PHL 354 Fall 08

PHL/EVS 354: Environmental Ethics

Prof. Stephens Fall 2008

Tues. Thurs. 2:00 to 3:15 pm HC 212 office: HC 116

office hours: Mon. 1:30 – 2 pm; Tues. Wed. Thurs. 11 am – 12 noon; Tues. 3:30 – 4 pm; and by appointment
phone (with voicemail): 280-2632 email: stphns at creighton dot edu

Course Description

Examination of a variety of theoretical approaches to philosophical issues concerning individual organisms, species, ecosystems, and the biosphere. Study of aesthetic, axiological, epistemological, and ontological issues such as biocentrism, ecocentrism, deep ecology, social ecology, the concept of wilderness, future persons and obligations to them, population growth and reproductive ethics, consumerism, sustainable economies, and green political theory.

Course Requirements

Short writing assignments and pop readings quizlets	8 %
Class participation	11 %
Three Exams (15 % each)	45 %
Two Papers (18 % each)	36 %

Required Texts

    Louis P. Pojman & Paul Pojman, Environmental Ethics: Readings in Theory and Application; 5th ed. (Thomson/Wadsworth, 2005) ISBN 0495095036.
    Alan Weisman, The World without Us (St Martin’s Press, 2007) ISBN 0-312-34729-4.
    William O. Stephens, How to Write Philosophy Papers ($4 at Philosophy Dept.).

Other Readings

Mark Bittman, “Rethinking the Meat-Guzzler,” The New York Times, January 27, 2008
James McKinley Jr., “What to Do With Traumatized Elephant Stirs Up Dallas,” The New York Times, August 14, 2008

Film

Who Killed the Electric Car? (2006) http://www.sonyclassics.com/whokilledtheelectriccar/

Standards of Evaluation for Letter Grades

F “Failure – no credit” (<60% average)

Extreme lack of clarity or lack of coherence of argument or expression of thought.
Disregard for the requirements of the assignment.
Irrelevant use or failure to use relevant course readings.
Submission of another’s words or thoughts as if they were your own, whether in the form of plagiarism or failure to acknowledge the source of an idea.
Very poor class attendance with no participation in discussions.

D “Work of inferior quality, but passing” (60 to <70% average)

Unclarity or incoherence of argument or expression of thought.
Failure to satisfy the requirements of the assignment.
Poor or inadequate understanding or use of relevant course readings.
Improper acknowledgment or citation of the sources of your ideas.
Poor class attendance with little or no participation in discussions.

C “Satisfactory work”

Basic clarity and coherence of argument and expression of thought.
Satisfaction of the assignment’s basic requirements.
Fair or adequate understanding of the major views and theories in the relevant course readings and the arguments presented in support of those views and theories.
Minimally clear and coherent evaluation of the views and arguments in the relevant course readings.
Minimally proper acknowledgment and citation of the sources of your ideas.
Generally consistent class attendance with occasional participation in discussions.
77 to <80% average for a C+; 70 to <77% average for a C.

B “Noteworthy level of performance” Demonstrates all of the qualities of satisfactory work plus:

Good, above average clarity and coherence of argument and expression of thought.
Clear, logical organization of the essay’s introduction, body, and conclusion.
Clear, detailed, and accurate understanding of the major views and theories in the relevant course readings and of the arguments presented in support of those views
and theories.
Good attempt to provide argumentative support for your evaluation of the views, theories, and arguments presented in the relevant course readings.
Regular, consistent class attendance with regular, good participation in discussions.
87 to <90% average for a B+; 80 to <87% average for a B.

A “Outstanding achievement and an unusual degree of intellectual initiative” Demonstrates all of the qualities of noteworthy performance plus:

Excellent, superior clarity and coherence of argument and expression of thought.
Clear, rigorous, and cogent argumentative support for your evaluation of the views, theories, and arguments presented in the relevant course readings.
Originality and creativity of interpretation, explanation, argumentation, or criticism.
Superior class attendance with consistent, excellent, and thoughtful participation in discussions.
90% average or above.

Electronic Devices

Our classroom is a community of thinkers cooperating in face to face philosophical inquiry. Consequently, the purpose of being in class is to pay close attention to the lecture and discussion and to participate in the discussion. Taking notes on paper during class is very strongly recommended. Use of electronic devices in class is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. These devices include laptop computers, handheld computers, iPods, Blackberries, cameras, audio recorders, cell phones, and similar devices. If you choose to bring such devices to the classroom, they are to be safely stored away and kept off during class.

