Download Philosophy 102: Contemporary Moral Problems

Philosophy 102: Contemporary Moral Problems
Instructor: Asia Ferrin
[email protected]
Savery Hall 378
Office Hours: Tues & Thurs 1:30-2:30, & by appt
Class Description:
In this course, we will investigate a number of controversial moral issues from a philosophical perspective.
The goals of the course are three-fold: (1) to introduce students to the fundamentals of philosophical thinking,
(2) to familiarize students with several basic ethical theories, and (3) to engage students in critical reflection
about a number of contemporary moral problems, including (but not necessarily limited to) terrorism and civil
liberties, welfare and social justice, animal rights, and environmental ethics. Classes will consist of a mixture
of lectures, discussion, group work, and exercises.
Texts:
 Applying Ethics: A Text with Readings, 9th Edition, eds., Jeffrey Olen, Julie C. Van Camp, Vincent
Barry – Bring your book to class every day
 Additional required readings will be available electronically via catalyst.
Assignments and Grading:
1. Daily Reading Quizzes: There will be a five minute quiz at the beginning of each class where you
will be asked to write one paragraph on a specific question about the reading due that day. The
questions will mostly come from the “Questions for Analysis” that can be found at the end of each
reading in the textbook. Quizzes will be graded on a scale of + (4 pts),
(2 pts), or – (0 pts). We have
28 assigned readings, and there will be 28 quizzes, for a possible total of 112 points. There will be no
makeup for the quizzes. However, the quizzes will be graded out of 100 points, so you will not be
penalized harshly for missing a quiz or two, and completing every quiz gives you a chance for extra
credit. The aim of the quizzes is to measure your understanding of the readings and help guide our
critical reflection during class. You will need to bring a bluebook to log your quiz answers. (25%)
2. Skills exercises: Skills exercises provide students with an opportunity to practice the philosophical
skills we will be learning. There will be two to three skills exercises per week (excluding the last
week), for a total of 21 skills exercises. There will be no makeup for skills exercises. I will drop your
lowest skills exercise. Each skills exercise will be worth five points, for a total of 100 points. Skills
exercises will be graded on a scale of + (5 pts),
(3 pts), or – (1pt). Most skills exercises will be in
class, though several will be assigned as homework (25%)
3. Short Paper (3-4 pages): You will be required to write a paper that exhibits several of the key
philosophical skills that we will be practicing in class – namely making arguments and considering
objections and responses. We will discuss the writing guidelines and the rubric for the paper as the due
date draws closer. A rough draft will be due in Week 6 (5%) and the final draft will be due in week 8
(submitted via catalyst) (20%).
4. Final Exam: There will be a cumulative final exam in this course that will consist of fifty multiple
choice questions (two points each) about the course readings, lectures, and discussions. There will not
be a review sheet. If you keep up with the readings, attend class, and keep good notes, you will be
plenty prepared for the exam. The final will take place on Thursday, August 18. (25%)
Participation: Active engagement in the classroom is not only crucial to thinking philosophically but is also
an important guide to the instructor with respect to what issues students need to discuss further. Class
participation may positively affect your final grade. However, failure to participate in class discussion will not
directly adversely affect your final grade, unless assigned as a skills exercise.
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Reading Schedule
Week 1 – Overview of the Course Material: Moral Reasons and Good Arguments
Monday, June 20: Introduction to course
Tuesday, June 21: Moral reasons (up to “Principles of Social Morality,” pg 2-13)
Wednesday, June 22: Moral reasons continued (pg 13 – 22)
Thursday, June 23: Good reasoning and good arguments (up to “Examining Premises” pg 54 – 64)
Friday, June 24: Good reasoning/arguments continued (pg 64 – 73)
Week 2 – “What Makes an Action Morally Right?”
Monday, June 27: “Moral Virtue,” Aristotle (pg 23 - 33)
Tuesday, June 28: No reading assigned. “Moral Virtue” continued.
Wednesday, June 29:“Respect for Persons” Immanuel Kant.
And “Utilitarianism” John Stuart Mill (pg 34 – 45)
Thursday, June 30: No reading assigned. Kant and Mill continued.
Friday, July 1: “The Need for More than Justice” Annette Baier (pg 46 – 53)
Week 3 – Contemporary Moral Problems
Monday, July 4: University Holiday – No class
Tuesday, July 5: War, Terrorism, and Civil Liberties (pg 334 - 342)
Wednesday, July 6: “Violence, Terrorism, and Justice” R.G. Frey and Christopher W. Morris.
And “Make Torture an Option” Alan M. Dershowitz (pg 343 – 350)
Thursday, July 7: “Torture and the Ticking Bomb” David Luban
And “National Security State” David Cole
And Case Presentations (pg 351 -361)
Friday, July 8: Comparison of views
Week 4
Monday, July 11: Welfare and Social Justice (pg 362 – 372)
Tuesday, July 12: “What Libertarianism Is,” John Hospers (pg 372 – 380)
Wednesday, July 13: “The Right to Eat and the Duty to Work,” Trudy Govier (pg 381 – 389)
Thursday, July 14: “At the Edge of Poverty,” David Shipler and Wage Inequity (electronic copies)
Friday, July 15: “Choosing a Future” Charles Murray
And Case Presentations (pg 399 – 409)
Week 5
Monday, July 18: Comparison of Views: Welfare and Social Justice
Tuesday, July 19: “Women and Work: A Capabilities Approach,” Martha Nussbaum (catalyst)
Wednesday, July 20: No reading assigned. Kevin Bales TED Talk: “How to combat modern slavery” (in class)
Thursday, July 21: “Famine, Affluence, and Morality,” Peter Singer (catalyst)
Friday, July 22: No reading assigned. How to Write a Philosophy Paper Paper Prompts Distributed
Week 6
Monday, July 25: Singer continued… and Comparison of views
Tuesday, July 26: “Animal Rights & Environmental Ethics” &“All Animals are Equal,” Singer (pg 452 – 476)
Wednesday, July 27: “The Case for Animal Rights, Tom Regan (pg 477 – 485)
Thursday, July 28: Class cancelled. No reading assigned. Film at the Varsity Theater at 7pm
Friday, July 29: No reading assigned. Rough draft for short paper due in class
Week 7
Monday, August 1: “The Case for Animal Rights,” Tom Regan continued (pg 477 – 485)
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Tuesday, August 2: “Do Animals Have Rights?” Tibor R. Machan (catalyst)
Wednesday, August 3: “Speciesism and the Idea of Equality,” Bonnie Steinbock (catalyst)
Thursday, August 4: “This American Life” video on factory farming (in class)
Friday, August 5: No reading assigned. Comparison of Views Rough drafts returned
Week 8
Monday, August 8: No reading assigned Short paper due on catalyst by noon. (Practice Exam Questions)
Tuesday, August 9: “The Land Ethic,” Aldo Leopold (catalyst) (choose “students’ choice”)
Wednesday, August 10: “The Ethics of Respect for Nature,” Paul W. Taylor (pg. 485 – 496)
Thursday, August 11: “People or Penguins” William F. Baxter and Case Presentations: (pg. 497 – 505)
Friday, August 12: No class
Week 9
Monday, August 15: No reading assigned. Course review. Course evaluations.
Tuesday, August 16: Students’ choice
Wednesday, August 17: Students’ choice (Start Final Exam: 20 minutes)
Thursday, August 18: – Final Exam in class
Friday, August 19: – No reading assigned. Wrap up/discussion
Note: All information on this syllabus is provisional and is subject to revision at the instructor’s discretion.
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