HRS 318: A.P.E.

HRS 318: Sources and Methods: Animals, Persons, and Ethics

Prof. Stephens Spring 2009 Mon. Wed. 3:00 – 4:15 pm Humanities Center (Dowling Hall) 212

office hours: MWF 10–10:20 am and 12 noon–12:15 pm, MW 4:20–4:45 pm, and by appointment

office: HC 116 phone (with voicemail): 280-2632 email: stphns at creighton dot edu

Description

This Honors Program (and CCAS Certified Writing) course will use philosophical methods to study the nature of animals, the nature of persons, and the ethical dynamics between persons and animals. What makes a being a person? Are all human beings persons or only some? Are there any nonhuman persons? Are androids, Blade Runner Replicants, computers, or divine beings persons? Are some nonhuman animals persons? Are dolphins, whales, or great apes persons? What philosophical methods can be used to constructing defensible answers to these questions? What obligations do morally responsible agents have to persons, to sentient rudimentary persons, and to living non-persons? How do myths, folklore, biology, the theory of evolution, and the science of ethology inform our thinking about such questions? We will draw from various philosophical texts in order to examine the fascinating and complex ethical, social, and metaphysical relationships between persons and animals.

Course Objectives

Students will learn how...

To roughly outline the history of the concept ‘person’ from inception to today.
To compare and contrast several competing philosophical conceptions of what a person is.
To construct a coherent, philosophically defensible position on which beings and animals are persons and why, which beings and animals are not persons and why, and which beings are neither paradigmatic persons nor paradigmatic non-persons.
To explain some important ethical issues regarding the treatment of persons, non-persons, and borderline cases.
To outline the ethical debate regarding the status and treatment of nonhuman animals by articulating the main competing positions.
To explain several arguments for philosophical vegetarianism and discuss objections to those arguments.

Required Texts

Paul Shepard, The Others: How Animals Made Us Human. Washington, DC: Island Press, 1997. ISBN 1-55963-434-0.
W. O. Stephens, The Person: Readings in Human Nature. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2006. ISBN 0-13-184811-9.

Required .pdf Essays

S. J. Armstrong & R. G. Botzler, The Animal Ethics Reader, 2nd ed. New York: Routledge, 2008 [= A&B]
Paola Cavalieri, “Whales as Persons” in A&B: 204–210
Helen Fields, “An Appetite for Whaling,” National Geographic, July 2008: 33
Erica Goode, “Sit. Stay. Love.” The New York Times, July 6, 2008
Peter Gwin, “A View to a Kill: Hunting Bears in Katmai National Preserve, Alaska,” National Geographic, July 2008: 28
Rosalind Hursthouse, “Applying Virtue Ethics to Our Treatment of the Other Animals” in The Practice of Virtue, J. Welchman ed. Hackett, 2006
Mark Jenkins, “Virunga Gorillas,” National Geographic, July 2008: 34–65
K. E. Lange, “Nasty Bites,” National Geographic, July 2008: 26
Alasdair MacIntyre, Ch.3: “The intelligence of dolphins,” Ch. 5: “How impoverished is the world of the nonhuman animal?,” Ch. 6: “Reasons for action,” in Dependent Rational Animals
Virginia Morell, “Animal Minds,” National Geographic, March 2008: 36–61
Stephen Mulhall, “Picturing the Human (Body and Soul): A Reading of Blade Runner,” Film and Philosophy, vol. 1, 1994: 87–104
Tom O’Neill, “Spot Check: Giraffes,” National Geographic, July 2008: 24
Tom Regan, “The Case for Animal Rights” [excerpts] in A&B: 19–25
S. F. Sapontzis, “Saving the Rabbit from the Fox,” Ch. 13 of Morals, Reason, and Animals. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press, 1987
K. J. Shapiro, “Human-Animal Studies: Growing the Field, Applying the Field,” Ann Arbor, MI: Animals and Society Institute, 2008
M. P. Simmonds, “Into the Brains of Whales” in A&B: 193–203
Peter Singer, “Practical Ethics” [excerpts] in A&B: 36–46
W. O. Stephens, “Five Arguments for Vegetarianism,” Philosophy in the Contemporary World 1, no. 4, 1994: 25–39
James Vlahos, “Pill-popping Pets,” The New York Times Magazine, July 13, 2008: 38–45, 54, 62–63
Nicholas Wade, “Scientist Finds the Beginnings of Morality in Primate Behavior,” The New York Times, March 20, 2007
D. F. Wallace, “Consider the Lobster” Gourmet, August 2004: 50–64
Whitehead et al., “Culture and Conservation of Non-humans with Reference to Whales and Dolphins” in A&B: 181–192

Required Film

Blade Runner, Director’s Cut (1982) directed by Ridley Scott. On four-hour and overnight reserve at Reinert Library.

