Subjects

The course is open to both international and Czech students; passive knowledge of English is required. The 
course aims to develop practical and theoretical competencies in bioethics, focusing on up-to-date issues in 
clinical practice and medical research. The subject builds on the knowledge gained in the mandatory medical 
ethics courses (third-year GM). Each session will consist of two parts: a lecture introducing the topic and a 
discussion of a key text relevant to the subject, read by students in advance. Students will develop their academic skills (close reading, 
discussion, argumentative skills, etc.) and gain a broad understanding of bioethical aspects of their future clinical 
and academic practice.

Last update: Linka Vojtěch, Mgr., Ph.D. (14.01.2026)

A written assignment (1000-2000 words) based on the lectures and key texts discussed during the seminar.

Last update: Linka Vojtěch, Mgr., Ph.D. (14.01.2026)

A written assignment (1000-2000 words) based on the lectures and key texts discussed during the seminar.

Last update: Linka Vojtěch, Mgr., Ph.D. (14.01.2026)

Required reading is listed in the syllabus. All texts are available in Moodle.

Last update: Linka Vojtěch, Mgr., Ph.D. (14.01.2026)

Required reading is listed in the syllabus. All texts are available in Moodle.

Last update: Linka Vojtěch, Mgr., Ph.D. (14.01.2026)

17.2. No lecture

24.2. Introduction: The course overview, information on evaluation, etc. Introductory lecture: Bioethics as a Clinical Skill

3.3. Primum Non Nocere: Historical roots of bioethics

Primary text: Hippocratic Oath, Percival's Code of Ethics

10.3. From Medical Ethics to Bioethics: 20th-century shifts and ruptures in medical theorizing

Primary text: Albert, R. Johnsen, The Birth of Bioethics (pp. 3-33)

17.3. Biomedical Toolkit: Concepts and theories of ethical reasoning

Primary text: Tom Beauchamps and James Childress, The Principles of Biomedical Ethics (Method and Moral Justification, pp. 390-430)

24.3. Biomedical Skills: Values, virtues and the guts

Primary text: Pellegrino & Thomasma — A Philosophical Basis of Medical Practice: Toward a Philosophy and Ethic of the Healing Professions (A Philosophical Reconstruction of Medical Morality, pp.192-220)

31.3. Patients First: Bioethics in primary care

Primary text: Francis Peabody, The Care for the Patient

7.4. No lecture

14.4. Society First: Bioethics and politics

Primary text: Peter Singer, Famine, Affluence and Morality

21.4. Who Is a Baby Here? Abortion and infanticide

Primary text: Judith Jarvis Thomson, A Defense of Abortion (in Kuhse et al.,Bioethics: An Anthology, pp.38-48)

28.4. We Shall All Die: Bioethics and Physician-Assisted Dying

Primary texts: James Rachels, Active and Passive Euthanasia, Winston Nesbbit, Is Killing No Worse Than Letting Die? (in Kuhse et al.,Bioethics: An Anthology, pp. 248-256)

5.6. The Nature Needs Help: Assisted Reproduction

Primary text: Derek Parfit, Rights, Interests, and Possible People (in Kuhse et al.,Bioethics: An Anthology, pp.86-90)

12.6. Better, faster, healthier: Enhancement and Transhumanism

Primary text: Melinda Hall, The bioethics of enhancement: transhumanism, disability, and biopolitics (chapter 3 Rethinking Enhancement)

Last update: Linka Vojtěch, Mgr., Ph.D. (29.01.2026)

17.2. No lecture

24.2. Introduction: The course overview, information on evaluation, etc. Introductory lecture: Bioethics as a Clinical Skill

3.3. Primum Non Nocere: Historical roots of bioethics

Primary text: Hippocratic Oath, Percival's Code of Ethics

10.3. From Medical Ethics to Bioethics: 20th-century shifts and ruptures in medical theorizing

Primary text: Albert, R. Johnsen, The Birth of Bioethics (pp. 3-33)

17.3. Biomedical Toolkit: Concepts and theories of ethical reasoning

Primary text: Tom Beauchamps and James Childress, The Principles of Biomedical Ethics (Method and Moral Justification, pp. 390-430)

24.3. Biomedical Skills: Values, virtues and the guts

31.3. Patients First: Bioethics in primary care

Primary text: Francis Peabody, The Care for the Patient

7.4. No lecture

14.4. Society First: Bioethics and politics

Primary text: Peter Singer, Famine, Affluence and Morality

21.4. Who Is a Baby Here? Abortion and infanticide

Primary text: Judith Jarvis Thomson, A Defense of Abortion (in Kuhse et al.,Bioethics: An Anthology, pp.38-48)

28.4. We Shall All Die: Bioethics and Physician-Assisted Dying

Primary texts: James Rachels, Active and Passive Euthanasia, Winston Nesbbit, Is Killing No Worse Than Letting Die? (in Kuhse et al.,Bioethics: An Anthology, pp. 248-256)

5.6. The Nature Needs Help: Assisted Reproduction

Primary text: Derek Parfit, Rights, Interests, and Possible People (in Kuhse et al.,Bioethics: An Anthology, pp.86-90)

12.6. Better, faster, healthier: Enhancement and Transhumanism

Primary text: Melinda Hall, The bioethics of enhancement: transhumanism, disability, and biopolitics (chapter 3 Rethinking Enhancement)

Last update: Linka Vojtěch, Mgr., Ph.D. (29.01.2026)

Learning Goals

Understand bioethics as a historical and conceptual development

Work with classical bioethical texts

Analyze concrete moral problems using philosophical argumentation

Reflect critically on the limits of medicine and moral responsibility

Articulate and defend a reasoned ethical position

Last update: Linka Vojtěch, Mgr., Ph.D. (14.01.2026)

Learning Goals

Understand bioethics as a historical and conceptual development

Work with classical bioethical texts

Analyze concrete moral problems using philosophical argumentation

Reflect critically on the limits of medicine and moral responsibility

Articulate and defend a reasoned ethical position

Last update: Linka Vojtěch, Mgr., Ph.D. (14.01.2026)