Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Ethics
Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish,
Teaching staff
Introduction
The Ethics course encourages reflection on the value of human life and on how to act in relation to the pursuit and practice of good. In this regard, it offers an introduction to both the philosophical foundations of Ethics (General Ethics) and the application of this knowledge in the practical life of our time (Specific Ethics), particularly with regard to some of the main challenges faced by citizens and physiotherapy professionals in today’s society.
Pre-course requirements
To have knowledge of Philosophical Anthropology.
Objectives
Develop the ability to reflect on and argue ethical issues based on the analysis of the contemporary situation.
Provide conceptual tools to understand the importance of acquiring the fundamental principles and virtues of an ethics of care.
Discover the meaning and value of the fundamental principle of the dignity of the human person.
Show the importance of interpersonal communication in the context of the therapeutic relationship.
Present the foundations of professional legislation in Physiotherapy.
Analyze the significant implications of social and cultural diversity for understanding illness and health.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 01 - Have the ability to analyze and synthesize.
- 07 - Demonstrate decision-making skills.
- 09 - Demonstrate critical thinking skills.
- 11 - The ability to adapt to new situations.
- 22 - Knowledge of factors that affect human growth and development throughout the lifespan.
- 27 - Knowledge of psychological and social factors that affect the health of the individual, family and community.
- 28.2 - Demonstrate Interpersonal skills.
- 28.3 - Show respect, appreciation and sensitivity towards the work of others.
- 28.4 - Understanding of the psychological aspects of the physiotherapist-patient relationship.
- 36 - Knowledge of factors involved in problems of social inequality and in the health needs of different social groups.
- 37 - Knowledge of ethics, legal and professional issues in physiotherapy practice.
- 37.1 - Use discretion, use available information appropriately and respect patient dignity and confidentiality
- 37.2 - Commitment to ethical conduct.
- 37.3 - Appreciation and respect for diversity and multiculturalism.
- 37.4 - Adhere to professional competencies and standards in health care.
- 37.5 - Knowledge of the profession's deontological ethics codes.
- 38 - Ability to incorporate ethical and legal principles into the professional culture.
- 38.1 - Respect for the rights of the patient and their family.
- 45 - Knowledge of problem-solving and critical thinking theories.
- HB01 - Integrate the different ethical, legal and professional aspects in the practice of physiotherapy, as well as the essential values of human dignity, acting with discretion and respect for diversity and multiculturalism, taking into account the rights of the patient/user and family members.
- HB10 - Apply the legal bases, the ethical and deontological code of physiotherapy, incorporating the ethical and legal principles of the profession into the professional culture and adjusting to the limits of their professional competence in health care.
Learning outcomes of the subject
- MAT17 - 09. Work in compliance with applicable legislation and the ethical and deontological code of Physiotherapy.
- MAT17 - 06. Work respecting the legal and ethical basis of the professional field.
- MAT17 - 08. Work to guarantee the right to dignity, privacy, intimacy, confidentiality and decision-making capacity of the patient and family.
- MAT17 - 12. Prioritize those provisions related to a correct way of welcoming human fragility and pain.
- MAT17 - 10. Distinguish the ethical aspects that arise in professional practice, identifying apparent ethical conflicts and the essential values of human dignity
- MAT17 - 11. Work demonstrating a committed attitude towards ethical situations in the professional field.
- MAT18 - 04. Integrate the ethical and legal principles of the profession into the professional culture.
Syllabus
GENERAL ETHICS
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Structure of the human act: object, purpose, conscience, conflicting situations.
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Conceptions of the good life: eudaimonism, hedonism, stoicism, Christian humanism, modernity, and personalism.
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Theories of obligation: virtue ethics, utilitarian ethics, and deontological ethics.
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Ethical foundations of law: sources of law, principles, and legislative models.
SPECIFIC ETHICS
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Bioethics: history and main models, American school and European school.
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Professional ethics: professional and legal ethical principles and decision-making applied to Physiotherapy.
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Ethics of social life: ethics of authority, integrity, affectivity, property, truthfulness, and identity.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The course will be delivered primarily through theoretical sessions (lectures) and practical sessions. The content of the lectures will focus on developing the main topics and concepts of the course as outlined in the syllabus. The practical sessions will mainly involve the analysis of texts, audiovisual materials, and real cases, with the aim of illustrating and deepening the understanding of the previously explained concepts.
| TRAINING ACTIVITY | METHODOLOGY |
| Autonomous learning activities. Practical classes. Theoretical classes. Independent study. Tutoring. | Cooperative learning. Presentation method / lecture. Case method. Problem-solving exercises. |
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
The Ethics course is passed with a minimum grade of 5.
The final grade is calculated as the weighted average of two components:
a) Attendance and participation (40%): attendance (15%) and individual active participation in class and contribution to group case discussions (10%). Preparation of the session protocol and/or synthesis work (5%).
b) Theoretical assessment (60%): this consists of a midterm eliminatory exam (25%) and a final exam (35%).
To average the two components, the student must obtain a minimum of 5 in each. If a student scores below 5 in any component, the course is failed and that part must be retaken during the resit (extraordinary) exam session.
