Embedded Files
Preface: Are There Scientific Answers?
Preface: Are There Scientific Answers?
We all have our own personal definitions of evil, as well as our own beliefs about what it means to be a good, moral person. One of the biggest challenges in this course will be setting aside some of those personal beliefs with an open mind to think about evil from an objective, scientific perspective.
The following video is a great introduction to the tension between personal beliefs and scientific reasoning, and makes a compelling case for the place of science in addressing deeply human questions about good and evil.
WATCH: Science Can Answer Moral Questions (Harris, 2010)
Do not take notes on this video, I'm not going to quiz you on the details, but be prepared to discuss some of the main arguments that Harris offers.
Come Prepared to Discuss...
Come Prepared to Discuss...
How would you summarize Harris' overall point to another person?
Do you agree? Why or why not?
About This Resource
About This Resource
As you will see, each unit is broken down into subsections that have a list of learning objective questions and the resources you will need. My goal for you is to help you prepare yourself to provide clear, accurate answers to those questions.
This website is public and open to anyone that is interested, though some resources that are free to students may not be accessible without a fee. Nonetheless, I hope you'll explore the content and consider joining a course for the full experience.
As a student enrolled in my course, you will submit a pre-class "worksheet" that covers all of the information you need to learn from the required reading and watching. These are low-stakes quizzes that are designed to give you feedback on what you have mastered and what you still have questions on. My five-step process for an "A" in this course...
Look at the learning objective questions and think about what they are asking? What details will you need to be able to provide to offer a complete answer?
Read, watch, and take notes as you go that will help you answer those learning objective questions.
Quiz yourself by attempting to answer the worksheet questions without your notes. The goal is to know the answers, not find them just to answer the quiz question.
Check your answers, refer back to the resources if necessary, clarify your notes, and then click submit.
Ask questions on anything that you don't understand -- remember I'm not trying to trick you, and if I can clarify something for you, I will.
At the end of each unit you will see a list of additional learning objective questions that we will address during our class meeting or in interactive presentations. All together, the complete list of learning objectives represents everything you need to know in this course, and I promise never to ask you a quiz, clicker, or exam question that is not covered by the stated objectives.
About the Interactive Presentations
About the Interactive Presentations
You will not simply be watching a video of a recorded lecture. To make your experience as similar as possible to how I would do this in a classroom, there are quiz and poll questions through each presentation that you have to answer before you can continue on. See the syllabus section for more details about how the presentation is set up as a graded assignment.
How Do YOU Define Evil?
How Do YOU Define Evil?
Before you begin the coursework, consider to yourself how you define evil. Is there a difference between an evil action and an evil person? Can evil ever be justified, or even necessary? What has influenced your personal definition and beliefs about good and evil?
Interested in Learning More?
Interested in Learning More?
Although outside of the scope for a psychology course, many students have broader thoughts and questions about evil in a philosophical and religious context. This video provides a brief overview of the philosophical challenge that the existence of evil presents and some of the ways that one might attempt to rationalize its existence.
Google Sites
Report abuse