be acceptable to a Muslim family, without giving offence to orthodox Islamic moral principles?) By the end of their studies students will have acquired the ability to assess critically and apply a range of moral frameworks and methodological approaches in dealing with issues in the discourses of medicine, health care and bioethics.

Assessment: Two written assignments + In-class presentation

Contact Hours: 2 contact hours per week