PHIL 465: Value Theory

Timetable

Tue
Sep 1

Intro: General Introduction

Hi! I’m Mark and this is how I think about philosophy.

Value theory in ethics and other endeavors.

Thu
Sep 3

Intro: Framing the Issue

Choices between worlds.

Mark Schroeder, ‘Value Theory’, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (On the web.)

Tue
Sep 8

Who & What Matters?

What value do species have?

Greene, Mark, ‘On the Origin of Species Notions’ (Canvas@UD)

Thu
Sep 10
9:15 am

Abstract of ‘On the Origin of Species Notions’

In-class group project. (Groups randomly assigned.)

Word limit: 150 words – strictly enforced.

Details on ‘Assessment’ page.

Tue
Sep 15

Aggregating Value: Pricing Life

Tim Harford (2020). ‘The Spreadsheet of Life and Death.’ Cautionary Tales Podcast. (On the web.)

Thu
Sep 17

Aggregating Value: Total? Average? Something Else?

Derek Parfit (1984). Selections from ‘Reasons and Persons.’ (See Canvas@UD.)

Tue
Sep 22

Bad Argument Assignment

In-class group project. (Groups randomly assigned.)

Details on ‘Assessment’ page.

Thu
Sep 24

Are We Crazy?

Hume. ‘Treatise of Human Nature’ Book II, Part III, Section III. (On the web.)

Dan Ariely on 10 Irrational Human Behaviors. (On the web.)

Dan Ariely TED: Are We In Control of Our Own Decisions?

Tue
Sep 29

Must Rational Agents Maximize Expected Utility?

The von Neumann Morgenstern axioms.

Briggs, Rachael A (2019). ‘Expected Utility.’ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (On the web.)

Thu
Oct 1

Are the nNM Axioms Rationally Required?

For and against the vNM axioms.

Tue
Oct 6

Future Value: The Nonidentity Problem

Roberts, M. A., “The Nonidentity Problem”, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (On the web.)

Weds
Oct 7
11:55 pm

Explain the Nonidentity Problem to a Fifth Grader

Individual submission required – though you are welcome to get each other’s feedback and editorial suggestions.

Word limit: 300 words – strictly enforced.

Details on ‘Assessment’ page.

Thu
Oct 8

Impersonal vs. Person Affecting Views

Everworse Sequences

Mark Greene & Steve Augello, ‘Everworse: What’s wrong with selecting for disability?’ (On Canvas@UD.)

Tue
Oct 13

Axiological Actualism (Say What?)

Josh Parsons (2002). ‘Axiological Actualism.’ (UD Library.)

Thu
Oct 15

Axiological Actualism: The Neutrality Intuition

John Broome (2005). ‘Should We Value Population?’ (UD Library.)

Tue
Oct 20

Axiological Actualism: In Defense of Merely Possible People

Caspar Hare (2007). ‘Voices From Another World.’ (UD Library.)

Thu
Oct 22

Well, Mark. What Do You Make Of All This?

Metaphysical risks.

Mark Greene. ‘The Metaphysical Risks of Germline Gene Editing.’ (On Canvas@UD.)

Tue
Oct 27

Discussion with Caspar Hare

Very special guest star, Caspar Hare, will be Zooming in to discuss his ‘Voices’ paper and actualism in general.

Thu
Oct 29

Social Choice

Kenneth Arrow’s voting conundrum.

Mathematical Dangers of Democratic Voting. (YouTube.)

Tue
Nov 3

ELECTION DAY: NO CLASS

Thu
Nov 5

Paper Writing

The joys and perils of philosophical writing.

Fri
Nov 6
11:55 pm

Proposal

Word guidance: approx 500 words – plus 150 for abstract.

Optional: you may work with one other person on any or all stages of your final project.

Details on ‘Assessment’ page.

Tue
Nov 10

More Perplexing Puzzles

Lewd vs. Prude; past vs. future & self vs. other; the preference for happy endings; preferring other people; the problem of adaptive preferences; infinite worlds; is there a god’s eye view?

Thu
Nov 12

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.

Tue
Nov 17

Presentations

See Canvas@UD for schedule.

Thu
Nov 19

Presentations

See Canvas@UD for schedule.

Tue
Dec 1

Presentations

See Canvas@UD for schedule.

Thu
Dec 3

Optional Discussion of Projects

Come along if you want to chat about your first version.

Use Office Hours Zoom room: Details on Canvas.

Fri
Dec 4
11:55 pm

Abstract & Paper: First Version

Submit abstract and editorial in one document.

Max 3000 words (approx) – plus 150 for abstract.

Details on ‘Assessment’ page.

Tue
Dec 8

Individual Discussion of Papers

No regular class!

Check Canvas@UD for your time.

Thu
Dec 10

Individual Discussion of Papers

No regular class!

Check Canvas@UD for your time.

Mon
Dec 14
11:55 pm

Abstract & Paper: Final version

Submit abstract and editorial in one document.

Max 3000 words (approx) – plus 150 for abstract.

Details on ‘Assessment’ page.