PHIL 202: Contemporary Moral Problems

Timetable

Tue
Aug 25

Intro: General Introduction

Essential Philosophical Skills.

Thu
Aug 27

Intro: Ethics

Ethics: Theory & Practice.

Tue
Sep 1

Intro: Arguments

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
Play around in the Logic and Critical Thinking section of the Resources page.
Review Bad Argument Assignment instructions.

Thu
Sep 3

Abortion 1

The State of the Abortion Debate.
Dobbs v. Jackson (2022). (SCOTUS) – No need to read the whole thing, just the syllabus is ok.

Tue
Sep 8

Abortion 2

The famous Famous Violinist.
Judith Jarvis Thomson (1971). ‘A Defense of Abortion.’ Philosophy & Public Affairs 1(1): 47-66. (UD Library.)

Tue
Sep 8

Last Day of Free Drop / Add

Make sure you finalize any changes.

Thu
Sep 10

Abortion 3

Futures Like Ours.
Don Marquis (1989). ‘Why Abortion is Immoral.’ The Journal of Philosophy 86(4): 183-202. (UD Library.)

Tue
Sep 15
in class

Bad Argument Assignment

In-class group project.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.

Thu
Sep 17

Quiz 1 Preview

Think about the quiz and come with questions.

Thu
Sep 17, 6 – 7 pm
Biden Institute

Extra Credit Event: Free Speech Campus Conversation

To claim your extra credit, attend the event then post a comment, thought, or question about it in the corresponding Canvas discussion thread… Post before the thread closes the day after the conversation!
Dinner will be provided.
Registration required.

Fri
Sep 18, 4:15 pm
Gore 104

Extra Credit Event: Hanna Pickard
What Would You Do Alone in a Cage with Nothing but Cocaine?

To claim your extra credit, attend the event then post a comment, thought, or question about it in the corresponding Canvas discussion thread… Post before the thread closes the day after the talk!
Free food afterwards.
Event details.

Sun
Sep 20
11:55 pm

Quiz 1

Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.

Tue
Sep 22

Selection for Disability

Everworse Sequences.
Mark Greene & Steve Augello, ‘Everworse: What’s Wrong with Selecting for Disability?’ (On Canvas@UD.)

Thu
Sep 24

Human Enhancement

Human Enhancement.
Savulescu, J. ‘A Doping Manifesto’. Aeon Essays. (On the web.)

Tue
Sep 29

Review of Quiz 1

Any questions about that first quiz?

Thu
Oct 1

Sex: Communication & Consent

Though the focus is on positive aspects of intimate communication, this may not be for everyone. If you’d rather skip this one, no need for notice or excuses.
Before class, remind yourself of the note about Mandated Reporting on the Syllabus homepage.
Sex Talks.
Kukla, R. ‘Sex Talks’. Aeon Essays. (On the web.)

Sun
Oct 4
11:55 pm

Quiz 2

Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.

Tue
Oct 6

Environmental Ethics

The Moral Radar and the ‘Last Person’ Question.

Thu
Oct 8

Respect for Nature

Taylor on Respect for Nature.
Paul W Taylor (1981). ‘The Ethics of Respect for Nature.’ Environmental Ethics 3(3): 197-218. (On Canvas@UD.)

Tue
Oct 13

AI Ethics 1

AI vs. Old Farts.
Have a chat with AI about ethical issues with itself.

Thu
Oct 15

AI Ethics 2

TBA.
80,000 Hours Podcast #173. Jeff Sebo on Digital Minds. (On the web.)
The half hour highlights version is fine – scroll down for that.

Thu
Oct 15, 4 pm
Roselle Center, Gore Recital Hall

Extra Credit Event: Ned Block
Are AI Models Conscious?

To claim your extra credit, attend the event then post a comment, thought, or question about it in the corresponding Canvas discussion thread… Post before the thread closes the day after the talk!
Free food afterwards.
Event details.

Sun
Oct 18
11:55 pm

Quiz 3

Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.

Tue
Oct 20

Utilitarianism & Global Justice

Famine, Affluence, and Morality.
Singer, Peter. ‘Famine, Affluence, and Morality.’ (UD Library.)
Singer, Peter. ‘How to Give Away a Million Dollars.’ (On the web.)

Thu
Oct 22

Just War Theory

Just War Theory.
Alexander Moseley. ‘Just War Theory.’ Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (On the web.)

Tue
Oct 27

Torture

Torture, Morality, & Law.
Jeff McMahan (2006). ‘Torture, Morality, and Law.’ Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law. 37(2/3): 241-248. (UD Library)

Thu
Oct 29
in class

Explanation Assignment: ‘Torture, Morality, and Law.’ (Tuesday’s reading)

In ‘Torture, Morality, and Law’, Jeff McMahan defends the view that both killing and torture can be morally justifiable in war. Explain why, despite this, he thinks that the legality of killing in war should differ from the legality of torture in war.
In-class group project.
Word limit: 150 words – strictly enforced.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.

Sun
Nov 1
11:55 pm

Quiz 4

Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.

Tue
Nov 3

Election Day: No Class

Don’t forget to vote !

Thu
Nov 5

Voting Puzzles

What topics shall we cover the week before the break? (Come to class with suggestions and/or make nominations on the Canvas@UD discussion)
Voting Puzzles
Which Voting System is the Best? (YouTube.)
Is Democracy Impossible? (YouTube.)

Mon
Nov 9

Last Day to Change Registration or Withdraw

Deadline to change grading or to withdraw without academic penalty.

Tue
Nov 10

Private Government

Anderson on Private Government
Anderson, Elizabeth. ‘Liberty, Equality, and Private Government.’ Tanner Lectures 2015. (On Canvas@UD.)

Thu
Nov 12

Jury Duty and Perverse Verdicts

Jury Nullification
Bushel’s Case. (Wikipedia.)
Jury Nullification. (On the web.)

Sun
Nov 15
11:55 pm

Quiz 5

Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.

Tue
Nov 17

Student Choice: TBA

TBA

Thu
Nov 19

Student Choice: TBA

TBA

Tue
Dec 1

Heritability & Race

Heritability & Race.
Moore & Shenk (2017). ‘The Heritability Fallacy.’ Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. Cognitive Science, 8(1-2). (UD Library)

Thu
Dec 3
in class

Explanation of Why ‘High Heritability’ Does Not Imply ‘Inherited’

In-class group project.
Word limit: 300 words – strictly enforced.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.

Tue
Dec 8

Optional Review

Drop by if you have questions about Q6 or just want to chat.

Tue
Dec 8
11:55 pm

Quiz 6

Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.

Contemporary Moral Problems