Introduction to Ethics, Spring 2012; Jeffrey Wattles, instructor
16389 21001-004 TRF 1:10 – 2:00 Bowman 207
As an LER course, this class introduces you to some of the history, questions, and methods of Western philosophical ethics, including philosophy’s methods of logical reasoning. We will study Aristotelian, Thomistic, and contemporary virtue ethics; the golden rule; and Kantian and utilitarian ethics of moral principle.
Diversity element: Philosophy helps us assess intellectual diversity—no matter to what extent that diversity is a function of gender, race, class, culture, or other variables in the human family. In addition, we consider religious as well as non-religious versions of our principal theories, with some consideration of Chinese ethics and feminist concerns. This course satisfies Kent State University's diversity requirement.
Texts: Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle, ISBN: 0-87220-464-2 (Hackett Press).
The Golden Rule, Jeffrey Wattles ISBN: 0-19-511036-6 (Oxford University Press); Ethical Philosophy, Immanuel Kant, ISBN: 0-87220-320-4 (Hackett Press)
Utilitarianism and Other Essays, John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham, ISBN: 0-14-043272-8.
Evaluation
We are a community of inquiry, and our interaction has a life of its own; so you are expected to attend regularly (unless you are sick), be on time, have the reading done, have a copy of the written assignment for the day, and be ready to participate. If you must miss more than a couple classes, let me know. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to get notes from someone else, to ask the instructor if you still have questions, and to ask the instructor for whatever may have been handed back during your absence. In case of an epidemic or other emergency, arrangements will be made for computer-based interaction. If you miss four weeks of class, how can I pass you? The course website is http://sites.google.com/a/kent.edu/jwattles.
Policy on cell phones and laptops in class. During class, cell phones are to be turned off and put away, not on your desk (e.g., behind your purse) or in your lap. The use of laptops is not permitted in class. If you believe that there is reason to make an exception in your case, you must discuss this with the instructor. Research is mounting that multi-tasking is harmful to the brain. You may distract other students, dilute your education, and communicate disrespect to the instructor. Education in the U.S. is widely recognized to be in decline, and this is a place where we work to turn things around.
The grade is based on participation (10 points); two papers (30 points each); three quizzes, the last of which is the final examination (10 points each).
Papers must be well written to receive a C or above. For a quick introduction to some of the standards, see the link on the home page of the new website. Writing—a skill that schools sometimes fail to teach—is important for your career, especially when so much communication is mediated by machines. English is a first or second language in many nations, and to use the language well is a service to our world. If I don’t fuss about writing, you should see what some folks hand in! So I fuss, and I generally get quite decent writing. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the Writing Center (http://dept.kent.edu/english/WritingCent/writngcenter.htm). Speaking of communication, the University obliges you to check your kent.edu e-mail (or whatever address may be used on Flashline). If I have messages to send to the whole class, e.g., to change an assignment, or keep in touch in an emergency, I will use those addresses.
My office hours are MWF 11 – 12 and TR 2:15 - 3:15 (Bowman 320H) and by appointment (330-672-0276; e-mail: jwattles@kent.edu).
This course may be used to satisfy a Kent Core requirement. The Kent Core as a whole is intended to broaden intellectual perspectives, foster ethical and humanitarian values, and prepare students for responsible citizenship and productive careers.
This course may be used to satisfy the University Diversity requirement. Diversity courses provide opportunities for students to learn about such matters as the history, culture, values and notable achievements of people other than those of their own national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, physical and mental ability, and social class. Diversity courses also provide opportunities to examine problems and issues that may arise from differences, and opportunities to learn how to deal constructively with them.
University policy 3342-3-01.8 deals with the problem of academic dishonesty, cheating, and plagiarism. None of these will be tolerated in this class. The sanctions provided in this policy will be used to deal with any violations. If you have any questions, please read the policy at http://www.kent.edu/policyreg/policydetails.cfm?customel_datapageid_1976529=2037779.
University policy 3342-3-01.3 requires that students with disabilities be provided reasonable accommodations to ensure their equal access to course content. If you have a documented disability and require accommodations, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester to make arrangements for necessary classroom adjustments. Please note, you must first verify your eligibility for these through Student Accessibility Services (contact 330-672-3391 or visit www.kent.edu/sas for more information on registration procedures).
