THEO-151 Christian Ethics at the End of Life

Professor Steck

This is a course in medical ethics from a Christian perspective. The course will examine the ethical issues surrounding the death process, particularly the questions raised in the debate over physician-assisted suicide. While the course will include both philosophical and legal arguments, it will bring to bear Christian views and will focus primarily on the diverse opinions on the issues found within the Christian community. The first part of the course will offer an introduction to the methodology and general concerns of medical ethics from a Christian view. In the second part, we turn to reflect on the legal and theoretical issues that the end of life represents for ethical reflection. Finally, we proceed to the focal issue of physician-assisted suicide and the related ethical concerns surrounding it, such as the role of the physician, the withholding of treatment in severe cases, the place of autonomy, the possible ways of determining death, the meaning of suffering for the Christian, and the ethical relevance of quality of life issues. (Not offered 2004-05)

Other academic years
There is information about this course number in other academic years:

• 2005-2006 Fall and Spring
• 2009-2010 Fall and Spring
• 2010-2011 Fall and Spring
• 2012-2013 Fall and Spring
• 2013-2014 Fall and Spring

More information
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