- Docente: Emma Capulli
- Credits: 1
- SSD: PHIL-02/A
- Language: Italian
- Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially)
- Campus: Forli
- Corso: Single cycle degree programme (LMCU) in Medicine and Surgery (cod. 6732)
Learning outcomes
Critically reflect on the structure and objectivity of medical knowledge and on the institutions that produce it, and develop the ability to respond to the challenges posed by anti-science.
Course contents
The module explores the relationship between science, medicine, and society, critically examining contemporary transformations in medicine and the ethical, legal, and social implications of biomedical and digital technologies.
The main topics covered are:
- processes of medicalisation and transformations in contemporary medicine;
- reproductive labour and the relationships between gender, care, and the social organisation of reproduction;
- reproductive technologies, reproductive rights, and the fertility market;
- medically assisted reproduction, surrogacy, and the main regulatory models;
- digital health, wearable devices, and health monitoring;
- autonomy, vulnerability, and transformations in care relationships in the context of digital health technologies.
The course is introductory and does not require any prior knowledge of philosophy, law, or related disciplines.
Readings/Bibliography
For the exam, students are required to study the lecture slides and the articles or short book sections that will be uploaded to Virtuale.
For further reading, the following texts are recommended:
Cooper M., Waldby C., Biolavoro globale. Corpi e nuova manodopera, Rome, DeriveApprodi, 2015.
Lombardi L., De Zordo S. (eds.), La procreazione medicalmente assistita e le sue sfide. Generi, tecnologie e disuguaglianze, Milan, FrancoAngeli, 2013.
Capulli E., Gestazione per altre. Oltre la dicotomia tra mercato e solidarietà, Florence, Clinamen, 2025.
Rose N., La politica della vita. Biomedicina, potere e soggettività nel XXI secolo, Turin, Einaudi, 2008.
Teaching methods
Lectures provide a theoretical introduction to the main topics, complemented by the discussion of case studies, scientific articles, and legal and regulatory materials. Slides and additional learning materials will be made available on the Virtuale platform.
Assessment methods
The assessment consists of a written multiple-choice examination covering the three modules of the integrated course Philosophy of Medicine and Bioethics.
The questions are designed to assess students’ knowledge of the main concepts addressed during the course, their understanding of the ethical and philosophical issues discussed, and their ability to apply this knowledge to the critical analysis of contemporary cases and problems.
Teaching tools
PC, projector
Office hours
See the website of Emma Capulli