PHL 250: Philosophical Foundations for Ethical Understanding

Dr William O. Stephens            Summer Session I, 2004          weekdays 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.            HC 13

office hours: MTWTh 1:30 to 3 p.m.        office: HC 116         phone: 280-2632        email: stphns@creighton.edu

Description

An introduction to ethical reasoning, analysis of moral arguments, and methods of evaluating conflicting judgments of right and wrong, good and bad.  We will study cultural relativism, subjectivism, the relationship between morality and religion, and the concept of selfishness.  The normative theories of utilitarianism, Kantian deontology (theory of duty), the theory of natural law, social contract theory, and virtue ethics will be central to the course.  Case studies on academic integrity, grading and cheating, on privacy, on sexual relationships and power, on drinking and the good life, and on getting a life will exercise our ability to apply the moral principles and theories learned.

Course Objectives

1. Acquaint students with the major normative ethical theories and standard objections to those theories, as well as how to apply those theories to some contemporary moral issues and controversies.
2. Acquaint students with the major challenges to normative ethical theory (egoism, relativism) and criticisms of those challenges.
3. Help students develop their own understanding of basic ethical concepts in order to construct their own more philosophically rigorous, more circumspect, and more coherent moral worldview.
4. Help students develop critical and analytical skills for examining and evaluating moral arguments in order to increase their moral wisdom in deciding how to act and live.
5. Help students refine their own moral judgments by learning how to construct good arguments (both written and oral) for their moral views and also how to be both fair-minded and reasonable in considering criticisms of those views.

Primary Required Texts

• James Rachels, The Elements of Moral Philosophy (McGraw-Hill, 4th ed. 2003) ISBN 0-07-247690-7.
• Kenneth A. Strike & P. A. Moss, Ethics and College Student Life: A Case Study Approach (Prentice Hall, 2nd ed. 2003) ISBN 0-13-093101.
• W. O. Stephens, How to Write Philosophy Papers: A Manual for Beginning Philosophy Students (Creighton Philosophy Department, $3)

Course Requirements and Grade Percentages

Class Participation & Absence Policy

Regular class attendance is a necessary but not sufficient condition for a good class participation grade.  As an intensive summer course that covers a week of material each class, absence is fatal.  Two (2) or more absences will earn an AF (F due to excessive absence) for this course.  Moreover, two (2) tardies count as one (1) absence, so you must attend class on time.  You are responsible for all matters discussed in every class.   If, due to illness or emergency, you must unavoidably miss a class, email or phone me in advance to let me know.  It is your responsibility to find out what you missed. 

By 'participation' I mean raising your hand to be called on, opening your mouth, and making comments about the reading or the discussion, asking thoughtful questions about the reading or my lecture, and responding to questions I raise or comments made by other students.  Don't be bashful.  Try to overcome any shyness you might have about speaking up in a large class.  It is very difficult to learn how to do ethical reasoning by merely listening.  You also need to actively, orally participate by thinking out loud in class.  Try to overcome any worries you might have about whether what you say might seem 'stupid' to anyone.  We are all here to learn, so remember, no guts, no glory!  Both quality and quantity of oral remarks count.

Quizlets

To encourage faithful and attentive reading, I will sometimes, without prior announcement, give a small 'pop' quiz (quizlet) on the assigned reading.   My quizlets are typically of the ten-item true/false variety.  A missed quiz cannot be taken later.  Also, since we will be closely studying the assigned readings in class, ALWAYS BRING TO CLASS YOUR BOOK containing the assigned reading for that day.

The Paper

Since your only paper is due at the end of the course, an extension cannot be granted.   Moreover, late papers will be penalized one (1) letter grade per hour late.  The paper should be at least 1600 words long, but it need not be much longer than that.  You are responsible for securing my approval of your paper topic BEFORE you submit it.  On the cover page print: (1) a catchy and descriptively accurate title, (2) your name, (3) the date you deliver your paper into my hands, (4) the course title, (5) the number AND section letter of your course, (6) the instructor's name [spelled correctly], and (7) the total word count of your paper EXCLUDING the cover page and works cited page.  Follow How to Write Philosophy Papers closely.  To make certain that every word is correctly spelled and properly used, every sentence is grammatical, every paragraph is well-structured, and the whole paper is coherently organized, I urge you to get assistance from the Writing Center (Hitchcock Comm. Arts Bldg. Room 306, phone 280-4707).  If you plagiarize any part of your paper, at the instructor's discretion, you will receive an F for the course or a lesser grade penalty.  For additional information see the Creighton College of Arts and Sciences' Academic Honesty Procedures.

• 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 below 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 below 80% average for a C+; 70% to below 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 their support.
• 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 below 90% average for a B+; 80% to below 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.

When to Contact Me

If a problem arises that interferes with you studying for this course EVERY DAY, please come see me or call me or email me or leave me a note either in my mailbox or under my office door.  I'll do my best to help you deal with whatever difficulties you're facing, but it is your responsibility to keep in contact with me.

Class Format: We will have lecture and discussion (or a Friday exam) for about 75 minutes, then a 15 minute break, then L&D to the end of class time.

Date              Reading Assignment

M June 7        Rachels, Ch. 1: What is Morality? (1–15).  Break.  Ch. 2: Cultural Relativism (16–31)   

T June 8        Rachels, Ch. 3: Subjectivism (32–47).  Break.  Ch. 4: Morality and Religion (48–62)

W June 9        Rachels, Ch. 5: Psychological Egoism (63–75).  Break.  Ch. 6: Ethical Egoism (76–90)

Th June 10        Rachels, Ch. 7: Utilitarianism (91–101).  Break.  Ch. 8: The Debate Over Utilitarianism (102–116)    Review Guide for Exam #1

F June 11        Exam #1.  Break.  Rachels, Ch. 9: Are There Absolute Moral Rules? (117–129)

M June 14        Rachels, Ch. 10: Kant and Respect for Persons (130–140).  Break.  Ch. 11: The Idea of a Social Contract (141–159)

T June 15        Rachels Ch. 12: Feminism and the Ethics of Care (160–172).  Break.  Ch. 13: The Ethics of Virtue (173–190)

W June 16        Strike & Moss Ch. 1: Introduction (1–11).  Break.  Ch. 2: Academic Integrity, Grading, and Cheating (12–30)

Th June 17        S & M Ch. 3: Tolerance, Diversity, and Hate Speech (31–65).  Break.  More discussion of cases.    Review Guide for Exam #2

F June 18        Exam #2.  Break.  S & M Ch. 5: Loyalty, Friendship, and Community (92–115)

M June 21        S & M Ch. 4: Privacy and Dialogue (66–91).  Break.  More discussion of cases.

T June 22        S & M Ch. 6: Sex, Relationships, and Power (116–146).  Break.  More discussion of cases.

W June 23        Paper is DUE at 9:30 a.m.  S & M Ch. 7: Drinking and Living the Good Life (147–172).  Break.  More discussion of cases.

Th June 24        S & M Ch. 8: On Getting a Life (173–194).  Break.  More discussion of cases.    Review Guide for Exam #3

F June 25        Exam #3.  Fill out course evaluation.