PHI 105: Introduction to Ethics

SYLLABUS:

• PHI 105 INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS -- Available the next time this class is taught

PRESENTATION SCHEDULE:

• PHI 105, SPRING 20XX - MWF 10:00 - 10:50 a.m. (Sect. #) -- Available the next time this class is taught

COURSE NOTES:

• Lecture 1: Introduction to Philosophy, Ethics, and Morality

• Lecture 2: Ethical Relativism: What it is, and Objections Thereagainst

PAPER ASSIGNMENTS (and ABBREVIATION GUIDE FOR GRADING):

• First Paper Assignment -- Available when Dr. Y announces in class.

• Second Paper Assignment -- Available when Dr. Y announces in class.

• Third Paper Assignment -- Available when Dr. Y announces in class.

• Grading Legend -- Explanations for the abbreviations on your graded papers

ADVICE ON WRITING PAPERS:

• Dr. Y's Checklist for Philosophy Papers

• Writing Philosophy 105 Papers

• Dr. Y's Good Paper Sample

• Dr. Y's Bad Paper Sample

• Dr. Y's Grammar Corner

• Dr. Y's Example of a Poor Introduction to your Paper (and why it is poor)

• FIX: How to cite pages and columns in your papers

PRESENTATION GUIDELINES AND EXAMPLES:

• General Guidelines on the Elements of a Presentation for PHI 105

• PHI 105, 1st Example of Presentation: Plato I

• PHI 105, 2nd Example of Presentation: Plato II

ARTICLE SUMMARY GUIDELINES:

• PHI 105 Article Summary Guidelines

OPTIONAL COURSE MATERIAL (Only Look at and/or Print This Stuff If You're Interested in It):

• Why Philosophy is Valuable, Getting a Career in Philosophy, Philosophy Major Salaries, and otherwise Intelligent People Who Bash (or Have Bashed) Philosophy and/or Philosophers

• Dr. Y's "The Importance of Philosophy: Why does philosophy matter? Why bother with it?"

• Dr. Y's List of Fallacies -- A whole bunch of fallacies: Don't commit these and point them out when others do!

• Metaethics/Normative Ethics Diagram (Thumbnail sketch of different major ways of approaching ethics)

• Ethical Relativism: Objections to Individual and Cultural Relativism

• Some Objections against Nihilism 

• Optional Plato Material

• Optional Aristotle Material

• Immanuel Kant: On a Supposed Right to Lie from Altruistic Motives wherein Kant says do not lie to a murderer at the door

• Act Utilitarianism versus Rule Utilitarianism -- Definitions and some examples of each ethical theory

• The Pros and Cons of Kant's and Mill's Ethical Theories

• Supplemental Material for Karl Marx's Ethics

• Optional Extra Credit Assignment Available when Dr. Y announces in class.