Recommended Texts

Lewis Vaughn, Writing Philosophy: A Student’s Guide to Writing Philosophy Essays. Oxford University Press, 2006. ISBN 0-19-517956-0.
William O. Stephens, How to Write Philosophy Papers: A Manual for Beginning Philosophy Students ($4 at the Philosophy Dept.)

Optional Texts (labeled “suggested” in CU Bookstore)

Alasdair MacIntyre, Dependent Rational Animals: Why Human Beings Need the Virtues. Open Court Publishing, 1999. ISBN 978-0-8126-9452-9
Philip K. Dick, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Random House, 1996. ISBN 978-0-345-40447-3

Other Texts

Frans de Waal, Primates and Philosophers: How Morality Evolved. Princeton University Press, 2006. ISBN 0-691-12447-7.
James Rachels, Created from Animals: The Moral Implications of Darwinism. Oxford University Press, 1999 (paperback) ISBN 0-19-2861298.
Rosemary Rodd, Biology, Ethics and Animals. Oxford University Press, 1992 (paperback) ISBN 0-19-824052-X.

Websites

Course Requirements (and percentage of course grade)

One Paper (1600 words minimum; suggested max. 1900 words)	25%
Two Exams	20% + 20%
Final Exam	20%
Class Participation (includes pop reading quizlets)	15%

Attendance Policy

Regular and punctual class attendance is a necessary but not sufficient condition for a good class participation grade. Absences totaling the equivalent of three (3) weeks of class meetings will result in an AF (failure due to excessive absence) for this course. Each absence fewer than three weeks will incrementally lower the student’s class participation grade. Students are responsible for all material discussed and all announcements made in every class. If a student misses a class, it is her responsibility to find out what she missed. Being tardy twice counts as one absence.

Academic Honesty and Penalties for Violations

Students who plagiarize any part of a paper or written assignment will receive an F (zero) for that assignment. Students who cheat on an assignment will receive an F (zero) on that assignment. Students are required to produce their own original work in their papers and assignments, including all ideas, arguments, and sentences. Students may not take ideas or sentences from another unless that source is properly cited. Students may NOT work with others when writing the sentences of their assignments. 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. Citations on the paper should follow the guidelines in How to Write Philosophy Papers. In a case of plagiarism or cheating judged by the instructor to be flagrant, the student will receive an F for the course. See the Creighton College of Arts & Sciences Academic Honesty Procedures.

Paper Requirements

Click on this link for details about selecting your PAPER TOPIC. A hard copy of the paper must be delivered under Prof. Stephens' office door (HC 116) or put in his hand in order to count as being received. Emailed papers are not acceptable. Late papers will be penalized ten (10) points per day late. Print your NAME, the COURSE number and name, the name of your PROFESSOR, the TITLE of your paper, and the WORD COUNT on the cover page. Your paper will be a THESIS DEFENSE paper, also known as an argumentative essay. See chapters 3, 4, 5, and 6 in Vaughn, Writing Philosophy or (perhaps and) Stephens, How to Write Philosophy Papers.

Pop Quizlets

Ordinarily pop quizlets cannot be taken later if missed. Quizlets usually contain about ten questions. I will drop your lowest quizlet score when calculating your final Class Participation grade.

Class Cancellation Procedures

Ordinarily, the instructor will notify students of a cancelled class via email or on the web-syllabus or both. Students are expected to confirm that a class is cancelled by at least one of three means: (1) telephone call to the instructor’s office phone; (2) telephone call to the Philosophy Department Administrative Assistant, Mrs. Peggy Troy; (3) first-hand, eye witness observation of a credible class cancellation sign printed on Creighton University Philosophy Department stationery, and signed either by the instructor or by Mrs. Peggy Troy, posted inside the classroom. Word of mouth does not justify a student’s belief that a class is cancelled.

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.

Oral Class Participation

Punctuality is a virtue. Prof. Stephens strives to attend every class on time. He expects all of his students to attend every class, on time, every week, all semester long. Being in class is a NECESSARY but not a sufficient condition for earning a good class participation grade. Six (6) or more absences will result in an AF (failure due to excessive absence) for this course. Each absence fewer than six will incrementally lower your class participation grade. You are responsible for all material discussed and all announcements made in every class. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed. Being tardy twice counts as one absence. Class begins when Prof. Stephens enters the room or at 3:00 pm, whichever comes second, so if you arrive after that, then you are tardy. “Participation” means raising your hand to be called on and making comments about the reading or the discussion, or asking questions about the reading or the lecture, or responding to questions Prof. Stephens raises or comments made by other students. Attentively listening to everything said in class is certainly expected. But it is virtually impossible to learn how to do philosophy by merely listening. Listening alone does not count in the least as oral participation. You must vocalize your questions, thoughts, and comments out loud in class. Both quality and quantity of oral remarks count; both are recorded for every class. Since we will be closely attending to the readings in our class discussions, it is vital that everyday you bring to class your book (or a printed copy of the essay or essays) containing that day’s reading assignment.

