This archive consists of lectures given by philosophers that explore the application of philosophy to important bioethics issues in today’s world. Lectures are updated periodically.
“Meaningfulness: A Third Dimension of the Good Life”
Lecture given by Susan Wolf, 2017, Youngstown State University
In this lecture, Susan Wolf critiques traditional accounts of the Good Life which emphasize only happiness and morality. In response, she lays out a “fulfillment view” which introduces meaning as a third requisite to the Good Life. Dr. Wolf’s account of meaning and fulfillment holds implications for how bioethicists conceive of wellbeing and our responsibilities surrounding wellbeing.
“Uniqueness, Intrinsic Value, and Reasons”
Lecture given by Gwen Bradford, 2016, DePauw University
In this lecture, Gwen Bradford explores the concept of uniqueness and its relation to intrinsic value. Her argument holds implications for how we ought to relate to bearers of value (e.g., historical artifacts, elements of nature, human beings) with regard to their uniqueness.
“Dying Alone: The Badness of Death”
Lecture given by Shelly Kagan, 2008, Yale University
In this lecture, Shelly Kagan explores several hypotheses which seek to explain what about dying (or being dead) is actually bad. In other words, what is the bad-making feature of death? Is it non-existence? Is it the deprivation of potential future experiences? Thinking well about these questions is critical when considering the permissibility of offering certain clinical interventions or providing aid in dying.
“Anger and Revolutionary Justice”
Lecture given by Martha Nussbaum, 2015, University of Chicago
In this lecture, Martha Nussbaum makes a series of claims about the nature of anger and its relation to retributivism and justice, arguing against the virtue or necessity of anger in enacting justice. Her argument has implications for how bioethical advocacy (be it clinical, environmental, etc.,) responds to injustice, both past and present.
“Who Decides? Medical Decision-Making and Individual Choice”
Lecture given remotely at the University of Chicago by Daniel Brudney and Lainie Ross, 2022
In this lecture, Daniel Brudney and Lainie Ross discuss hard problems in the world of applied ethics in healthcare. Daniel Brudney offers two primary examples to explore: (1) COVID vaccine status and its relevance for allocation of organs or other scarce medical resources and (2) physician-assisted suicide.
“For the Common Good: Philosophical Foundations of Research Ethics”
Lecture given virtually at Hong Kong University by Alex London, 2022
In this lecture, Alex London discusses ways of conducting ethical research involving human subjects and puts forward what he calls the Egalitarian Research Imperative which sees the role of biomedical research as “conducting research that closes knowledge gaps to enable health systems to secure basic interests of community members,” (timestamp 19:25) where the knowledge gaps represent uncertainties over how to safeguard health and make the best and most equitable use of scarce resources.