Attendance, Class Participation, and Paper Submission Policies

Punctual attendance at every class is expected. Three tardies count as one absence. Being prepared for every class is not only expected, but vital to the success of this course. The equivalent of three weeks of absences (six classes) count as excessive and will result in an AF (F due to excessive absence). Each absence lowers the class participation grade. Attendance is necessary but not sufficient for good class participation. Class participation includes your comments and questions in class and talking with (or emailing) me about course topics outside of class. Both quantity and quality of remarks count. Always bring the book containing that day’s assigned reading to class so we can examine passages that we discuss.
    The papers will be scored on a 100 point scale. Please turn them in on time. A request for an extension on the first paper must be made no fewer than three days before the posted due date. The first paper will be penalized one letter grade (10 points) for each weekday it is late.
    In order to have time to grade your second paper and submit your course grades to the Registrar by the deadline, the December 11, 1:00 pm deadline for the second paper is firm. A late second paper will be penalized one letter grade (10 points) for each hour after 1:00 pm it is turned in late (e.g. a paper turned in between 1:01 pm and 2:00 pm will be penalized 10 pts.; a paper turned in between 2:01 pm and 3:00 pm will be penalized 20 pts., and so forth).
    The papers will be thesis defense papers. In a thesis defense paper the author takes a stand on a philosophical issue pertinent to a topic in environmental philosophy. The author (student) must clearly explain what her position is after explicitly stating it in the introductory paragraph. Then, in the body of the paper, the student must justify her thesis by presenting arguments to support it. Then the student must discuss the most intelligent objections to and counterarguments against her position that she can think of. Finally she must reply to these intelligent objections and defend her thesis (which may require modifying it) in response to the counterarguments. For topic, structure, formatting, tone, and content details, see How to Write Philosophy Papers. Follow all the guidelines in How to Write Philosophy Papers. Consult with Prof. Stephens to make sure he approves your paper topic BEFORE you begin the process of serious writing. You are responsible for securing Prof. Stephens’ approval of your paper topic well before the paper is due.

Papers will be graded by the following criteria:

Originality and creativity. A fresh insight, a new perspective on the topic, an original argument, a creative analysis–these things will distinguish your paper as special and memorable.
Clarity and concision. Make your meaning as plain as you can. Choose words carefully, spell them correctly, and put them in graceful, grammatical, properly punctuated, complete sentences. Trim out excess verbiage. Make every word count.
Coherence and organization. Make your ideas hang together so that each one leads smoothly and logically to the next. A well reasoned thesis defense paper is well organized and to the point.
Rigor and Burden of Proof. Be logical. Construct direct, valid arguments. Avoid all informal fallacies like the plague. Provide evidence. Shoulder the burden of proof in advancing your arguments.
Evenhandedness and Principle of Charity. Include plausible criticisms of and objections to your thesis. How might an astute opponent challenge your position? Respond thoughtfully and fairly to these criticisms, objections, and challenges.

Pop Quizzes

To encourage you to keep fresh in your mind the basic content of the assigned reading so our discussions will be fruitful, I will occasionally, at the beginning of class, without prior announcement, give a small pop quiz on the reading assignment. If you are late to class or absent that day, then you miss the quiz, get a zero for it, and cannot retake it. Pop quizzes typically have ten true/false questions and count for 10 points.

Class Cancellation Procedure

A class meeting is cancelled if and only if at least two of the following conditions are met:

The student receives an email from either the instructor or the Administrative Assistant or the Chair or the Associate Chair of the Philosophy Dept. announcing cancellation of that class.
The student is informed orally by either the instructor or the Administrative Assistant of the Philosophy Department, or some other faculty member of the Philosophy Department;
The student sees with his or her own eyes, posted in the classroom, a sign announcing the class cancellation printed on Philosophy Dept. stationery with one signature of a faculty or staff member of the Philosophy Dept.

Each student is responsible for confirming a class cancellation and for making a good faith effort to do so. Making a phone call is an acceptable means of establishing (b), for example; (c) can be satisfied twice with two different signatures on the department stationery.

Statement on Academic Honesty and Penalties for Violations

If you plagiarize any part of a papers, then you will receive an F for the course. Students are required to produce their own original work in their papers, including all ideas, arguments, and sentences. Students may NOT work with others, and may NOT borrow from others, when writing the sentences of their papers. However, students are encouraged to discuss ideas pertaining to their papers with other students in the course and with other people not taking the course. Cheating will be punished with at minimum an F (zero) on that assignment. In cases of cheating the instructor judges to be flagrant, the punishment is an F for the course. See the Creighton College of Arts & Sciences Academic Honesty Procedures.

