Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - PHIL 321 D200

Topics in Moral Philosophy (3)

Bioethics

Class Number: 6850

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Schuyler Pringle

  • Prerequisites:

    One of PHIL 120, 120W, 121, 220, 221, 270, SDA 270, ENV 320W, or REM 320W.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An advanced investigation of central issues and theories in moral philosophy. In any given term, the course may focus on a general theory or concept or concern, for example meta-ethics, utilitarianism, or theories of rights. Sometimes it will focus on a particular problem or problems, such as medical ethics, moral personhood, or free will and moral responsibility. May be repeated for credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Topics in Moral Philosophy: Bioethics

Making Decisions in Healthcare
Many of us are familiar with issues in bioethics. Whether through medical dramas, news stories, or personal experience in a hospital, we encounter the kinds of moral questions that lie at the heart of this field. In this course, we examine in detail a range of ethical and political issues related to health care from a philosophical point of view, paying special attention to the kinds of health care decisions we can make for ourselves and for others:

  • Is abortion morally defensible?
  • Can parents genetically modify their children? Ought they?
  • Can we choose to end our own lives?
  • Can parents choose to end the lives of their children? Should they even be allowed to make health care decisions for their children?
Some of these questions may seem familiar; others may challenge what you take for granted. All of them are important and ongoing—both within philosophy and in the broader social world. While the perspective taken in this course is largely philosophical, it is intended to be valuable for students of philosophy as well as those pursuing careers in health care and related fields.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate understanding of major ethical theories and concepts in bioethics.
  • Analyze and evaluate philosophical arguments about key health care decisions.
  • Conduct independent research and integrate scholarly sources into a well-argued critical essay.
  • Communicate ethical reasoning clearly and persuasively in both oral and written formats.
PHIL 321 may be applied towards the Certificate in Ethics and the Concentration in Law and Philosophy.
This course may be repeated for credit if the topic is different, but not in the same term.

Grading

  • Participation (attendance, contribution to in-class discussions, and office hour discussion) 15%
  • 3 short writing assignments 25%
  • Short essay 25%
  • Research essay 35%

NOTES:

About participation: Students will be evaluated on the basis of attendance, contribution to in-class discussion, office hour discussion, and in-class writing assignments.

REQUIREMENTS:

Written work for this course will be submitted via Turnitin, a third party service licensed for use by SFU. Turnitin is used for originality checking to help detect plagiarism. Students will be required to create an account with Turnitin, and to submit their work via that account, on the terms stipulated in the agreement between the student and Turnitin. This agreement includes the retention of your submitted work as part of the Turnitin database. Any student with a concern about using the Turnitin service may opt to use an anonymous identity in their interactions with Turnitin. Students who do not intend to use Turnitin in the standard manner must notify the instructor at least two weeks in advance of any submission deadline. In particular, it is the responsibility of any student using the anonymous option (i.e. false name and temporary e-mail address created for the purpose) to inform the instructor such that the instructor can match up the anonymous identity with the student.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Students must bring writing utensils and have access to internet and a computer/other in order to hand in assignments.

REQUIRED READING:

There will be no formal text for this class. All written materials will be supplied online, using the syllabus to provide links to the required articles.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Thinking of a Philosophy Major or Minor? The Concentration in Law and Philosophy? The Certificate in Ethics? The Philosophy and Methodology of Science Certificate?
Contact the PHIL Advisor at philcomm@sfu.ca   More details on our website: SFU Philosophy

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.