*mandatory* Course reflections (20 Mar)

Please comment on these questions -- use separate posts if you like.   

• What have you learned in this course that surprised you?
• Would you take another course in philosophy if money/time weren't major barriers?  
• Do you have an understanding of the philosophical dimensions of the study of biomedical ethics?
• Have you developed an appreciation for the relevance of metaphysical, epistemological, and ethical questions in our daily lives?
• Have you improved in your skills of analysis and critique, as well as in written and oral communication due to this course?

Thinking Out Loud Final Exam (18 March)

An excerpt from your final exam to collectively consider here.  Respond to at least two of the points below:

• How do you define health? 
•   What does your ideal health care system look like? (Briefly sketch it out—what kinds of services should it provide?  Who is covered?  How is it paid for?).  You might consider what you saw in the Emperor of All Maladies -- the cost of treatment for cancer, and other high costs associated with medical care (we've seen some stories about it in our Current Events blog). 
•  Kai Nielsen writes:  “If there is the need for some particular regime of care and the society has the resources to meet that need, without undermining structures protecting other at least equally urgent needs, then, ceteris parabus, the society if it is a decent society, must do so” (p. 652).  Do you agree with Nielsen?  Does his argument apply to the U.S.?  Explain.  Can a just society refuse to provide health care to all of its citizens?  Is health care a right, and if so, what kind?  For whom is it a right (citizens, military, the elderly, children, all, none?).  

Case 42 (16 Mar)

Collectively consider the questions at the end of the case here.  Contributing to this prompt will help you think about health care reform, which will get you ready for one of your final exam questions.

Facing Death (16 Mar)

Thinking about death & dying is philosophical thinking:  who am I? what will happen to me after I die?  what gave my life meaning, etc.  It can also give us a way to think holistically about biomedical ethics.  What did you see in the video that relates to class?  Are we fully addressing the needs of dying patients?  Critique our health care system:  what could we be doing better with respect to the dying?

Case 10 on culture (16 Mar)

What would you do if Marie were your patient?  Let's try to get multiple viewpoints represented -- so some of you might have to play devil's advocate.

Case 13 Cochlear implant analysis (16 Mar)

Case 13 Cochlear implant analysis:  what arguments can you make for and against the implants?  Use Macklin's essay in your answer.

HC Elsewhere observations (16 March)

After you've posted your HC Elsewhere research, highlight unusual findings.  After most of us have posted, comment on the highlighted findings.  I'm especially interested in what you think about Cincinnati's data.

Genetics Videos (9 Mar)

You've watched various videos on genetics.  Do you feel optimistic or pessimistic about the personalization of medicine (at the genetic level)?  What are some pros? Cons?  Try to refer to at least two different videos in your response.