YBI-20806 Ethics, Philosophy and History of the Life Sciences

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch

Contents:

During the course students get a short overview of the history of the sciences. A concise survey will be given of the development of the natural sciences in general and the life sciences in particular. In addition, students get an overview of the theories, methods and debates in the ethics and philosophy in (the life) science. Students also learn to write an academic text. This part of course will focus on structure, word choice, and overall cohesion of the text as well as the finer point of good writing such as the use of transitional words and punctuation. At the end of the course students have to write an essay about an ethical, philosophical or historical aspect that influenced the biological science as it is practiced today.

Learning outcomes:

After the course students should be able to:
- reproduce important historical events and periods and explain their significance for the development of biological sciences;
- reproduce important theories and methods in ethics and philosophy in the life sciences;
- recognize different ways of reasoning;
- to recognize and analyse societal and ethical aspects in concrete situations;
- apply theoretical knowledge of ethics and philosophy to in order to discuss the societal and ethical aspects of biological research.

Activities:

- attend lectures about history, ethics and philosophy of the life sciences;
- participate in tutorials on academic writing;
- write an essay.

Examination:

Written examination; essay.

Literature:

Will be available at the WUR shop.