PHIL 120W Introduction to Moral Philosophy
Fall Semester 2011| Evening |Surrey
INSTRUCTOR BILL BARTHELEMY
REQUIRED TEXT
- Ethical Theory: A concise Anthology, Geirsson & Holmgren, Eds (Broadview Press)
- Handouts
COURSE DESCRIPTION
We will begin the course with a critical inquiry into the meaning and justification of moral judgements. Questions to be considered include: What is ethical/moral relativism and to what extent, if any, is it true? Can God or religion provide the content and justification for our claims in morality? Then we will examine and evaluate several competing moral theories, viz., ethical egoism, contractarianism, utilitarianism, and deontological ethics. In our examination we will evaluate answers to at least some of the following questions: Why should I be moral? Are there any objective moral values? And if so, what are they? How do we determine what are our moral duties? How should wealth be distributed in society? We will consider the arguments of both historical (Plato, Hobbes, Mill, Kant, etc.) and contemporary (Rawls, Nozick, Singer, etc.) philosophers. Since this is a 鈥榃鈥� course (writing intensive), efforts will be made to help students develop their abilities to clearly express and defend their thoughts in writing. The content or subject matter of that writing will be ethics. But the skills developed can be applied in any area.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
- First essay 鈥� 500 words 15%
- Second essay plus one revision 鈥� 750 words 20%
- Third essay 鈥� 1500 words 25%
- 3-hour Final Exam 30%
- Tutorial Participation 10%
NOTE: Philosophy 120W has no prerequisites, and may be applied towards the
the W-requirement, and the Breadth/Humanities requirement.