MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS

Arts Graduate Handbook 1996

Published by Monash University
Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia

Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996

HBM5102

Questions of life and death

Justin Oakley

12 points + 2 hours per week + Second semester + Clayton + Prerequisite: HBM5101 or equivalent

Synopsis This subject examines a variety of ethical issues concerning the beginning and end of life, such as the morality of abortion, infanticide, and causing death. The subject also deals with the ethical problems raised by new reproductive research and technologies, such as IVF, embryo experimentation, genetic therapy and genetic engineering. There will be discussion of a range of philosophical problems which are 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 (4000 words): 50% + Take-home exam (4000 words): 50%

Prescribed texts

Kuhse H and Singer P Should the baby live? OUP, 1985
Kuhse H The sanctity-of-life doctrine in medicine: A critique OUP, 1987
Singer P and Wells D The reproduction revolution OUP, 1984

Recommended texts

Glover J Causing death and saving lives Penguin, 1977
Harris J The value of life RKP, 1989
Lauritzen P Pursuing parenthood: Ethical issues in assisted reproduction Indiana UP, 1993
Singer P Practical ethics 2nd edn, CUP, 1993

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