PHIL313: Killing & Letting Die

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	Mark Greene © 2005-2011

aims timetable assessment policies

Class texts
- Required readings available via Sakai@UD
All classes in Purnell 238, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 12:15pm
Deadlines are highlighted - for details see assessment
Click for slideshows of the class presentations - click for printable versions
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NB: Timetable subject to change as class progresses - check back frequently

Timetable of Classes
Feb 7	General Introduction Essential philosophical skills
Feb 9	Philosophy Arguments: good, bad and ugly
Feb 13	Assignment Complete the checklist.
Feb 14	The Survival Lottery 1 Reading Harris, John (1975). "The Survival Lottery." Philosophy 50(191): 81-87.
Feb 16	Group Assignment: Write an abstract of "The Survival Lottery", John Harris. In-Class Group Assignment Groups are assigned and the assignment is completed in class. Submit in class via Sakai@UD, or by handing in a legible paper version. One submission per group is acceptable. The submitted document should state the group number and the names of all authors who actually contributed. It is the responsiblity of every group member to ensure that all participants are credited and that the submission goes through (make sure you see the confirmation page). If you are not in class, you will need to make an on-time, individual submission. Before class Please think about how to make an effective contribution to a group project. Review the relevant instructions for the assignment on the assessment page. Refresh your memory of relevant sources. Do any additional background research that might help with the project. Come prepared to contribute. Peer evaluations Please take note of each group member's contribution and be ready to submit online peer evaluations as requested.
Feb 16 11:55pm	Deadline Submit in-class abstract 1: "The Survival Lottery", John Harris. Max 150 words.
Feb 21	How bad is it to let people die? Reading Singer, Peter (1972). "Famine, affluence, and morality." Philosophy and Public Affairs 1(3): 229-243.
Feb 23	Bad Argument Assignment: Hunt for bad argumets in the wild and bring a candidate or two to class. In-Class Group Assignment Groups are assigned and the assignment is completed in class. Submit in class via Sakai@UD, or by handing in a legible paper version. One submission per group is acceptable. The submitted document should state the group number and the names of all authors who actually contributed. It is the responsiblity of every group member to ensure that all participants are credited and that the submission goes through (make sure you see the confirmation page). If you are not in class, you will need to make an on-time, individual submission. Before class Please think about how to make an effective contribution to a group project. Review the relevant instructions for the assignment on the assessment page. Refresh your memory of relevant sources. Do any additional background research that might help with the project. Come prepared to contribute. Peer evaluations Please take note of each group member's contribution and be ready to submit online peer evaluations as requested.
Feb 26 11:55pm	Deadline Submit in-class, Bad Argument Assignment.
Feb 28	Active & passive euthanasia Reading Rachels, James (1975). "Active and Passive Euthanasia." New England Journal of Medicine 292: 78-80. (Reprinted in Steinbock, Bonnie and Norcross, Alastair, Eds. (1994). Killing and Letting Die. New York, NY, Fordham University Press.)
Mar 1	Ordinary & extraordinary means of saving Reading Sullivan, Thomas D (1977). "Active and Passive Euthanasia: An Impertinent Distinction?" Human Life Review 3(3): 40. (Reprinted in Steinbock, Bonnie and Norcross, Alastair, Eds. (1994). Killing and Letting Die. New York, NY, Fordham University Press.)
Mar 6	Runaway Trolleys Reading Thomson, Judith Jarvis (2008). "Turning the Trolley." Philosophy & Public Affairs 36(4): 359-374.
Mar 8	Negative and Positive Duties Reading Trammell, Richard L. (1975). "Saving Life and Taking Life." The Journal of Philosophy 72(5): 131-137.
Mar 12 11:55pm	Deadline Abstract 2: Negation and Abstention, Jonathan Bennett. Not a group project - individual submissions only. Max 150 Words.
Mar 13	Distinguishing doing and allowing Reading Bennett, Jonathan (1993). "Negation and Abstention: Two Theories of Allowing." Ethics 104(1): 75-96.
Mar 15	More on the distinction between doing & allowing Reading McMahan, Jeff (1993). "Killing, Letting Die, and Withdrawing Aid." Ethics 103(2): 250-279. ** Read only to the end of the 'Problem Cases' section - i.e. read from p.250 to the top of p.268
Mar 20	Review & critique of doing / allowing distinctions Reading Draper, Kai (2005). "Rights and the Doctrine of Doing and Allowing." Philosophy & Public Affairs 33(3): 253-280. Intro and Part I - pp.253-268.
Mar 22 5am	Deadline Abstract 3: Rights and the Doctrine of Doing and Allowing-Part II. I.e. write your abstract only on the rights-based alternative to the doctrine of doing and allowing. Not a group project - individual submissions only. Max 150 words
Mar 22	A distinction based on rights Reading Draper, Kai (2005). "Rights and the Doctrine of Doing and Allowing." Philosophy & Public Affairs 33(3): 253-280. Part II - pp.268-280.
Apr 3	Review
Apr 5	Paper writing:
Apr 10	Consequentialists v. Absolutists Reading Bennett, Jonathan (1966). "Whatever the Consequences." Analysis 26(3): 83-102.
Apr 12	Absolutists v. Consequentialists Reading Murphy, Jeffrie G. (1973). "The Killing of the Innocent." The Monist 57(4): 527-550. Read only 'Is Killing the Innocent Absolutely Immoral?' section: p.539-end.
Apr 17	Target Selection Group Work Form groups of 2 or 3 to work on the same target argument for the Focused Exegesis Assignment See the assignment details for for guidance on where this is heading.
Apr 19	Target Refinement Group Work Continue group work on the Focused Exegesis and Preliminary Abstract assignment.
Apr 23 5am	Deadline: Submit focused exegesis of your target argument. 1000 word max. Around 500 words is typical but this is quite variable depending of the complexity of the target argument. If you are going much over 500 words, consider refocusing. All group members should submit identical exegesis, listing all authors. Submit a preliminary abstract stating the point you plan to make in response to your target. 150 word max. You may work indiviudally or in groups of 2 or 3 on your final paper. If you plan to collaborate on your final paper... All group members should submit an identical abstract, listing all authors.
Apr 24	Presentations Ali E, Justin K, Joseph S Brian C, Laura S David M & Kendall P
Apr 26	Presentations Matthew S & Alex P Mark B Alex L Andrew Moore Zachary S
May 1	Presentations Megan A & Diana S Anthony C Matt Q Brian G, Aerlyne C David S
May 3	No class: Mark in Georgetown
May 7 5am	Deadline: Submit first version of paper & updated abstract in one document. 2000 word max (150 for abstract). NB! Don't forget to follow paper submission requirement. If you are collaborating in a group All group members should submit an identical document, listing all authors.
May 8	Presentations Scott W Caroline B Greg B Brittany B
May 10	Individual discussion of papers No regular class. Check meeting timetable for your time.
May 15	Review: Optional Attend if you have last minute questions about your paper.
May 17 5am	Deadline: Submit final paper & updated abstract in one document 3000 word max (150 for abstract). NB! Don't forget to follow paper submission requirements. If you are collaborating in a group All group members should submit an identical document, listing all authors.