PHIL 305 Contemporary Moral Issues

Course Description

The focus of this course will be to develop and practice critical thinking skills within the framework of examining several contemporary moral issues. We will begin with a few fundamental techniques of critical thinking and an overview of the major ethical theories. Then, using these techniques and theories, we will address several moral controversies, namely, abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, same-sex marriage, and animal rights. Students must be willing to critically examine their own beliefs with the overarching goal of developing and holding only well-reasoned and well-informed moral opinions.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students successfully completing this course will

1. Understand the main ethical theories (cultural relativism, subjectivism, divine command theory, egoism, utilitarianism, Kantian ethics, theory of justice, natural and duty-based rights theories, and virtue ethics) including arguments for and against them and their strengths and weaknesses.
2. Know how to apply ethical theories to address moral issues.
3. Recognize appeals to ethical theories in defense of moral positions.
4. Distinguish relevant from non-relevant moral and non-moral facts.
5. Understand the use of thought experiments, arguments and objections in discussions of ethics.
6. Summarize and evaluate arguments.
7. Defend a moral position.
8. Contribute to public understanding of a moral issue.
9. Critically and objectively discuss moral issues.
10. Form well-reasoned and well-informed moral opinions.

Texts

Boss, Analyzing Moral Issues, 3rd ed (required)

Rachels, The Elements of Moral Philosophy, 9th ed. (required)