you will be graded on how well (1) you identify your foundation and then (2) how well you exercise your foundational thinking.
There is no set cap or limit on the words per answer, but as a guideline and base requirement, you must write at least 350 words per answer—moreover, you are required to list the word count for each answer at the header for each short essay. Be sure that each answer follows a clear sub-heading in your paper that corresponds to the below questions, and please ensure that your answers are written out in the order below. In other words, make it clear and neatly formatted so that I can read easily (past exams have been marked down when students answer the questions out of order and did not identify which question was being answered, etc). You are welcome to use any outside resources you wish, but interacting with readings from the class is essential. Please footnote any citations you use, and of course give due credit for arguments you employ (or quote) that are not your own. Citations are NOT required, but they typically appear in essays that are thorough and thoughtful–interacting with other’s ideas tends to promote your own, and in this final, citations are encouraged beyond the course sources themselves as able. It’s up to you which citation format you’d like to use, but I recommend Chicago Manual of Style or MLA style
1.Recall the first Discussion Question # 1 assignment in Carmen that included this question: in your opinion, what is the most important aspect of acting or living “ethically” in our 21st century world?Reflecting back on that question now—compose a self-reflective answer to the question again, but this time in light of the readings, discussions, peer-feedback, podcasts, films offered this semester. Has your answer changed? If so how? In what way/s are you thinking differently now on bioethics than you were previously?
2.In your personal (bio)ethical thinking, is there any singular moral theory(or religious or theoretical system of thinking) that is particularly influential, one that provides a foundation for your moral thinking and life? Describe and define this theory/way of life, and explain why is this theory/way of life most meaningful and persuasive to you (with examples/illustrations as best able)?
3.Key to Engelhardt’s challenge or critique of principlism in bioethics is his assertion that there is no one, agreed-upon “bioethic” but rather pluralistic and rival “bioethics” (in the plural). What does this mean? In other words, summarize the key aspects of Engelhardt’s challenge to mainstream bioethics. Do you agree or disagree with Englehardt’s critique of principlism and “common morality” in bioethics?
4.The Hippocratic Oath is frequently appealed to in medicine and bioethics, yet many are not aware of the below lines that directly address physician assisted suicide and abortion. Before answering this question, read the Hippocratic Oath (see Appendix below) and then compare/ contrast the type of ethical thinking revealed in the Hippocratic Oath and in your textbook chapters on PAS and abortion. In other words: how are opinions formed, or what are the major appeals (the foundational thinking) evidenced in this ancient ethic and in modern ethics?
I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody who asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect. Similarly I will not give to a woman an abortive remedy. In purity and holiness I will guard my life and my art.
5.Is it important that Henrietta Lacks’ HeLa Cells belong to her/her family in perpetuity? Why or why not? In other words, what is the fundamental issue at stake in the Henrietta Lacks case?
6.Describe the cultural backgrounds (including religious and philosophical influences as appropriate) that undergird the different practices of truth telling between physicians and patients in the US and Hong Kong.
I7.n light of your answer to questions # 1 & 2 above: do you believe surrogate mothering is exploitation, empowerment, or other? Why or why not? What (if any) are some instances or examples of when surrogate mothering would be exploiting, empowering, or other?
