PHIL 337 Justice in Health Care (Not offered 2008-2009)
Justice is a notoriously complex and elusive philosophical concept, the conditions of which are even more difficult to articulate within real world institutions and contexts. In this course we'll explore justice as a fundamental moral principle and as a necessary feature of the US health care system. The first portion of the course will be devoted to considering general theories of justice as well as alternative conceptions of justice within the health care context. This will provide the background for subsequent examination of specific topics, which may include, among others: justice in health care financing and reform-which, in this presidential election year, will include analysis of candidates' proposals; justice in health care rationing, with particular attention to the relationship between rationing criteria and gender, "race," disability, and age; justice in the procurement and allocation of organs for transplantation; AIDS and personal responsibility for illness; and justice in medical research, including "double standards" for research conducted in less developed countries.
Format: seminar. Requirements: one long paper (approximately 15 pages), one oral presentation on assigned readings, one written summary of class discussion, and active participation.
No prerequisites, although previous coursework in philosophy is highly desirable. Enrollment limit: 25 (expected 25). Preference given to philosophy majors.
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