Ethical Inquiry -- Spring Semester, 2005
Metropolitan State University
|
Date |
Topic(s) |
Reading
assignment |
Class Discussion Project |
|
|
|
|
If you miss class, complete the discussion project on your own and turn it in next time. |
|
Jan.
11 |
Introductory
Session |
|
Identifying Ethical Questions |
|
Jan.
18 |
Reason,
Relativism, Subjectivism, and Religion |
Rachels,
Chapters 1-4 |
Discussion Project on Chapters 1-4; Cases for Discussion |
|
Jan.
25 |
Egoism
and feeding the hungry |
Rachels,
Chapters 5-6; articles by Singer and Hardin, Applied Ethics, pp.
358-380 |
Discussion Project on Egoism; |
|
Feb.
1 |
Utilitarianism:
the basic idea and the example of Euthanasia |
Rachels,
Chapter 7; articles by Rachels and Pellegrino, Applied Ethics,
pp.166-183. |
Discussion Project on simple utilitarianism |
|
Feb.
8 |
Utilitarianism:
refinements |
Rachels,
Chapter 8, selection from Mill in Applied Ethics, pp.10-21 |
Discussion Project on Mill's utilitarianism; Position Paper Assignment |
|
Feb.
15 |
Kant
and Hunger (again) |
Rachels,
Chapter 9; Kant and Van Wyk in Applied Ethics, pp. 22-33 and
381-390 |
Discussion Project on Kant's theory; Possible questions for first exam |
|
Feb.
22 |
Kant
and Punishment |
Rachels,
Chapter 10; Kant and Primoratz. in |
Discussion Project on Capital Punishment (We just did part I ) |
|
March
1 |
The
Death Penalty |
Intro
to chapter and articles by Bedau, Van den Haag
and Amsterdam, Applied Ethics, pp. 238-283; Exam 1 |
Discussion Project on Capital Punishment ( part II) |
|
March
8 |
Social
Contract Theory |
Rachels,
Chapter 11; Rawls in Applied Ethics, pp.38-44; |
Discussion Project: Castaways |
|
March
15 |
Spring
Break |
No
Class |
|
|
March
22 |
Economic
Justice |
Hospers
and Govier in Applied Ethics, pp. 311-341; Handouts; Paper
drafts due |
Discussion Project: Choosing Rules; Handout on free markets |
|
March
29 |
Abortion |
Intro
to chapter and articles by Warren (2) and Marquis in Applied Ethics,
pp. 71-110 |
Discussion Project: Analyzing Abortion Essays |
|
April
5 |
Feminist
Ethics |
Rachels
Chapter 12; Sherwin, Mackenzie and Wolf-Devine in Applied Ethics,
pp. 59-69, 120-133, 145-155 |
|
|
April
12 |
Virtue
Theory |
Rachels,
Chapter 13, Foot in Applied Ethics, pp. 50-58 |
Discussion Project: Virtues and Particularism |
|
April
19 |
Ethics of sex |
Soble, “Philosophy of Sexuality,” (esp.
sections 6-16) online here;
Gastil, in
Applied Ethics pp.
569-579; Reread Rachels, pp. 44-47 and 53-57; (Optional) Levin, in Applied
Ethics pp. 665-674
Position
Papers due |
|
|
April
26 |
Final
exam and wrap up |
Exam
2 |