This course aims to offer a general overview and critical assessment of the main ethical issues in the field of contemporary technological research and processes. Therefore its program encompasses three main sections:
I) INTRODUCTION: presentation of the program and definitiopn of the terms, concepts, and issues covered in the course.
What is moral philosophy about?
Ethical issues in contemporary technology.
Does ethics concern technology?
Is technology morally neutral?
II) PHILOSOPHY, MORAL PHILOSOPHY, AND TECHNOLOGY
Contemporary philosophy, technology, and biotechnology: thye meaniong of human nature.
The "Baconian porject": knowledge and power.
Why technology needs philosophy?
Why technology needs ethics?
Ethics of responsibility.
III) MAIN ISSUES IN BIOETHICS
Bioethics: definition, history, main theories, the "principles of bioethics".
Informed Consent: definition, problems.
Privacy Rights: definition, problems.