Play around in the Logic and Critical Thinking section of the Resources page.
The Peanut Butter Argument.
Thu Sep 4
The Survival Lottery
Harris’s modest proposal.
Harris, John (1975). “The Survival Lottery.” Philosophy 50(191): 81-87. (UD Library)
Tue Sep 9 9:20 am
Abstract of ‘The Survival Lottery’
In-class group project.
Word limit: 150 words – strictly enforced.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Tue Sep 9
Last Day of Free Drop / Add
Make sure you finalize any changes.
Thu Sep 11
How Bad Is It to Let People Die?
Famine, Affluence, and Morality.
Singer, Peter (1972). “Famine, affluence, and morality.” Philosophy and Public Affairs 1(3): 229-243. (UD Library.)
Singer, Peter . ‘How to Give Away a Million Dollars.’ (On the web.)
Tue Sep 16 9:20 am
Bad Argument Assignment
In-class group project.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Thu Sep 18
Euthanasia & the Moral Distinction Between Killing & Letting Die
Active & Passive Euthanasia.
James Rachels (1975). “Active and Passive Euthanasia.” New England Journal of Medicine 292: 78-80. (UD Library.)
The AMA has updated its view since Rachels’ paper. Check out its current opinions on withholding or withdrawing treatment, assisted suicide, and (active) euthanasia. (On the web.)
Optional (for a fuller review of the DDE): McIntyre, Alison (2018). “Doctrine of Double Effect.” The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (On the web.)
Tue Sep 30
Legal Problems With Letting Die
The Dax Cowart Story.
The Karen Anne Quinlan Case.
The Nancy Cruzan Case (reading the Syllabus only is fine).
Baby Doe Laws.
Thu Oct 2
Wrongful Life
Wrongful Life
Shiffrin, Seana. (1999). “Wrongful Life, Procreative Responsibility, and the Significance of Harm.” Legal Theory 5(2): 117-148. (UD Library.)
Tue Oct 7
Negative & Positive Duties
Trammell on Positive & Negative Duties
Trammell, Richard L. (1975). “Saving Life and Taking Life.” The Journal of Philosophy 72(5): 131-137. (UD Library.)
Thu Oct 9
Distinguishing Doing & Allowing
Bennett on Doing and Allowing.
Bennett, Jonathan (1993). “Negation and Abstention: Two Theories of Allowing.” Ethics 104(1): 75-96. (UD Library.)
Tue Oct 14
Critique of Doing / Allowing Distinctions
Rights and the Doctrine of Doing and Allowing
Draper, Kai (2005). “Rights and the Doctrine of Doing and Allowing.” Philosophy & Public Affairs 33(3): 253-280. Read Intro and Part I – pp.253-268. (UD Library – if download broken, check Canvas@UD.)
Handy list of cases from the paper
Thu Oct 16
A Rights Approach
Rights and the Doctrine of Doing and Allowing
Draper, Kai (2005). “Rights and the Doctrine of Doing and Allowing.” Philosophy & Public Affairs 33(3): 253-280. Read Part 2 – pp.268-280. (UD Library- if download broken, check Canvas@UD.)
Handy list of cases from the paper
Fri Oct 17, 4 pm Gore 103
Extra Credit Event: Death and the Meaning of Life
To claim your extra credit, attend the event then post a comment, thought, or question about it in the corresponding Canvas discussion thread – Before the thread closes the day after the talk!
Free food afterwards!
Event details.
Tue Oct 21
The Trolley Problem
Thomson, Judith Jarvis (2008). “Turning the Trolley.” Philosophy & Public Affairs 36(4): 359-374. (UD Library.)
Handy list of principles and cases from the paper.
A alternative approach to the Trolley Problem.
And just in case you ever find yourself in a trolley problem.
Thu Oct 23
Paper Writing
The joys and perils of philosophical writing.
Tue Oct 28
Favorite Trolley Problems
Scour your brain, your friends’ brains, the internet for some trolley problems. Pick a favorite and come prepared to expalin it and why it is a favorite.
Thu Oct 30
Empirical Trolleyology
Psychology and Trolleyology
Fiery Cushman and Liane Young (2009). “The Psychology of Dilemmas and the Philosophy of Morality.” Ethical Theory & Moral Practice 12:1: pp. 9-24. (UD Library.)
Tue Nov 4
Review
Frances Howard-Snyder (2011). “Doing vs. Allowing Harm.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (On the web.) Read the first four sections. At least skim the rest in case there’s anything relevant to your project.
Thu Nov 6
Mutual aid & comfort
This is the speed-dating version of your presentations. Come prepared (1) to give a focused overview of where you are in your / your group's project; and (A) to give thoughtful feedback on what others are working on. If you judge that it would be more productive to use the time to advance your project in some other way (e.g. if you are coauthoring and class is one of the few times you can all meet), feel free to do so. Just make sure you are not just procrastinating or dodging challenging feedback - it's best to get that early and often.
Fri Nov 7 11:55 pm
Proposal
Word guidance: approx. 300 words.
Optional: you may work in groups of up to 3 on any or all stages of your final project.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Mon Nov 10
Last Day to Withdraw or Change Registration
Deadline to change grading or to withdraw without academic penalty.
Tue Nov 11
Presentations
See Canvas@UD for schedule.
Thu Nov 13
Presentations
See Canvas@UD for schedule.
Tue Nov 18
Presentations
See Canvas@UD for schedule.
Thu Nov 20
Presentations
See Canvas@UD for schedule.
Fri Nov 21 Events All Day
Extra Credit Event: American Philosophical Association Anniversary
To claim your extra credit, attend at least one of the events, then post a comment, thought, or question about it in the corresponding Canvas discussion thread – Before the thread closes the day after the talk!
Pre-registration recommended, especially if you want lunch!
Event details.
Extra extra credit if you give one of the 5-minute lightning philosophy talks. Prior signup required – see event details.
Fri Nov 21 11:55 pm
Abstract & Paper: First Version
Submit abstract and editorial in one document.
Word guidance: up to around 2000 words – plus 150 for abstract.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Tue Dec 2
Individual Discussion of Papers
No regular class
Check Canvas@UD for your time.
Use Office Hours Zoom room. (See Canvas@UD.)
Thu Dec 4
Individual Discussion of Papers
No regular class.
Check Canvas@UD for your time.
Use Office Hours Zoom room. (See Canvas@UD.)
Tue Dec 9
Optional Discussion of Projects
Come along if you want to chat about your final version.
Tue Dec 9 11:55 pm
Abstract & Paper: Final version
Submit abstract and editorial in one document.
Word guidance: up to around 2000 words – plus 150 for abstract.