The aim of this course is to introduce students to the moral philosophical principles underlying human behavior relevant to the discipline. We focus on the moral philosophies and consider case scenarios to promote ability of trainees to engage and disseminate principles that support responsible conduct of research (RCR), research and scientific integrity (RSI), diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA), and safe and sexual harassment free research working environment (SASHFWE).  Current events will also be used to illustrate the concepts taught in this course.

Course topics include:

• Moral philosophy and moral reasoning, including introduction to logic
• Cultural relativism and varieties of research cultural practices
• Moral nihilism and subjectivism, and their application to research integrity
• Free will and the moral responsibility to act
• The role of religion and natural law
• Egoism or why is it necessary to be moral
• Social contract between researchers and the community
• Utilitarianism
• Deontology
• Virtue ethics
• The ethics of gender
• The ethics of tribes and race