This course aims to offer a general overwiev and ctitical assessment of the main ethical issues in the field of contemporary technological research/processes and basic knowledge in bioethics. Therefore its program encompasses three main sections:
I) INTRODUCTION: Presentation of the program and definitions 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, technologyand biotechnology: the meaning of human nature.
The "Baconian project": knowledge and power.
Why tecnology needs philosophy?
Why technology needs ethics?
Ethics of responsibility.
III) MAIN ISSUES IN BIOETHICS.
Bioethics: definition, history, main theories, "principles of bioethics".
Informed consent: definition, problems.
Privacy rights: definitions, problems.