Ethical Inquiry -- Fall Semester, 2011
Metropolitan State University
First Position Paper Assignment
Second Position Paper Assignment Due date postponed to November 14
Third Position Paper (Due December 5)
Paper writing guides:
Publisher's websites for our textbooks (with quizzes you can take and self-score)
http://www.oup.com/us/companion.websites/9780199773558/?view=usa
http://www.oup.com/us/companion.websites/9780199773527/?view=usa
Office Hours: (These have changed since the syllabus was handed out):
Monday, 4:30-7:00 (Mdwy lower level common area)
Tuesday, 3:30-5:30 (Mdwy lower level common area)
Wednesday, 10:00-3:00 (in my office)
And by appointment
The schedule of assignments handed out on the first day of class is tentative check here for updates.
Date |
Topic |
Reading Assignment |
Discussion Projects and Handouts |
Aug. 22 |
Introductory Session |
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Discussion: In small groups, try to agree on three actions you think are definitely wrong. |
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The Good Life |
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Aug.. 29 |
Happiness |
FOE-Introduction and Chapters 1 and 2; EL-Selections 1, 2, 3, and 4. |
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Sept. 5 |
Labor Day – No class |
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Sept. 12 |
Getting what we want or objective goods |
FOE-Chapters 3 and 4; EL-Selections 5 and 6 |
Discussion project: In small groups try to agree on which is the best of the three theories we have studied about the nature of a good life -- hedonism, desire-satisfaction theory or an objective list theory (like Jean Kazez's) |
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Theories of Normative Ethics |
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Sept. 19 |
Religion and Natural Law |
FOE-Chapters 5 and 6; EL-Selections 7, 8 and 23 |
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Sept. 26 |
Egoism (Psychological and Ethical) |
FOE-Chapters 7 and 8; EL Selections 9 and 22; First Position Paper due (assignment here) |
Cases for Discussion; Discussion Project on Egoism |
Oct. 3 |
Consequentialism |
FOE-Chapters 9 and 10; EL-Selections 10, 25, and 26 |
Discussion Project on simple utilitarianism |
Oct. 10 |
Kantianism |
FOE-Chapters 11 and 12; EL-Selections 11 and 24 |
Discussion Project on Kant; |
Oct. 17 |
Social Contract Theory |
FOE-Chapters 13 and 14; EL-Selections 12 and 37 |
Discussion Project: Castaways |
Oct. 24 |
Pluralism and Particularism |
FOE-Chapters 15 and 16; EL-Selections13, 27 and 28 |
Discussion Project: Pluralism and Particularism |
Oct. 31 |
Virtue Theory |
FOE-Chapter 17; EL-Selections 14 and 31 |
Discussion Project: Virtues and vices; Chart of Virtues and Vices |
Nov. 7 |
Feminism |
FOE-Chapter 18; EL-Selection 15; 2nd paper may be turned in, if you choose. (assignment here) |
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Metaethics - The nature of moral judgments and values |
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Nov. 14 |
Relativism |
FOE-Chapter 19; EL-Selection 19 (Gensler); 2nd paper due (assignment here) |
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Nov. 21 |
Nihilism |
FOE-Chapter 20; EL-Selections 16, 17, and 18 (Hume, Ayer, Mackie) |
Discussion Project: Metaethics |
Nov. 28 |
Objectivity defended |
FOE-Chapter 21; EL-Selections 20 and 21(Smith, Bambrough) |
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Dec. 5 |
To Be Determined |
3rd paper due (assignment here) |
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