Phil 3: Ethics
Dr. Les WRIGHT Office: 617 928 7314 Mount Ida College
Office: ATC 240 Email: lwright@mountida.edu Spring 2005
PH 301 A
Ethics
(3 credits)
Course Description
This course surveys traditional and contemporary ethical theory and relates moral philosophy to life in the world today. It will provide the student with the skills for analyzing ethical issues and making sound moral judgments and decisions.
Prerequisite: Junior Standing and EN 102
Required Texts
The Elements of Moral Philosophy (4th edition), J. Rachels ISBN 0072476907
A Dictionary of Common Philosophical Terms, G. Pence , ISBN 0072829311
The Right Thing to Do (3rd edition), J. Rachels ISBN 0072476915
Teaching Procedures
Class sessions will include background lectures, in-class discussion of texts, group debates, and an occasional video screening. Discussions and written work will require the student have a thorough familiarity with the assigned readings. Through reading, writing, and oral debate the student will be required to synthesize material in new ways through her or his written work.
Instructional Objectives
To introduce the student to the tradition of moral philosophy and the variety and a sample range of moral and ethical issues, to respond with sound argumentation to ethical questions orally and in writing, and to an increased awareness of the social, ethical, cultural, and historical values which have significantly contributed to creating the society we live in today; To increase the student’s ability to communicate clearly and effectively, to access relevant information, to work independently and in a group, and to instill leadership skills, such as initiative, risk-taking, and independent decision-making, through involvement with the course; To bring the student to infer, deduce, extrapolate, and draw complex connections between the student’s world, contemporary society, the broader cultural and historical context, and the realm of humanities scholarship.
Grading and Attendance
Student grades will be based on the following:
- four position papers of 3-5 pages in length (i.e., 1000-1500 words or more) (40%),
- two written exams (open-book take-home format) (30%),
- one instrument covering the breadth of the course (research paper or final exam) (20%),
- regular attendance and active participation in class (10%).
A total of two absences are permitted A total of six absences, for any reason, may result in a final grade of F for the course. Failure to complete the final instrument will result in an automatic F for the course.
There are numerous support facilities at Mount Ida, including a tutoring program and student-initiated meetings with the instructor. When all avenue shave been exhausted, students unable to maintain minimum academic performance will be encouraged to withdraw from the course.
Dr. Les WRIGHT Office: 617 928 7314 Mount Ida College
Office: ATC 240 Email: lwright@mountida.edu Spring 2005
PH 301 A SYLLABUS
| WEEK | MONDAY | WEDNESDAY | FRIDAY |
| 1 | Introduction (What Is Morality? EMP 1) | Introduction to Moral Philosophy (RTD 1) | |
| 2 | Basic Points about Arguments
(RTD 2) |
Challenge of Cultural Relativism (EMP 2) | discussion/debate |
| 3 | Elements of Moral Philosophy
Subjectivism in Ethics (EMP 3) |
Theory
Cultural Relativism (RTD 3) |
Topic discussion/debate |
| 4 | Religion (EMP 4) | Topic discussion/debate | Topic discussion/debate |
| 5 | Psychological Egoism (EMP 5) | Virtues, Aristotle
(RTD 4) |
Topic discussion/debate |
| 6 | Ethical Egoism (EMP 6) | Topic discussion/debate | Topic discussion/debate |
| 7 | Utilitarianism
(EMP 7) |
Natural Law, Aquinas
(RTD 5) |
Topic discussion/debate |
| 8 | Utilitarianism 2
(EMP |
Topic discussion/debate | Topic discussion/debate |
| 9 | Absolute rules?
(EMP 9) |
Sentiment, Hume
(RTD 7) |
Topic discussion/debate |
| 10 | Kant (EMP 10) | Topic discussion/debate | Topic discussion/debate |
| 11 | Social Contract
(EMP 10) |
Utilitarianism, Mills
(RTD |
Topic discussion/debate |
| 12 | Feminism & Ethics of Care (EMP 12) | Topic discussion/debate | Topic discussion/debate |
| 13 | Ethics of Virtue
(EMP 13) |
Categorical Imperative, Kant
(RTD 9) |
Topic discussion/debate |
| 14 | Moral Theory?
(EMP 14) |
Topic discussion/debate | Topic discussion/debate |
| 15 | Idea of a Female Ethic, Grinshaw (RTD 10) | RESEARCH PAPER DUE:
MONDAY, MAY 16, 2005 |
RTD = The Right Thing to Do
EMP = Elements of Moral Philosophy
discussion/debate topics taken from RTD and hand-outs on topical issues
