All of us will die one day. Moreover, in sharp contrast to past centuries, most of us will likely die in a medical context. This new condition raises a number of questions. How has the medical context re-framed the way we face death and what cultural shifts led to this change? What would it take for us or our loved ones to be prepared for death in a medical context? How should we think about the morality of physician aid in dying? How far does the expertise of the physician extend in the making of these decisions? And perhaps most broadly, should we see physicians as providers of goods and services, serving patient needs and wants, whatever those happen to be? As serving health and human flourishing? Or something else? This 5-week reading group will explore such questions in a spirit of fair and open inquiry.
No advance preparation or philosophy background required.
All undergraduates, graduate, and medical students welcome. Dinner and readings provided.
Meets Tuesdays, 5:30-6:45pm
9/1, 9/8, 9/15, 9/22, 9/29
email vs15@rice.edu for details