University policy requires all students to be officially registered in each class they are attending. Students who are not officially registered for a course by published deadlines should not be attending classes and will not receive credit or a grade for the course. Each student must confirm enrollment by checking his/her class schedule (using Student Tools in FlashLine) prior to the deadline indicated. Registration errors must be corrected prior to the deadline.
The Philosophy Department Grievance Procedure for handling student grievances is in conformity with the Student Academic Complaint Policy and Procedures set down as University Policy 3342-4-16 in the University Policy Register. For information concerning the details of the grievance procedure, please see the Departmental Chairperson.
Schedule of activities
Week 1, January 10-13
T Introductions. Philosophy explores truth, beauty, and goodness. Fill out the requested information sheet. Make a list of the qualities of the best friends you have known. Begin making notes on your peak experiences or realizations or insights or beliefs about truth, beauty, and goodness.
R Read by class time (all such assignments are to be done before class) the first third of the web document on Aristotle: https://sites.google.com/a/kent.edu/jwattles/home/ethics/aristotles-nicomachean-ethics . In other words, read through the introductory portions (which overlap a bit) and through the material on Book I. There is no need to do the exercises, just read them and give them some thought. Stop when the notes begin on Book II. Keep making notes on your peak experiences (etc. as noted for Jan. 9) on truth, beauty, and goodness.
F Read in Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics Book I, chapters 7, 8, and 13, plus the glossary entry on ethics. Think about (1) how Aristotle’s concept of happiness differs from the popular concept today and (2) the concept in chapter 13 of what it means to be a human being—what we call Aristotle’s philosophical anthropology—and think of alternative conceptions. Aristotle’s conviction of truth on this question is a basis for his ethics. Today you receive the handout for Project 1 (also available on the ethics course website).
Week 2, January 17-20
T Close study of the 18 points summarizing the NE in the early part of the web notes.
R Read Book II and the accompanying web notes. Write a list of main points that will help you from Book II on the project and fill in gaps in Book II. You are expected to do journal entries at least three times a week on the experiences (including reflections) you have as you make project-related decisions and carry out the courses of action thus launched. This discipline keeps you active and alive (not procrastinating) and ready to write.
F Read the Book III web notes on chapters 1-9 plus the very important text chapters 6-9 on courage. Write down areas of courage in which you could grow and actions you could take to cultivate courage.
Week 3, January 24-27
T Read Book III, chs. 10-12 on self-mastery regarding pleasure. Read also the web notes for the end of Book III plus Book VII; the comments on pleasure in the introduction, p. xxi-xxii, and in the glossary. What is it like to be living at your best? Write down a one-page account (not to be handed in).
R Read the web document on Thomas Aquinas, whose different philosophical anthropology led to a different order of virtues: https://sites.google.com/a/kent.edu/jwattles/home/ethics/aquinas-on-love Write a one-page response, touching on virtue and faith and emphasizing love, illustrating from your experience some points where you agree with Thomas and re-writing some points where you disagree.
F Read Book V on justice, chs. 1, 6-7, and Book X ch. 9, plus the web notes on Book V.
Week 4, January 31 – February 3
T Read the web notes on Book IV on intellectual virtues plus the glossary entries on prudence and reason.
R On friendship read VIII.1-8 and IX.4 and 8. Write one page on your interpretation of the meaning of self-love. Prepare to explain how Aristotle argues that in laying down his life for his friends, the virtuous person is also choosing what is best for him- or herself.
F Study X.7-8 on divine contemplation, the glossary entry on study, and the web notes including the quotation from Aristotle’s Metaphysics. Write a page on different possible interpretations of that quotation.
Week 5, February 7 - 10
T Read ch. 2 in The Golden Rule and, on that basis, write a page on highlights in the process of growth in Confucian and Neo-Confucian philosophy. Pay special attention also to the references to Mencius.
R Read GR ch 4, “A Jewish Rule of Wisdom” with special attention to the last four pages.
F Quiz 1—30 multiple-choice questions plus an honor pledge to sign: “On my honor I have not given or received, nor will I give or receive, unpermitted aid on this quiz.”
Week 6, February 14 - 17
T Read GR ch 6, “A New Testament rule of divine love.”
R Read GR ch 8, “The golden rule of the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.” Write one page on what it would mean to put this concept of the rule into one’s life.
F Paper 1 due. Lecture on GR ch 9.
