| Unit name | Philosophy of Medicine |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHIL20042 |
| Credit points | 10 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Grose |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None. |
| School/department | Department of Philosophy |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This SSC asks a fundamental question: how does medicine know? It uses approaches from the philosophy of science and case studies drawn from the history of medicine to explore often taken-for-granted assumptions and structures underpinning medical knowledge. The unit critically explores the different methods of enquiry used in medicine, and the different kinds of evidence and knowledge they yield. Students will become familiar with key episodes in medical history and with principal questions in philosophy of science and their application to medicine.
Aims:
1) To explore the nature of medical enquiry and knowledge.
2) To learn to use and apply basic concepts and tools from the philosophy of science to medicine.
3) To gain and develop new insight into the different kinds of method, evidence and interpretation that shape how medical practitioners know.
THIS UNIT IS RESTRICTED TO 2ND YEAR MEDICAL STUDENTS.
On successful completion of this unit students will:
1) Have a good understanding of key issues and standpoints in the history and epistemology of modern medicine
2) Be able to engage critically with their positions and arguments, and offer their own assessment of them.
10 x 1-hr lectures; 10 x 1-hr tutorials
