Play around in the Logic and Critical Thinking section of the Resources page.
Thu Sep 7
The Survival Lottery
Harris’s modest proposal.
Harris, John (1975). “The Survival Lottery.” Philosophy 50(191): 81-87. (UD Library)
Tue Sep 12 9:20 am
Abstract of ‘The Survival Lottery’
In-class group project. (Groups randomly assigned.)
Word limit: 150 words – strictly enforced.
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Thu Sep 14
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 19 9:20 am
Bad Argument Assignment
In-class group project. (Groups randomly assigned.)
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Thu Sep 21
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.)
The Nancy Cruzan Case (reading the Syllabus only is fine).
Baby Doe Laws.
Tue Oct 3
The Doctrine of Double Effect
The Doctrine of Double Effect.
The Doctrine of Double Effect. (Wikipedia.)
Optional (for a fuller review of the DDE): McIntyre, Alison (2018). “Doctrine of Double Effect.” The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (On the web.)
Wed Oct 4 11:55 pm
Abstract of ‘Turning the Trolley’ (tomorrow’s reading)
No late submissions accepted.
Individual submission required – though you are welcome to get each other’s feedback and editorial suggestions.
Word limit: 150 words – strictly enforced.
Details on Assessment page.
Thu Oct 5
Runaway Trolleys
Thomson, Judith Jarvis (2008). “Turning the Trolley.” Philosophy & Public Affairs 36(4): 359-374. (UD Library.)
Tue Oct 10
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 12
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 17
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 19
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.)
To claim credit, attend the talk and post a comment on the corresponding Canvas discussion.
Tue Oct 24
Paper Writing
The joys and perils of philosophical writing.
Thu Oct 26
Empirical 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 Oct 31
Review
Frances Howard-Snyder (2011). “Doing vs. Allowing Harm.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (On the web.)
Thu Nov 2
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 3 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.
Tue Nov 7
Presentations
See Canvas@UD for schedule.
Thu Nov 9
Presentations
See Canvas@UD for schedule.
Tue Nov 14
Presentations
See Canvas@UD for schedule.
Thu Nov 16
Presentations
See Canvas@UD for schedule.
Fri Nov 17 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 Nov 28
Individual Discussion of Papers
No regular class
Check Canvas@UD for your time.
Use Office Hours Zoom room. (See Canvas@UD.)
Thu Nov 30
Individual Discussion of Papers
No regular class.
Check Canvas@UD for your time.
Use Office Hours Zoom room. (See Canvas@UD.)
Tue Dec 5
Optional Discussion of Projects
Come along if you want to chat about your final version.
Thu Dec 7
Optional Discussion of Projects
Come along if you want to chat about your final version.
Thu Dec 7 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.