This course provides an introduction to the central themes in the philosophy of health sciences (e.g., medicine, nutrition science, public health). The aim is to discuss ontological, epistemological, and ethical questions that arise when research in these fields is conducted and applied to practical decision-making. For example, we shall discuss the concepts of health and disease, examine different methods (e.g., randomized-controlled trials, observational studies) of producing knowledge on health and analyze their epistemic strengths and weaknesses. We shall also discuss issues related to alternative medicine, medical and public health ethics, and nutrition policy. Other topics include phenomenology of illness and the questions of race and gender in the context of health sciences.
- Carel, H. (2011). Phenomenology and its application in medicine. Theoretical medicine and bioethics, 32(1), 33-46.
- Katikireddi, S. V., & Valles, S. A. (2015). Coupled ethical–epistemic analysis of public health research and practice: Categorizing variables to improve population health and equity. American journal of public health, 105(1), e36-e42.
- Loughlin et al (2010). Philosophy, ethics, medicine and health care: the urgent
need for critical practice. Journal of evaluation in clinical practice. 16: 249-259
- Cooper, R (2002). Disease. Studies in history and philosophy of biological and
biomedical sciences. 33(2): 263-282
- Solomon, M. (2011) Just a Paradigm: Evidence-Based Medicine Meets Philosophy of Science. European Journal of Philosophy of Science 1(3): 451–466.
Frequency | Weekday | Time | Format / Place | Period |
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Module | Course | Requirements | |
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26-GL_WP Grundlagen Wissenschaftsphilosophie | Seminar 1 | Study requirement
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Student information |
Seminar 2 | Study requirement
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Student information | |
- | Graded examination | Student information | |
26-HEPS-HM3 Hauptmodul 3: Methoden in der Wissenschaft | Methoden in der Wissenschaft I | Study requirement
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Student information |
Methoden in der Wissenschaft II | Graded examination
|
Student information | |
26-HM_TP1_WP Hauptmodul TP1: Wissenschaftsphilosophie | Seminar 1 | Study requirement
|
Student information |
Seminar 2 | Study requirement
|
Student information | |
- | Graded examination | Student information | |
26-HM_TP5_ET Hauptmodul TP5: Erkenntnistheorie | Seminar 1 | Study requirement
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Student information |
Seminar 2 | Study requirement
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Student information | |
- | Graded examination | Student information | |
26-VT_WP Vertiefung Wissenschaftsphilosophie | Seminar 1 | Study requirement
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Student information |
Seminar 2 | Study requirement
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Student information | |
- | Graded examination | Student information |
The binding module descriptions contain further information, including specifications on the "types of assignments" students need to complete. In cases where a module description mentions more than one kind of assignment, the respective member of the teaching staff will decide which task(s) they assign the students.