PHIL 2054 - Biomedical Ethics and the Politics of Health

Can a liberal state legitimately promote a particular conception of health, or even ‘nudge’ its people to adopt a healthier lifestyle? Is it morally permissible to terminate a pregnancy, or one’s own life? Is there anything wrong about using biomedical means to enhance one’s physical or mental capacity? These issues are some of the most pressing issues in the context of healthcare. They reveal that many health-related issues are not only medical, but also ethical and political. In this course, we will explore topics such as healthism, medicalisation of everyday life, abortion, human enhancement, euthanasia, and the ethics of pandemics. Through engaging with some of the most influential responses to these issues, you will be able to develop your own views on these important issues.