The maximum grade for any retaken activity will be 5, and this will be averaged with the other previously passed components.
Copying, falsification, or academic fraud in written assignments (individual or group), class attendance, or written/oral exams is considered a serious offense, and will result in the immediate failure of the course.
If repeated, a disciplinary file will be opened against the offender(s).
Honors distinctions will not be awarded in the second exam session.
The criterion for awarding Honors (MH) starts from a grade of 9.0.
The decision is solely at the discretion of the professor, who is not obliged to award it, even if a student scores above 9.0.
If the professor decides to award MH, the decision will not be based solely on the highest numerical grade, but on other qualitative factors.
Honors does not necessarily go to the student with the highest score.
Any task or activity (including exams) in which plagiarism, falsification, or academic fraud is detected will result in automatic failure of the activity and may lead to an academic penalty, ranging from the loss of enrollment rights for the course to the initiation of a disciplinary proceeding.
Bibliography and resources
TEXTBOOKS
AGUILAR, M., I MARQUÉS, E., Ética profesional en Fisioterapia, 2017.
POLAINO, A., Manual de Bioética General, Rialp, 2000.
CICCONE, L., Bioética. Historia. Principios. Cuestiones, Palabra, Madrid, 2005.
MANERO, E.; TOMAS, G Mª, Diccionario de Bioética para estudiantes, Formación Alcalá, S.L., 2008.
RODRÍGUEZ DUPLÁ, L., ÉTICA, BAC, 2016.
RODRÍGUEZ LUÑO, A., Ética general, EUNSA, 2010
SGRECCIA, E., Manual de Bioetica I: Fundamentos y Ética Biomédica, BAC, 2010.
SIMON, C., Diccionario de Bioética, Montecarmelo, 2006.
REFERENCE WORKS
AA.VV, Vivir y morir con dignidad: temas fundamentales de bioética en una sociedad plural, A M González, E. Postigo, S. Aulestiarte (ed), Pamplona, Eunsa, 2000.
ABEL, F., Bioética: orígenes, presente y futuro, Madrid, Institut Borja de Bioética, Fundación Mapfre medicina, reimp., 2001.
ALBURQUERQUE, E., Bioética, una apuesta por la vida, Madrid, 1992.
ANDORNO, R., Bioética y dignidad de la persona, Madrid, Tecnos, 1998.
ANRUBIA, E. (Ed.), La fragilidad de los hombres. La enfermedad, la filosofía y la muerte, Eds. Cristiandad, Madrid, 2008.
ASHELY, B.M., O'ROURKE, K.D., Ethics of Health care, An Introductory Textbook, 2ª ed. Washington, Georgetown University Press, 1994.
BEAUCHAMPS, T.L., CHILDRESS, F. J., Principios de Ética Biomédica, Barcelona, Mason 4ª ed., 2000.
BLAZQUEZ, N., Bioética: La nueva ciencia de la vida, Madrid, BAC, 2000.
COMITÉ CONSULTIU DE BIOÈTICA DE CATALUNYA (2007), Orientacions sobre la diversitat cultural i la salut, Generalitat de Catalunya, Departament de Salut.
D'AGOSTINO, F., Bioética: estudios de Filosofía del Derecho, Madrid, Eiunsa, 2003.
DE HENNEZEL, M., La muerte íntima, Barcelona: Plaza & Janés, 1996.
DEL BARCO, J.L., Bioética de la persona: fundamentos éticos y antropológicos, Chía [Colombia], Universidad de la Sabana, 1996.
ESCRIBANO, X. (Ed.), Territoris humans de la salut. Societat, cultura i valors en el món sanitari, Eds. Dux, Barcelona, 2008.
ESPEJO, M.D., CASTILLA, A., Bioética en las Ciencias de la Salud, Granada, Asociación Alcalá, 2001.
GRACIA, D., Fundamentos de Bioética, Madrid, 1989.
LÓPEZ MORATALLA, N., [et al.], Deontología biológica, Pamplona, Universidad de Navarra, 1987.
LEÓN SANZ, P. (ed.), La implantación de los derechos del paciente: comentarios a la Ley 41-2002, EUNSA, Pamplona, 2004.
MONGE, M. A., Ética, salud, enfermedad, Palabra, Madrid, 1991.
POISSON, J.F., Bioética ¿El hombre contra el hombre?, Rialp, Madrid, 2009.
ROQUE, M.V., Médico y paciente. El lado humano de la medicina, Ed. Dux, Barcelona, 2007.
TORRALBA, F., Antropología del cuidar, Institut Borja de Bioètica / Fundación Mapfre Medicina, Barcelona, 1998.
READINGS
SÉNECA, Sobre la felicidad, Alianza Editorial, 2013.
TOLSTOI, L., La muerte de Ivan Ilich, Penguin Clásicos 2025.
Evaluation period
- E1 19/01/2026 A08 12:00h
- E1 19/01/2026 A09 12:00h
- E2 09/07/2026 A09 08:00h
- E2 09/07/2026 A08 08:00h