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Reproduction and Death: Scientific and Philosophical Perspectives
Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:31:13
Abstract
Reproduction and death are phenomena of complex life. They can be considered from a biological and a philosophical perspective, since "life" is a germ that is relevant in both of these disciplines. The lecture will give an overview on theories about these phenomena both in biology and in philosophy and relate them to each other.
Objective
Understanding theories of life in biology and philosophy and their relation.
Content
Reproduction and death are phenomena of complex life. They can be considered from a biological and a philosophical perspective, since "life" is a term that is relevant in both of these disciplines. The lecture will give an overview of theories about these phenomena both in biology and in philosophy and relate them to each other. Is this context two concepts are central: "life" and "form". Before the origin of biology as a science in its own right, "life" had different meanings: the existence of person, the forms of possible existences, like theoretical and practical life. What we call physiological processes now was also a topic, but not sharply detached from the existential ones. The same applies to death. Death is the end of breathing, of heart-beat and now of the electrical functioning of the brain. But it has an existential dimension too: the end of an individual's future. Because human reproduce, they have a future as a species. But how does this future relate to the futures of individuals?
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DS , MSC
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Reproduction and Death: Scientific and Philosophical Perspectives |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Wissenschaft im Kontext (Science in Perspective) (In Kursen aus dem Programm “Wissenschaft im Kontext” lernen Studierende, die MINT Fächer der ETH aus der Perspektive der Geistes-, Sozial- und Staatswissenschaften zu reflektieren. Nur die in diesem Abschnitt aufgelisteten Fächer können als "Wissenschaft im Kontext" angerechnet werden.)
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Typ A: Förderung allgemeiner Reflexionskompetenz (WiK-Kurse werden für Bachelorstudierende nach dem ersten Studienjahr sowie für alle Masterstudierende und Doktorierende empfohlen. Alle WiK-Kurse sind in Typ A gelistet. Bei den unter Typ B aufgeführten Kursen handelt es sich lediglich um Belegungsempfehlungen für bestimmte Departemente.)
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