Bioethics after Auschwitz

Catalog description

The philosopher Theodor Adorno claimed that “after Auschwitz” the ethical imperative of humanity was to ensure that the Holocaust never happen again. This course examines how bioethics can contribute to that goal. We begin with a history of the Holocaust that focuses on the role of medicine, healthcare, and science in Nazi experimentation, euthanasia, and genocide. We then examine how these events motivated the emergence of bioethics and continue to shape the field. We conclude by examining how bioethicists might respond to mass violence today. Students will write regular postings and a research paper on a topic of their choosing.