Home: For Philosophy 205, sections 5 & 15; Prof. Steen
Introduction:
In this course we will look at various ethical theories and see how they answer the following kinds of questions. What ought we to do, and why? What makes right actions right? What is the highest good? Are some ethical and moral principles objective, or are all principles based upon mere subjective judgments or cultural norms? What is more important in evaluating the correctness of an action—its consequences or intent? What are virtues, and what does it mean to be virtuous?
The main goals for the course are to help students…
Familiarize themselves with, and understand, some of the major ethical theories in the Western tradition.
Evaluate moral theories via critically examining the arguments for and against them.
Develop and defend their own ethical views, and be able to engage in reasonable and open-minded discourse about them, and the views of others.
Understand the nature and importance of moral virtue and civic responsibility.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
Note: all readings are to be done by the date they are next to. Also, all pages refer to those in the Rachels text, The Elements of Moral Philosophy, 6th Edition, unless otherwise indicated. All homework must be completed by the start of class time! No late homework will be accepted.
Tu, 8/30 - Intro, go over syllabus
Cultural Relativism
Th, Sep 1:
Reading: Syllabus, pages 1-21
Homework: See Blackboard/SLU Global two days before class.
Cultural Relativism concluded, Subjectivism start
Tu, Sep 6:
Reading: 22-36
Homework: See Blackboard/SLU Global two days before class.
Subjectivism concluded, Psychological Egoism
Th, Sep 8
Reading: pages 36-48, 62-69
Homework: See Blackboard/SLU Global two days before class.
Egoism
Tu, Sep 13
Reading: 69-80
Homework:See Blackboard/SLU Global two days before class.
Social Contract Theory
Th, Sep 15
Reading: pages 80-87
Homework: Prisoner's Dilemma exercise, INSERT LINK
Social Contract Theory
Tu, Sep 20
Reading: pages 87-96, handout
Homework:See Blackboard/SLU Global two days before class.
Utilitarianism
Th, Sep 22
Reading: pages 97-108, handout
Homework: Take the Moral Sense Test online. Write 1 - 2 pages (typed, double-spaced) on your reactions to the test, and try to determine what it is testing. Turn in on Blackboard.
Tu, Sep 27
Reading: Peter Singer, "Famine, Affluence, and Morality"
Homework: Watch "Miniature Earth". Write 1-2 pages on this question: "Does a relatively affluent person with disposable income have a duty to donate to charity for things like famine relief? Why or why not?" (Do not get hung up on the question of charities where the money does not go to those in need. Assume, in this case, that money can be gotten to those in need). Turn in on Blackboard.
Th, Sep 29
Reading: pages 109-123
Homework: No homework
Tu, Oct 4: EXAM 1
Deontology/Kantianism
Th, Oct 6
Reading: 124-135, handout
Homework: See Blackboard/SLU Global two days before class.
Tu, Oct 11
Reading: 136-145
Homework: Why is slavery (putting aside the question of justified penal servitude) wrong? Why would Kant think it is wrong? (1-2 pages). Turn in on Blackboard.
Intuitionism
Tu, Oct 18
Reading: Ross, "What Makes Right Acts Right?" (File available on Blackboard/SLU Global.)
Homework: Why is slavery (putting aside the question of justified penal servitude) wrong? Why would Kant think it is wrong? (1-2 pages). Turn in on Blackboard. [because of a scheduling screw-up, you can turn it in on this day as well].
Feminism and the Ethics of Care
Th, Oct 20
Reading: 146-158
Homework: See Blackboard/SLU Global two days before class.
Tu, Oct 25 - Fall Break, no class
Virtue Ethics
Th, Oct 27
Reading: pp158-168
Homework: See Blackboard/SLU Global two days before class.
- Study Guide for Exam 2 posted here
Tu, Nov 1
Reading: 168-173, excerpts from Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics on courage. (on Blackboard/SLU Global)
Homework: See Blackboard/SLU Global two days before class.
Th, Nov 3: EXAM 2
Abortion
Tu, Nov 8
Reading: Mary Anne Warren - “On the Moral and Legal Status of Abortion”
Homework: See Blackboard/SLU Global two days before class.
Th, Nov 10
Reading: Judith Jarvis Thomson - “A Defense of Abortion”, 1st half
Homework: See Blackboard/SLU Global
Tu, Nov 15
Reading: finish Thomson
Homework: See Blackboard/SLU Global
Th, Nov 17
Reading: Jim Stone, "The Morality of Abortion" and the reply by Glover.
Homework: See Blackboard/SLU Global
Tu, Nov 22
Reading: Rosalind Hursthouse, "Virtue Ethics and Abortion" (on Blackboard/SLU Global)
Homework: See Blackboard/SLU Global
Th, Nov 24 - THANKSGIVING - NO CLASS
Distributive Justice
Tu, Nov 29
Reading: none, class exercise
Homework: See Blackboard/SLU Global
Deadline for drafts of your term papers, if you choose to do this rather than Exam 3. This is the latest date by which I can guarantee that I have time to read a draft and get you feedback. This is recommended, but not required.
Th, Dec 1
Reading: Rawls, "A Liberal Theory of Justice" (on Blackboard/SLU Global)
Homework: See Blackboard/SLU Global
- Study Guide for Exam 3 posted here
Tu, Dec 6
Reading: Nozick, "A Libertarian Theory of Justice" (on Blackboard/SLU Global)
Homework: See Blackboard/SLU Global
Th, Dec 8
Exam 3
Term Papers (if you choose to do that instead of exam 3) are due, at the latest, by Dec 9th, 4:59pm, slid under my door at 237 Adorjan.