Movements and Movies in Bioethics: The Use of Theatre and Cinema in Teaching Bioethics

Abstract

This chapter has five aims. First, to address the didactic assets and strengths of the dialogue form compared to the use of the philosophical prose form in teaching bioethics. Second, to discuss how teachers of bioethics should proceed didactically to make students benefit morally from their teaching. Third, the aim is to demonstrate how bits and parts of theatre plays and movies may be used didactically to promote a kind of moral learning that is not confined to providing students with knowledge about ethical theories and principles, but engages their moral appetites, beliefs, emotions and desires as well. Fourth, a methodology for selecting relevant bits and parts of theatre plays and movies will be proposed. Finally, a moral methodology of cathartic analysis and learning of such narratives will be suggested, taking its inspiration from Plato's and Aristotle's conceptions of catharsis.