Department of Philosophy

The Kennedy Institute of Ethics (KIE) is one of the world's premier bioethics institutes. Founded at Georgetown in 1971, its faculty includes founders of the field as well as next-generation leaders. Their expertise on issues such as health care reform, death and dying, clinical research ethics, abortion, and environmental ethics make the KIE a renowned resource for the University, the policy world, and the global bioethics community.

Since shortly after its founding, the KIE has been closely affiliated with the Department of Philosophy. Most KIE Senior Research Scholars have appointments in the Department, and members of the KIE regularly offers courses in bioethics and applied ethics at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Graduate students in philosophy work closely with KIE faculty and staff on a number of programs, including the KIE Journal and the undergraduate Ethics and Bioethics Bowl Team.