Universitat Internacional de Catalunya

Ethics

Ethics
6
15570
2
First semester
FB
Main language of instruction: Catalan

Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish,

Teaching staff


Mrs. RAVENTOS GARCIA-AMORENA, Georgina - graventos@uic.es

Prof. Georgina Raventós (graventos@uic.es)
Mondays, from 12 to 2 p.m.
Or at any other time, by arrangement via email.

Please confirm in advance by email: graventos@uic.es

Introduction

The Ethics course raises questions about the value of human life and about how to conduct oneself in relation to the pursuit and practice of the good. In this sense, it offers an introduction both to the philosophical foundations of Ethics (General Ethics) and to the application of this knowledge to the practical life of our time (Specific Ethics), particularly with regard to some of the main challenges that citizens and physiotherapy professionals may face in today's society.

Over the course of this semester, students will study the basic concepts of human morality and will analyze some of the fundamental texts in the history of ethics. The contents of the course are of three types: (a) theoretical classes will study the relationship between action theory, practical rationality, and ethics; (b) writings by Aristotle, Hume, Kant, and other authors will be analyzed, following a text-commentary methodology; (c) practical ethics cases will be worked through, in order to apply what has been learned in theory.

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

INTRODUCTION. Ethics as lived experience and field of study

  1. Theoretical philosophy and practical philosophy. Ethics is reflected praxis
  2. The parts of moral philosophy: action theory, practical rationality, and normative ethics

TOPIC I. Human action and the question of happiness

  1. Action theory: intentionality and freedom in human action
  2. Metaphysics of action and anthropology: the determination of human happiness

TOPIC II. Moral actions and practical rationality

  1. The desire for happiness and morality
  2. On the structure of intentional actions
  3. Practical reason and the constitution of good and evil
  4. The objective meaning of human actions and their determination by reason
  5. Anthropology of moral action

TOPIC III. Moral virtues

  1. The concept of moral virtue
  2. Moral virtue as a habit of good choice in action
  3. The system of moral virtues: cardinal virtues and particular virtues

TOPIC IV. Structures of rationality

  1. The principles of practical reason
  2. Moral science and conscience
  3. Moral norms
  4. Ethics of judgment in action (structures of prudence)

SPECIFIC ETHICS

TOPIC V. Professional ethics

  1. Professional and legal ethical principles
  2. Decision-making applied to Physiotherapy

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 grade of 5.
The overall grade is obtained by calculating the weighted average of two activities:


a) Class activities and participation (30%): a text or case commentary will be carried out every week; one of these will be collected for evaluation without prior notice. Class attendance is mandatory and determines whether these activities are counted: to be taken into account, the student must have submitted at least 80% of these surprise assessments over the course of the term.


b) Theoretical assessment (70%): this part will consist of an eliminatory midterm exam (35%) 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

MANUALS

  • AGUILAR, M.; MARQUÉS, E., Ética profesional en Fisioterapia, 2017.
  • RODRÍGUEZ LUÑO, A., Ética general, EUNSA, 2014.
  • SGRECCIA, E., Manual de Bioética I: Fundamentos y Ética Biomédica, BAC, 2010.
  • RHONHEIMER, M., La perspectiva de la moral: fundamentos de la ética filosófica, Rialp, Madrid, 2000.

