The course is open to both international and Czech students; passive knowledge of English is required. The <br>
course aims to develop practical and theoretical competencies in bioethics, focusing on up-to-date issues in <br>
clinical practice and medical research. The subject builds on the knowledge gained in the mandatory medical <br>
ethics courses (third-year GM). Each session will consist of two parts: a lecture introducing the topic and a <br>
discussion of a key text relevant to the subject, read by students in advance. Students will develop their academic skills (close reading, <br>
discussion, argumentative skills, etc.) and gain a broad understanding of bioethical aspects of their future clinical <br>
and academic practice. <br>
Last update: Linka Vojtěch, Mgr., Ph.D. (14.01.2026)
The course is open to both international and Czech students; passive knowledge of English is required. The <br>
course aims to develop practical and theoretical competencies in bioethics, focusing on up-to-date issues in <br>
clinical practice and medical research. The subject builds on the knowledge gained in the mandatory medical <br>
ethics courses (third-year GM). Each session will consist of two parts: a lecture introducing the topic and a <br>
discussion of a key text relevant to the subject, read by students in advance. Students will develop their academic skills (close reading, <br>
discussion, argumentative skills, etc.) and gain a broad understanding of bioethical aspects of their future clinical <br>
and academic practice. <br>
Last update: Linka Vojtěch, Mgr., Ph.D. (14.01.2026)
Course completion requirements -
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)
Literature -
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)
Syllabus -
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
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)
Learning outcomes -
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)