Schedule

Aug. 28 Introduction, What Is Ethics? (1–3, 4–7)

THEORY

Sept. 2 Chapter 1: Perspectives. Reading #1: Genesis; Reading #2: Lynn White, “The Historical Roots of Our Ecological Crisis”;
#3 L. W. Moncrief, “The Cultural Basis of Our Environmental Crisis”; #4 P. Dobel, “The Judeo-Christian Stewardship Attitude to Nature” (10–33)

Sept. 4 Chapter 2: Animal Rights. Reading #7 Immanuel Kant, “Rational Beings Alone Have Moral Worth”;
Reading #8 Peter Singer, “A Utilitarian Defense of Animal Liberation” (61–65, 73–82)

Sept. 9 Chapter 2. #10 Tom Regan, “The Radical Egalitarian Case for Animal Rights”;
James McKinley Jr., “What to Do With Traumatized Elephant Stirs Up Dallas,” The New York Times, August 14, 2008

Sept. 11 #11 M. A. Warren, “A Critique of Regan’s Animal Rights Theory” (82–97)

Sept. 16 Chapter 3: Does Nature Have Intrinsic Value?. #13 H. Rolston, “Naturalizing Values: Organisms and Species”;
#14 N. Hettinger, “Comments on Rolston” (104–123); Weisman, The World without Us, Prelude & Part I, Chapters 1–3 (1–38)

Sept. 18 Chapter 3. #15 J. S. Mill, “Nature”; #17 Paul Taylor, “Biocentric Egalitarianism” (123–131, 139–154)

Sept. 23 Weisman, The World without Us, Part I, Chapters 4–6 (39–87)

Sept. 25 Chapter 3. #19 Aldo Leopold, “Ecocentrism: The Land Ethic” (163–172) Review Guide for Exam #1

Sept. 30 Exam #1

Oct. 2 #20 Callicott, “The Conceptual Foundations of the Land Ethic” (173–185)
Weisman, The World without Us, Part II, Chapters 7–9 (91–128); make appointment for Oct. 2–9 to consult with Prof. S on your Paper Topic #1

Oct. 7 Chapter 3. #24 Naess, “The Shallow and the Deep, Long-Range Ecological Movement”;
#25 Naess, “Ecosophy T: Deep Versus Shallow Ecology” (215–228)

Oct. 9 Chapter 3. #27 Richard Watson, “A Critique of Anti-Anthropocentric Ethics” (200–212)

Oct. 14 Chapter 3. #28 Murray Bookchin, “Social Ecology Versus Deep Ecology” (212–222);
Weisman, The World without Us, Part II, Chapter 10 (129–144)

Oct. 16    Chapter 4: Preservation of Species, Nature, and Natural Objects. #30 Meadows, “Biodiversity: The Key to Saving Life on Earth”;
                #31 Lilly-Marlene Russow, “Why Do Species Matter?” (265–276); Weisman, The World without Us, Part II, Chapter 11 (145–168)
                First Paper DUE

Fall Recess

Oct. 28 Weisman, The World without Us, Part III, Chapters 12–14 (171–200)

Oct. 30 Chapter 4. #33 Robert Elliot, “Faking Nature” (290–298)

Nov. 4 Chapter 4. #32 Krieger, “What’s Wrong with Plastic Trees?” (277–290);

Nov. 6 Exam #2

Nov. 11 Chapter 6: Obligations to Future Generations. #40 Robert Heilbroner, “What Has Posterity Ever Done for Me?”;
#41 Garrett Hardin, “Who Cares for Posterity?” (346–357)

PRACTICE

Nov. 13 Chapter 7: Population and Consumption. #44 Bill McKibben, “A Special Moment in History: The Challenge of Overpopulation and
Overconsumption” (376–389)

Nov. 18 Chapter 7. #49 Clark Wolf, “Population and the Environment” (431–441); make appointment for Nov. 18–24 to consult with Prof. S
on your Paper Topic #2

Nov. 20 Chapter 8: Food Ethics. #51 Engel, “Hunger, Duty, and Ecology: On What We Owe Starving Humans” (458–476)

Nov. 25    Chapter 8. #54 Tristram Coffin, “The World Food Supply: The Damage Done by Cattle-Raising”;
                 #55 M. A. Fox, “Vegetarianism and Treading Lightly on the Earth” (493–504);
                 Mark Bittman, “Rethinking the Meat-Guzzler,” The New York Times, January 27, 2008;
                 Also read http://goveg.com/environment-globalwarming.asp ; http://www.physorg.com/news4998.html ;
                                 http://earthsave.org/globalwarming.htm ; http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=1856817&page=1

Thanksgiving Recess

Dec. 2 Weisman, The World without Us, Part III, Chapters 15–16 (201–232)

Dec. 4 Chapter 11: Climate Change. #63 Pew Center on Global Climate Change, “Understanding the Causes of Global Climate Change”;
#64 Stephen Gardiner, “Ethics and Climate Change” (568–597)

Dec. 9 Weisman, The World without Us, Part IV, Chapters 17–19 and Coda (235–275)

Dec. 11 last class; Second Paper DUE

Thurs. December 18 8:00 – 9:40 am (Final) Exam #3

* The instructor reserves the right, at his discretion, to make minor changes to this syllabus during the course including due dates, assignments, and requirements.