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

  • ANSCOMBE, G. E. M., Intention, Harvard University Press, Cambridge (Mass.), 2000 (2ª ed., Basil Blackwell, Oxford, 1963). [Trad. esp.: Intención, trad. A. I. Stellino, Paidós, Barcelona, 1991]
  • ANSCOMBE, G. E. M., "Thought and Action in Aristotle. What is 'Practical Truth'?", en Collected Philosophical Papers, vol. I, Blackwell, Oxford, 1981, pp. 66-77.
  • ANSCOMBE, G. E. M., "On Brute Facts", en The Collected Philosophical Papers, vol. III, Blackwell, Oxford, 1981, pp. 22-25.
  • ANSCOMBE, G. E. M., "Modern Moral Philosophy", en Collected Philosophical Papers, vol. III, pp. 26-42. [Trad. esp.: "La filosofía moral moderna", trad. de C.F.J. Martin y J.M. Torralba, en La filosofía analítica y la espiritualidad del hombre, Eunsa, Pamplona, 2005, pp. 94-124]
  • ANSCOMBE, G. E. M., "Practical Truth", en Human Life, Action and Ethics, ed. M. Geach – L. Gormally, Imprint Academic, Exeter, 2005, pp. 149-158.
  • ARISTÓTELES, Ética a Nicómaco, CEPC, Madrid, 1999.
  • ARISTÓTELES, Política, CEPC, Madrid, 2005.
  • CULLITY, G.; GAUT, B. (eds.), Ethics and Practical Reason, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1997.
  • CRUZ, A., Deseo y verificación. La estructura fundamental de la ética, EUNSA, Pamplona, 2015.
  • DAVIDSON, D., "Actions, Reasons and Causes", en Essays on Actions and Events, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1980, pp. 3-20. [Trad. esp.: "Acciones, razones y causas", en Ensayos sobre razones y sucesos, Crítica, Barcelona, 1995]
  • DAVIDSON, D., "How is Weakness of the Will Possible?", en Essays on Actions and Events, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1980, pp. 21-42. [Trad. esp.: "¿Cómo es posible la debilidad de la voluntad?", en Ensayos sobre razones y sucesos, Crítica, Barcelona, 1995]
  • GEACH, P. T., "Good and Evil", en Analysis, 17 (1956), pp. 33-42.
  • GONZÁLEZ, Ana Marta, Gramática de la vida moral. Curso de ética, Eunsa, Pamplona, 2025.
  • GONZÁLEZ, Ana Marta, Moral, razón, naturaleza. Una investigación sobre Tomás de Aquino, Pamplona, Eunsa, 2021.
  • GONZÁLEZ, Ana Marta, "Moral, Filosofía Moral y Metafísica en Santo Tomás de Aquino", en Pensamiento, 56 (2000), pp. 439-467.
  • GONZÁLEZ, A. M.; VIGO, A. (eds.), Practical Rationality. Scope and Structures of Human Agency, Olms, 2010.
  • GRISEZ, G., "The First Principle of Practical Reasoning: A Commentary on the Summa Theologiae, 1-2, Question 94, article 2", en Kenny, A., Aquinas. A Collection of Critical Essays, Anchor Books, Garden City, N.Y., 1970.
  • HUME, D., The Philosophical Works, ed. T. H. Green and T. H. Grose, reprint of the new edition London 1882, Scientia Verlag Aalen, 1964.
  • INCIARTE, F., First Principles, Substance and Action. Studies in Aristotle and Aristotelianism, ed. L. Flamarique, Olms, Hildesheim-New York, 2005.
  • KENNY, A., Will, Freedom and Power, Blackwell, Oxford, 1975.
  • LAITINEN, A.; SANDIS, C. (eds.), Hegel on Action, Palgrave-MacMillan, New York, 2010.
  • LEYVA, G., La filosofía de la acción. Un análisis histórico-sistemático de la acción y la racionalidad práctica en los clásicos de la filosofía, Síntesis – Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Madrid, 2008.
  • LLANO, A., "Hacia una teoría general de la acción", en Sueño y vigilia de la razón, Eunsa, Pamplona, 2001, pp. 47-81.
  • NUSSBAUM, M., Aristotle's De Motu Animalium, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1985.
  • McINERNY, R., Aquinas on Human Action. A Theory of Practice, The Catholic University of America Press, Washington D.C., 1992.
  • PIPPIN, R., "On the Moral Foundations of Kant's Rechtslehre", en Idealism as Modernism. Hegelian Variations, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1997, pp. 56-91.
  • TOMÁS DE AQUINO, Suma Teológica, BAC, Madrid, 1954.
  • TORRALBA, J. M., Acción intencional y razonamiento práctico según G. E. M. Anscombe, Eunsa, Pamplona, 2005, cap. II, IV y V.
  • TORRALBA, J. M., Libertad, objeto práctico y acción. La facultad del juicio en la filosofía moral de Kant, Olms, Hildesheim, 2009.
  • TORRALBA, J. M., "Bienes humanos y normatividad moral. La crítica de G.E.M. Anscombe al concepto de 'moral ought'", en Acta philosophica, 19 (2010), pp. 349-361.
  • VIGO, A. G., Estudios aristotélicos, Eunsa, Pamplona, 2006.
  • VIGO, A. G., "Ética y derecho según Kant", en Tópicos, 41 (2011).
  • VOGLER, C., "The Standard Picture of Practical Reason", en Reasonably Vicious, Harvard University Press, Cambridge (MA), 2002, pp. 147-179.
  • WILLIAMS, B., "Internal and External Reasons", en Moral Luck, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1981, pp. 101-113.
  • WISEMAN, R., Routledge Philosophy GuideBook to Anscombe's Intention, Routledge, 2016.
  • SCHWENKLER, J., Anscombe's Intention, Oxford University Press, 2019.
  • WITTGENSTEIN, L., Investigaciones filosóficas, trad. de A. García y U. Moulines, UNAM / Crítica, Barcelona, 1988.

REFERENCE WORKS (Bioethics and health ethics)

  • 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.
  • ASHLEY, B.M.; O'ROURKE, K.D., Ethics of Health Care, An Introductory Textbook, 2ª ed., Georgetown University Press, Washington, 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.
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