INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS: MORAL PROBLEMS
PHI 2600 SPRING 2017
Instructor: Dr. Elizabeth Scarbrough
Email: escarbro@fiu.edu
Course Description:
This class is a brief introduction to moral theory and applied ethics. We will pair historical readings with contemporary insights into those reading. The first part of the course will focus on three big moral theories: Utilitarianism, Kantianism, and Virtue Ethics. These theories present accounts of what makes an action right or wrong, what makes a person virtuous or vicious, and what role an ethical theory should play in a good life. Some of the applied ethical topics discussed will include: whether we have an obligation to follow the law, our obligations to global famine relief, abortion, animal rights, and pornography.
Important info at a glance:
Required Text:
Cahn, Steven M., ed. Exploring Ethics: An Introductory Anthology, 4th Ed (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2017). (Online resources including flashcards and practice quizzes can be found here.)
Assignments:
Attendance and Participation:15%
Writing Assignments: 50% (Practice paper 15%, Project plan 15%, Final paper 20%)
Quizzes: 15% (6 scheduled quizzes, 2 pop quizzes)
Final Exam: 15% (cumulative, during finals week)
Draft Revisions: 5% (in-class: Feb 28th, April 18th)
Tentative Lesson Plan
Date / Topic | Assignment Due |
Tues, Jan 10
Introduction |
No assignment: personal introductions and syllabus overview |
Thurs, Jan 12
Introduction |
Tom Regan, “How Not To Answer Moral Questions” (Cahn) |
Tues, Jan 17
Obligation to Follow the Law? |
William Frankena, “Morality and Moral Philosophy” (Cahn)
Plato, Crito (Cahn) *Practice quiz |
Thurs, Jan 19
Obligation to Follow the Law? |
Martin Luther King, Jr. “Letter from Birmingham Jail” (Cahn) |
Tues, Jan 24
Obligation to Follow the Law? |
Stokely Carmichael / Kwame Ture, “Black Power”
(listen to some of it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFFWTsUqEaY)
We will watch some of his other speeches in class |
Thurs, Jan 27*
Cultural Relativism |
James Rachels, “The Challenge of Cultural Relativism” (Cahn)
*First quiz |
Tues, Jan 31
Utilitarianism |
John Stuart Mill, “Utilitarianism” (Cahn) |
Thurs, Feb 2
Utilitarianism |
Louis P. Pojman “Strengths and Weaknesses of Utilitarianism” (Cahn) |
Tues, Feb 7*
Utilitarianism – Applied |
Peter Singer, “Famine, Affluence, and Morality” (Cahn)
*Second quiz |
Thurs, Feb 9
Deontology |
Immanuel Kant, “The Categorical Imperative” (Cahn) |
Tues ,Feb 14
Deontology Nature |
Onora O’Neill “A Simplified Account of Kant’s Ethics” (Cahn) |
Thurs, Feb 16*
Deontology – Applied |
Onora O’Neill “Kantian Approaches to Some Famine Problems” (PDF)
*Third quiz |
Tues, Feb 21
Papers/ Aristotle |
Working on Papers / Aristotle |
Thurs, Feb 23
Aristotle |
Aristotle, “The Nature of Virtue” (Cahn) Julia Driver, “Virtue Ethics (Cahn)
|
Tues, Feb 28*
PRACTICE PAPER DUE |
PAPERS DUE ON “TURN-IT-IN” and IN CLASS. YOU MUST BRING A COPY TO CLASS FOR OUR DRAFT REVIEW |
Thurs, March 2
Abortion |
Rosalind Hursthouse, “Virtue Theory and Abortion” (Cahn) |
Tues, March 7
Abortion |
Don Marquis, “Why Abortion is Immoral” (Cahn) |
Thurs, March 9*
Abortion |
Judith Jarvis Thomson, “A Defense of Abortion” (Cahn)
*Fourth quiz |
Date | Assignment Due |
Tues, March 14
|
SPRING BREAK: NO CLASS |
Thurs, March 16
|
SPRING BREAK: NO CLASS |
Tues, March 21*
Animal Rights |
David Foster Wallace, “Consider The Lobster” (PDF)
|
Thurs, March 23
Animal Rights |
Peter Singer, “On Animals” (PDF) |
Tues ,March 28
Animal Rights |
Tom Regan, “The Case for Animal Rights” (Cahn) |
Thurs, March 30*
Animal Rights |
Animal Rights catch up. *Fifth quiz (on the past two animal rights articles) |
Tues, April 4
Pornography |
Helen E. Longino, “Pornography, Oppression, and Freedom” (Cahn) *Project plan due |
Thurs, April 6
Pornography |
Joel Feinberg, “The Case Against Pornography” (Cahn) |
Tues, April 11
Pornography |
Nicholas Power, “Cheap Thrills: A Call for More Pornography” (PDF) |
Thurs, April 13* ESSAY DRAFT |
Nancy Bauer “Pornutopia” PDF
*Sixth quiz |
Tues, April 18
Pornography |
BRING ESSAYS DRAFTS TO CLASS FOR PRACTICE
|
Thurs, April 20
Final Day |
Susan Wolf, “Moral Saints” (Cahn) |
Monday, April 24 | FINAL PAPERS DUE @ 6:00 pm |
FINAL EXAM | U13: Tuesday 4/25: 12-2pm Graham Center 287A
U11: Tuesday 4/25: 2:15-4:15 DM 193 U12: Thursday 4/27: 9:45-11:45 Graham Center 278B |
[2] Documented illnesses/emergencies do not include car trouble, work schedules, or family trips/vacations.