Laboratory of Rationality and Applied Ethics

The Laboratory of Rationality and Applied Ethics is a project that has been institutionally hosted by the Centre for Classical and Humanistic Studies of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Coimbra since May 2019. Its main goal is the interdisciplinary discussion of practical cases that illustrate ethically complex situations, particularly within the field of hospital ethics. The Laboratory promotes several activities open to the public, such as lectures, seminars, and debates, along with a monthly meeting of the Observatory, which is comprised of members from various academic backgrounds (Philosophy, Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and the Health Sciences) holding interdisciplinary discussions on practical cases in clinical ethics. A joint report is then written by the Observatory members, describing the conclusions reached during the meeting concerning the ethical, medical, and legal issues found in the case discussed.

After an initial period of the Laboratory’s implementation within the Ethics and Health framework, an extension of the Laboratory’s activity to the area of Institutional Ethics is planned, starting in September 2021.