Week 7, February 21 - 24
T Sharing from the papers--don't miss this class! Read GR ch 9, “In the other person’s shoes” on psychology, and write a page on your experience of imagining yourself in another person’s situation.
R Read GR, ch 13
F. Read GR, ch 14
Week 8, February 28 – March 2
T and R Read the First Section of Kant’s Grounding of the Metaphysics of Morals (the first of the works included in our text, Kant’s Ethics. Read also the web notes on Kant through the First Section. Note that with the next book, the page numbers begin again from 1; I will refer to page 130 in Part II as II. 139.) Discussion continues on Thursday.
F Read Kant’s GMM, the Second Section, pp. 19-32
Week 9, March 6 - 9
T Discussion continues. Kant’s universalizability concept is a way of expressing the insight that our actions have meaning. They are not merely events that happen with no wider implications whatever. We tend to do the same type of action in the same type of situation.
R Read the Second Section of the GMM, pp. 32-37. Write a one page response: On what basis should we respect persons? Be sure to study footnote 37 on the golden rule.
F Read Kant’s Second Section 37-44 plus the web notes on Kant’s essays on history and politics (75% of the way down the document). Write one page explaining why you agree or disagree with the idea that our duties in practice depend on the level of civilization or evolution or maturity of the persons involved.
Week 10, March 13 - 16
T Read 44-48 on heteronomy—letting something from outside determine your action. Is God an alien?
R Read Section III, pp. 52-53; 54c, 55a and d. (I use the letters a-d to refer to quarters of a page.)
F Read now in the second part of the book, with page numbers beginning all over, pp. 154-55 on positive attitude, and #47 (138-39) on the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, plus, beginning on p. II. 85, ##7, 8, 11, and 12 on sex, overeating and drinking, and servility (pp. II 85-90 and 96-100).
Week 11, March 27 - 30
T Discussion continues. Read also #17, p. 106, on care for the beauties of nature and humane treatment of animals.
R Study ##23-30 and 34-35, and 37-39 (pp. II. 112-117, and so on). How can we cultivate moral feelings toward others?
F QUIZ 2 will review the first part of the course and mainly focus on Kant.
Week 12, April 3 - 6
T In Utilitarianism and other essays read pp. 65, 86-87, 140-44, and 275-76. Read also in the web notes on Utilitarianism the introduction and summary of chapter 1. See why Bentham’s utilitarianism might have caused a scandal among proper British subjects. Note Mill’s acknowledgement of the limits of our ability to prove our most basic affirmations—and how we can still support them.
R Read Utilitarianism, ch. II, pp. 276-82c plus selections from the web notes on Utilitarianism: the summary of the chapter two plus (about 40% of the way down the document), first four questions and answers , beginning with “What’s Mill’s primary statement of his theory?” and ending with (and including) “What is the difference between act utilitarianism and rule utilitarianism?”
F PAPER 2 due.
Week 13, April 10 - 13
T Sharing from the papers--don't miss this class!
R Read Utilitarianism, ch. II 282d-87 on our opportunity to contribute to the progress of civilization.
F Read Utilitarianism, ch. II, 287-95. How can we responsibly make exception to moral rules? Review the end of the Kant’ web notes, summarizing Purtill’s hierarchy of moral rules that may be overridden in specifiable circumstances. Does life require us to make compromises, putting a price on human life?
Week 14, April 17 - 20
T Read Utilitarianism, ch. II, conclusion, and ch. III, 303c-307a (+ web notes), on our social motivation to act for the good of the whole. Here Mill gives us a way to answer the person who claims that everything we do is basically selfish, since it’s what we want to do.
R Utilitarianism, ch. IV, the third paragraph in the chapter—and finish all the rest of the Mill web notes.
F Read Utilitarianism, ch. V, on justice, pp. 321d, 322c-d, 324a-25b, 326a-d, 327c, and 337c-d.
Week 15, April 24 - 27
T Study the objections and replies to utilitarianism on the web notes and write brief answers for each one giving a reason for siding with either the objection or the response.
R To be determined.
F Review.
Final examination 12:45 - 3:00, Thursday May 3. This will be a quiz like the last one, comprehensive, emphasizing what has been studied most recently. Notice the time and location of the final examination. This information is on the syllabus and the website and is available online: google “Kent State final examination schedule.” The student is responsible for this information; do not e-mail the instructor before the final quiz for this information.