Play around in the Logic and Critical Thinking section of the Resources page.
Review Bad Argument Assignment instructions.
The Peanut Butter Argument.
Thu Sep 3
Mind the Gaps! Methods in Philosophical Ethics
Methods.
SEP: Reflective Equilibrium. (On the web.)
Tue Sep 8
Ethical ‘Isms
Some ethical ‘isms.
SEP: Moral Skepticism. (On the web.)
Tue Sep 8
Last Day of Free Drop / Add
Make sure you finalize any changes.
Thu Sep 10
The Gods
Religion & Ethics.
Euthryphro’s Dilemma.
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.
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.
Ask ChatGPT or similar to explain the veil of ignorance in Rawls’ ‘Theory of Justice’. See what it says and engage it in a bit of conversation on the idea and what follows from it. (On the web.)
Thu Oct 8
Rights & Principles
Rights.
Principles.
SEP: Theory and Bioethics – Section 4 only.
Tue Oct 6
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.).
Thu Oct 8
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.).
Tue Oct 13
Voting Puzzles
Voting Puzzles
Which Voting System is the Best? (YouTube.)
Is Democracy Impossible? (YouTube.)
Thu Oct 15
Maximizing Utility
Which to Maximize?
Derek Parfit (1984). Selections from ‘Reasons and Persons.’ (On Canvas@UD.)
Sun Oct 18 11:55 pm
Quiz 3
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.
Tue Oct 20
The Nonidentity Problem
The Nonidentity Problem.
The Philosopher’s Arms: Future People. (On the web.)
Thu Oct 22
The Trolley Problem
Trolley Problems.
The Philosopher’s Arms: Trolleyology. (On the web.)
Tue Oct 27
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.)
Tue Nov 1 11:55 pm
Quiz 4
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.
Sun Nov 15 11:55 pm
Quiz 5
Details on ‘Assessment’ page.
Complete on Canvas@UD.
Thu Dec 3
Free Will & Responsibility
Free Will.
The Philosopher’s Arms: Free Will. (On the web.)
Tue Dec 1
Student Choice: TBA
TBA
Thu Dec 1
Student Choice: TBA
TBA
Tue Dec 8
Optional Review
Drop by if you have questions about Q6 or just want to chat.