Download Ethics (on Campus)

Philosophy 202
Ethics On Campus Course
Brenda Larsen, Professor
TEXT:
Fall 2004
Office: Aspen 155
Phone: 732-6841
[email protected]
Vice and Virtue in Everyday Life by Christina Sommers and Fred Sommers
Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1997.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Ethics is an examination of moral problems and study of the concepts, principles, and
theories used to clarify them. This course will include readings in both classical and
modern ethical theory, with emphasis on personal and contemporary applications.
This historical-topical survey of ethics covers mostly Western moral ideas, with selective attention
to other cultures (e.g. Chinese family-values; the plight of African women.) The most important
ethical theories of Western civilization are discussed, including the following: Greek (with
emphasis on Aristotle’s theory of virtuous character); biblical (including Hebrew and Christian
concepts of divine command); Kant’s theory of absolute duty, and the utilitarian principle of the
greatest happiness for the greatest number. Students discover that ethical ideas may be understood
from many perspectives: objectively, as products of historical, cultural and religious forces or as
reflections of human nature and psychology, as related to logic, law and literature, as applying to
political and social events, and subjectively, as personally held attitudes.
OBJECTIVES:
Students will
 develop their awareness of the pervasiveness of ethical choice, and the often intractable
nature of moral conflict.
 examine important theories of moral conduct and character and analyze their similarities
and differences, especially as they generate conflicting moral judgments in their
application.
 acquire conceptual tools and strategies for understanding moral problems.
 understand both the logical and the creative processes involved in ethical problem solving.
 become sensitive to both the moral obligations they have to themselves and to others and
the naturalness of conflict.
 appreciate not only the diversity of moral perspectives but also the recurring principles in
moral thinking
 become alert to their own moral task: to discover, create and identify the values which
distinguish them as autonomous and thoughtful beings.
METHODS:
The instructor will spend some of each class period in lecture, providing necessary background for
understanding the literature. Students are encouraged to offer their own interpretations of the reading and
its applications to their own understanding and experience. As well as learning from the instructor,
students learn from the variety of voices they encounter in the textbook; they learn from each other in
class discussion, and from their own struggle to achieve moral clarity. Students will likely experience
both pleasure and frustration in this process. The reading is intended to provide background theory and
some “grist” for discussion, but historical and current events, as well as the student’s own experiences are
welcome material for discussion.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
Students are required
 to read four to six short essays from the anthology textbook every week.
 to write a short essay every other week.
This essay will be in connection with a major topic (listed below) on a subtopic of their
choice.
 to submit a take-home final consisting of six essay questions.
 to attend class and participate in discussions, with no more than four unexcused absences.
EVALUATION:
Eighty percent of the grade will be based on written work, 20% on attendance and participation.
8 short essays = 60%, participation & attendance = 20%, final essays = 20%
A = 90-100%, B = 80-89%, C = 70-79%, D = 60-69%, F + below 60
TOPICS:
1. Good and Evil
2. Moral Doctrines and Moral Theories
3. Is it all Relative?
4. Virtue
5. Vice
6. Morality and Self-Interest
7. Character, dignity and Self-Respect
8. Moral Education
9. Morality and the Family
10. Morality and Society
Plagiarism Policy: Plagiarism may result in failure of this course.