Play around in the Logic and Critical Thinking section of the Resources page.
Review Bad Argument Assignment instructions.
Thu Sep 3
Mind the Gaps! Methods in Philosophical Ethics
Methods.
St John, Jeremy. ‘Problems with Theory, Problems with Practice’. South African Journal of Philosophy (26.2): 204-215. (UD Library.) The ‘Consensus’ section is optional.
Tue Sep 8
Ethical ‘Isms
Some Ethical ‘Isms.
‘Moral Realism Explained and Debated’. Philosophy Vibe. (YouTube.)
Tue Sep 8
Last Day of Free Drop / Add
Make sure you finalize any changes.
Thu Sep 10
The Gods
Religion & Ethics.
Livingstone, Joe. ‘The Euthyphro Dilemma & Divine Command Theory’. (On the web.)
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.
Sun Sep 20 11:55 pm
Quiz 1
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.
Tue Sep 22
Consequentialism
Consequentialism.
Peter Singer on Equal Consideration of Interests – from Practical Ethics. (Canvas@UD.)
Thu Sep 24
Review of Quiz 1
Any questions about that first quiz?
Tue Sep 29
Kantian Ethics
Kantian Ethics.
Onora O’Neill, ‘Kantian Ethics’. (Canvas@UD.)
Thu Oct 1
Virtue Ethics
Oxford in WWII.
Anscombe, G. E. M. (1958). “Modern Moral Philosophy.” Philosophy 33(124): 1-19. (UD Library.)
Sun Oct 4 11:55 pm
Quiz 2
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.
Tue Oct 6
Social Contract Theory
Rawls’ Theory of Justice.
Freeman, Samuel. “Original Position”. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (On the web.) Only the introductory paragraph plus sections 2 (Original Position) and 3 (Veil of Ignorance) are required.
Thu Oct 8
Rights
Rights.
Feinberg, Joel (1970). “The Nature and Value of Rights”. The Journal of Value Inquiry 4(4): 243-260. (UD Library.)
Tue Oct 13
Principles
Principles.
Flynn, Jennifer. “Theory and Bioethics”. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (On the web.) Section 4 only.
Thu Oct 15 in class
Robin Hood Explanation
Suppose Robin Hood defends taxing the rich to give to the poor on the grounds that the poor will gain more wellbeing than the rich will lose. Don’t worry about whether this is true or not. Explain why this does not imply that Robin Hood is a consequentialist.
Word limit: 150 words – strictly enforced.
In-class group project.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Sun Oct 18 11:55 pm
Quiz 3
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.
Tue Oct 20
Review of Ethical Theories
Ethics in Theory and Practice
What do you consider good? What limits, if any, would you place on permissible ways to promote the good?
Thu Oct 22
Rationality, Uncertainty, & Expected Utility
The von Neumann Morgenstern axioms.
Briggs, Rachael A (2019). ‘Expected Utility.’ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Sections 1&2. (On the web.).
Tue Oct 27
Irrationality, Uncertainty, & Expected Utility
Is it irrational to violate the vNM axioms?
Briggs, Rachael A (2019). ‘Expected Utility.’ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Sections 3&4. (On the web.).
Thu Oct 29
Voting Puzzles
Voting Puzzles
Which Voting System is the Best? (YouTube.)
Is Democracy Impossible? (YouTube.)
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
Maximizing Utility
Which to Maximize?
Derek Parfit (1984). Selections from ‘Reasons and Persons.’ (On Canvas@UD.)
What shall we talk about before the break? (Come to class with suggestions, and/or nominate a topic on the Canvas@UD discussion.)
Mon Nov 9
Last Day to Change Registration or Withdraw
Deadline to change grading or to withdraw without academic penalty.
Tue Nov 10
The Nonidentity Problem
The Nonidentity Problem.
The Philosopher’s Arms: Future People. (On the web.)
Thu Nov 12
Personal Identity
Does Personal Identity Matter?
Greene, Mark (2013). “Saving a Life but Losing the Patient.” Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics 34(6): 479-498. (On Canvas@UD.)
Sun Nov 15 11:55 pm
Quiz 5
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.
Tue Nov 17
The Trolley Problem
Trolley Problems.
The Philosopher’s Arms: Trolleyology. (On the web.)
Thu Nov 19
Student Choice: TBA
TBA
Tue Dec 1
Free Will & Responsibility
Free Will.
The Philosopher’s Arms: Free Will. (On the web.)
Thu Dec 3 in class
Explain the Nonidentity Problem
Your ten-year-old, Throckmorton, doesn’t understand why his best friend gets to go to Hawaii when he doesn’t. You explain that his friend’s parents waited until they were established in their careers before having a kid. That’s why they can afford to vacation in Hawaii. Throck complains bitterly that you should have waited too, so that you could afford to give your kid proper vacations. Explain to Throck how his complaint runs into the nonidentity problem.
Word Limit: 250 words – strictly enforced.
In-class group project.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Tue Dec 8
Optional Review
Drop by if you have questions about Q6 or just want to chat.