PHIL 203: Ethics

Timetable

Tue
Aug 25

Intro: General Introduction

Essential Philosophical Skills.

Thu
Aug 27

Intro: Ethics

Ethics in Theory and 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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Tue
Dec 8
11:55 pm

Quiz 6

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

Ethics