Schedule

Jan. 14	Introduction to philosophical methods; Pre-test

	I. Animals

Jan. 19	Shepard, Introduction and Part I: The Animal Fare, Chapters 1 – 2 (3–40) VOCABULARY in Shepard, The Others

Jan. 21	Shepard, Part II: Cognition, Chapters 3 – 4 (43–68)

Jan. 26	Shepard, Part III: Identity, Chapters 5 – 8 (71–114)

Jan. 28	Shepard, Part IV: Change, Chapters 9 – 11 (117–152)

Feb. 2	Shepard, Chapters 12 – 13 (153–172); “Cat cuisine embroils China shops in protests,” The Boston Globe, Jan 2, 2009;
	Timothy Treadwell the Grizzly Man (wikipedia.com); Knut the polar bear (wikipedia.com)

Feb. 4	Shepard, Part V: The Cosmos, Chapters 14 – 15 (175–204)

Feb. 9	Shepard, Chapters 16 – 17 (205–242); Mark Bittman, “Rethinking the Meat-Guzzler,” The New York Times, January 27, 2008

Feb. 11	Shepard, Chapter 18: Hounding Nature: The Nightmares of Domestication (243–267)

Feb. 16	Shepard, Part VI: Counterplayers, Chapters 19 – 22 (271–303)

Feb. 18	Shepard, Chapters 23 – 24 (304–333); Take-home Part of Exam #1 distributed in class ― DUE Fri. Feb. 20 at 3:00 pm Review for Exam #1

Feb. 23	In-class Part of Exam #1

	II. Persons

Feb. 25	Stephens, Ch. 3: Cicero, Ch. 6: Boethius (17–21, 32–37)

March 2	Stephens, Ch. 6: Boethius continued (reread 32–37)

March 4	Stephens, Ch. 23: C. D. Broad, “The Validity of Belief in a Personal God” (187–198)

	SPRING RECESS

March 16	Stephens, Ch. 23: C. D. Broad, “The Validity of Belief in a Personal God” continued (reread 187–198)

March 18	Stephens, Ch. 36: A. O. Rorty, “Persons and Personae” (336–350)

March 23	Stephens, Ch. 42: The Boyd Group, “The Moral Status of Non-human Primates: Are Apes Persons?” (409–415),
	Nicholas Wade, “Scientist Finds the Beginnings of Morality in Primate Behavior,” and Mark Jenkins, “Virunga Gorillas”

March 25	Stephens, Ch. 39: Oswald Hanfling, “Machines as Persons?” (379–386), RECOMMENDED: Philip K. Dick, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
	watch *Blade Runner* before class March 30 (the film is on reserve in Reinert Library)
	view Dr Bucher’s Powerpoint lecture (in three parts) “Style and Meaning in Blade Runner” on BlueLine for this course (under “Lessons”)

	Hampton Fancher & David Peoples, Blade Runner Screenplay (Feb. 23, 1981)
March 30	Stephen Mulhall, “Picturing the Human (Body and Soul): A Reading of Blade Runner”

April 1	Whitehead et al., “Culture and Conservation of Non-humans with Reference to Whales and Dolphins,” M. P. Simmonds, “Into the Brains of Whales,”
	Helen Fields, “An Appetite for Whaling”

April 6	Stephens, Ch. 34: Mary Midgley, “Persons and Non-Persons” (313–320), Paola Cavalieri, “Whales as Persons” Review for Exam #2

April 8	Exam #2

	EASTER RECESS

	III. Virtues, Vices, Ethics, and Animals

April 15	S. F. Sapontzis, “Saving the Rabbit from the Fox” Group Alpha Papers DUE

April 20	David Foster Wallace, “Consider the Lobster” Gourmet, August 2004; W. O. Stephens, “Five Arguments for Vegetarianism”;
	“Lobsters and crabs feel pain, study shows” msnbc.com 3/27/2009; “Crabs ‘feel and remember pain’ suggests new study” cnn.com 3/27/2009

April 22	HONORS DAY, 2:00 to 5:00 pm in the Harper Center – no class meeting Group Beta Papers DUE

April 27	Rosalind Hursthouse, “Applying Virtue Ethics to Our Treatment of the Other Animals,” Tom Regan, “The Case for Animal Rights” [abridged], and
	Peter Singer, “Practical Ethics” [abridged]

April 29	last class; K. J. Shapiro, “Human-Animal Studies: Growing the Field, Applying the Field,” and James Vlahos, “Pill-popping Pets”
	Group Gamma Papers DUE
	Review for Final Exam
May 6	1:00–2:40 pm Final Exam

The Meatrix I, The Meatrix II, The Meatrix II½

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

“Mekong a ‘treasure trove’ of 1,000 newly discovered species”