E12: Ethical Problems

Iconic Renaissance fresco depicting ancient philosophers, located in the Vatican Museums.

Course Overview

CE Hours

3 CE Credits

Course Description

Ethical Problems examines the foundational definitions, historical development, and practical application of ethics in professional and personal settings. This course traces ethical thinking from ancient Greek philosophy through Christian ethics, Kantian deontology, and Utilitarian theory, and applies these frameworks, RuleRight, CareRight, and EndRight, to real-world ethical dilemmas. Learners will review major codes of ethics, analyze complex case studies including human cloning and drug testing, and develop their ability to reason through ethical problems with clarity and confidence.

Course Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, learners will be able to:

  1. Define ethics and distinguish between ethical problems, ethical dilemmas, and related concepts including hedonism, nihilism, and ethical egoism
  2. Describe the contributions of ancient Greek philosophers: Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates: to the foundation of ethical thinking
  3. Explain the Christian ethics framework and its emphasis on care, forgiveness, and service to others
  4. Describe Kant’s categorical imperative and explain how it applies to the RuleRight ethical framework
  5. Explain Utilitarianism and how it applies to the EndRight ethical framework in modern ethical reasoning
  6. Identify and apply major codes of ethics including the West Point Honor Code, the Rotary 4-Way Test, and the Declaration of Geneva
  7. Apply ethical reasoning frameworks to analyze real-world ethical dilemmas including human cloning and patient autonomy
  8. Describe international differences in moral reasoning among medical professional

Course Format and Faculty

Course Format:

Online linked resources and lectures available anytime, 24/7. Includes one multiple-choice exam taken at the end of the course. A passing grade of 75% is required. Upon passing, learners may print their certificate immediately.

Course Developers and Instructors:

R. Klimes, PhD, MPH (Johns Hopkins University) is a scholar and author in health-related research, health behaviors, ethics, end-of-life care, and overall wellness. He has written numerous research reports and books and has held academic and leadership roles in higher education and public health internationally.

Course Time:

Approximately 3 hours for online study, test taking, course evaluation feedback, and certificate printing.