Prof. Ashley U. Vaught Email:
prof.vaught@gmail.com
West Regional Center 136 Office:
WRC 135C
Course Description
In this course we will examine several basic ethical
theories in relation to a host of abiding ethical issues. We will be reading
the major texts of virtue ethics, deontology, and utilitarianism. In concert, we will be discussing euthanasia, body
dysmorphia, friendship, human rights, and other issues.
Student Learning
Outcomes
Upon completion of this course students will be able to:
• Explain the basic philosophical problems that
shape ethical discourse;
• Analyze a philosophical text for key concepts
and/or arguments; and
• Critique an ethical argument orally and in
writing.
Course Requirements
1) Reading: you
must do 15-40 pages of reading each week.
Philosophical books and essays can be difficult to read and understand,
requiring much more concentration and attention than the newspaper or a novel. Taking notes while reading is recommended.
2) Attendance
and participation: attendance is mandatory and will be recorded. More than two absences (excused or
otherwise) will negatively affect your final grade. Although the course shall generally assume a lecture format,
you are expected to participate by asking questions during the lecture or
contributing to discussion if a question is raised.
3) Argument
outlines, essays and examinations: you must write one argument outline and two
essays (3 pages); one examination will be given. Students will select a
conclusion in consultation with the professor for the argument outline. For
each essay assignment, students are free to choose from several topics. The final examination will be
cumulative.
Grade Composition
25% Weekly Reading Quizzes (3 multiple choice
questions)
15% Argument outline (on blog)
15% Blog comments
10% First essay (3 pages)
15% Second essay (3 pages)
15% Final examination (multiple choice)
5% Attendance/participation
Required Texts
Aristotle. Nicomachean Ethics. Translated by
Terence Irwin. 2nd ed. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Co, 1985. ISBN: 9780872204645.
Immanuel Kant, Grounding
for the Metaphysics of Morals, trans. James Ellington. Indianapolis: Hackett
Publishing Co., 1993. ISBN: 0872201678)
J.S. Mill. Utilitarianism.
Edited by George Sher. 2nd ed. Hackett Publishing Co., 2002. ISBN: 087220605X.
(available as PDFs on Canvas)
Lawrence A. Blum, “Personal Relationships”
Ann Davis, “Contemporary Deontology”
Alan
Donagan, “Respect for Persons”
Phillipa Foot, “Morality as a
System of Hypothetical Imperatives”
Margaret Olivia Little, “Abortion”
Robert Louden, “On Some Vices of Virtue Ethics”
Bernard
Mayo, “Virtue and Moral Theory”
Gerald
McKenny, “Enhancements and the Ethical Significance of Vulnerability”
Thomas
Nagel, “War and Massacre”
Alastair
Norcross, “Killing and Letting Die”
James
Rachels, “Active and Passive Euthanasia”
Peter Singer, “Utilitarianism and Vegetarianism”
Singer,
“Equality and its Implications”
Patricia
Smith, “Bad Samaritans, Acts and Omissions”
Jeremy
Waldron, “Property Rights and Welfare Distribution”
Course Blog:
http://phi221spr13.blogspot.com
Violations of Academic Integrity
All students are expected to know
what constitutes a violation
of academic integrity, which is found in the Undergraduate Student
Handbook.
Schedule of classes
January 15
|
Introduction to the course;
making arguments
|
22
|
Aristotle, Nicomachean
Ethics, Books I:1-2,4-5,8-9,12, II:1-4,6-9; Mayo, “Virtue and Moral Theory”
|
29
|
Nicomachean Ethics, Books III:5-12, VII:1-10; McKenny, “Enhancements and Ethical
Significance of Vulnerability”
|
February 5
|
Nicomachean Ethics,
Bks. VIII:11-14, X:1-5;
|
12
|
Nicomachean Ethics,
Books VIII:1-8,12-13, IX:3-4,8-9; Lawrence
Blum, “Personal Relationships”
|
19
|
Nicomachean Ethics, Books V; Waldron,
“Property Rights and Welfare Distribution”; First essay assigned
|
26
|
Smith, “Bad Samaritans, Acts
and Omissions”; Louden, “On Some Vices
of Virtue Ethics”
|
March 5
|
Spring Break—Class cancelled
|
12
|
Kant, Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, Preface, First Section;
Davis, “Contemporary Deontology”; Margaret
Olivia Little, “Abortion”; First essay due
|
19
|
Grounding …, Second Section; Davis,
“Contemporary Deontology”
|
26
|
Grounding …, Second Section; Norcross,
“Killing and Letting Die”
|
April 2
|
Grounding, “On the Supposed Right to Lie”; Foot, “Morality as a System of Hypothetical Imperatives”; Second essay assigned
|
9
|
Mill, Utilitarianism, Chapters 1, 2; Singer, “Equality and its Implications”
|
16
|
Utilitarianism, Chapter 3; Singer,
“Vegetarianism and Utilitarianism”
|
23
|
Utilitarianism, Appendix; Nagel,
“War and Massacre”; Second essay due
|
30
|
Final Examination
|
This is a brief essay on Conduct and Character
ReplyDeleteGood morning, good evening, excuse me, thank you, please etc. were words I could not forget to say as a child growing up. The word "Conduct and Character" were two of my watch words and both governed my my general behavior then and now. Thanks to good parenting.
Conduct and Character are closely knitted together and somewhat difficult to to point out at times. Conduct is the state of one's behavior,whereas character refers to the general deportment or behavior of an individual.
According to articledashboard.com,conduct is what we perform and Character is who we are and how we behave. Charater is the root of the tree,conduct, is the fruit it bears.