PHIL-205 Ethics
Professor: Renzo Llorente, Ph.D.
Semester: Fall,Spring and First Summer Session
Credits: 3
Prerequisite: PHIL-105
I. Course Description:
This course undertakes a systematic analysis of the fundamental problems and issues involved in questioning whether and how moral discourse can be rationally grounded.
II Course Objectives:
To introduce students to a range of major ethical theories. To acquaint students with some of the central topics, themes and problems in moral philosophy. To enhance students’ ability to analyze, evaluate and resolve moral problems. To furnish students with the theoretical knowledge and conceptual tools that will enable them to undertake further study in moral philosophy.
III. Textbook:
Louis Pojman (ed.), Moral Philosophy: A Reader, 2nd edition, available at the campus bookstore.
IV. Course requirements:
Besides the regular reading assignments drawn from the Moral Philosophy anthology, the course requirements are as follows: two exams (a mid-term and final); one short paper (approximately 5-7 pages); and occasional in-class exercises (e.g., quizzes). Attendance is not mandatory; however, students should bear in mind that frequent absences will probably result in missed quizes and almost certainly have an adverse effect on their exam grades.
V. Grading:
The final course grade will be based on four partial scores: two exam grades, a grade for the paper, and one for in-class work. These four grades will be weighed as follows:
Mid-term exam = 25 %
Final exam = 30 %
Paper = 30 %
In-class work = 15 %
VI. Tentative Course Outline / Schedule
Introduction
Pojman: "General Introduction: What is Moral Philosophy?"
Benedict: "A Defense of Ethical Relativism"
Pojman: "A Defense of Ethical Objectivism"
Hobbes: "Egoism as the Beginning of Morality"
Rachels: "A Critique of Ethical Egoism"
Bentham: "Classical Hedonism"
Mill: "Utilitarianism"
Hospers: "Rule-Utilitarianism"
MID-TERM EXAM
Williams: "A Critique of Utilitarianism"
Kant: "The Foundations of Ethics"
Fel"An Examination of Kantian Ethics"
Aristotle: "Virtue Ethics"
PAPER DUE
Mayo "Virtue and the Moral Life"
Frankena: "A Critique of Virtue-Based Ethics"
No class (Spring Vacation / Easter)
No class (Spring Vacation / Easter)
Frankena: "A Critique of Virtue-Based Ethics"
Frankena: "A Reconciliation of Ethical Theories"
FINAL EXAM
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