260019 Philosophy of Medicine (S) (SoSe 2026)

This seminar explores philosophical questions arising from the practice and concepts of modern medicine. Students will examine foundational issues such as the goals and competences of medicine, the notions of health, disease, and death, the status of medical evidence and the effectiveness of medical interventions, and the role of values in diagnosis, treatment, and healthcare policy. We will also address ethical and conceptual questions surrounding mental illness, disability, public health, alternative medicine, and emerging medical technologies. Through close reading of key texts and case studies, the seminar encourages critical reflection on how medical knowledge is produced, how medical categories shape our understanding of ourselves, and how social, cultural, and political factors influence what counts as legitimate medical practice.

Requirements for participation, required level

Abschluss des ersten Studienjahres (beide Grundkurse, Philosophischer Einstieg und Philosophisches Schreiben).