Spring 2017 - PHIL 421W D100
Advanced Topics in Ethical Theory (4)
Class Number: 3942
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 4 – Apr 7, 2017: Wed, Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Sam Black
samuelb@sfu.ca
Office: WMC 5608
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Prerequisites:
two 300 level PHIL courses; it is strongly recommended that students have taken some prior course in moral theory.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
A highly focused, advanced examination of a selection of topics in normative or meta-ethics. May be repeated for credit. Writing.
COURSE DETAILS:
Selected Topics: Ownership: Self and World
[Note: this course is to be taught concurrently with PHIL 822.]
This is a senior undergraduate and graduate level course in political philosophy that focusses on the moral justification for rights of ownership, or rights over property. We will start by examing the basis for self-ownership rights, and proceed to investigate how people might acquire exclusive property rights over parts of the world. Depending on the choice of presentation topics, we may finish up with some applications to contested issues where the law has failed to keep pace with technology, such as intellectual property, and property in one’s genetic code.
The central tension that we will explore is the conflict between two powerful ideas. On the one hand, many people believe there are no natural rights because they are too spoky to be taken seriously. So ownership rights have a shallow foundation if they have a foundation at all; they are justified because they contribute to impartial objectives (like the happiness of humanity or society). On the other hand, this is hard to believe. The fact that you’ve shown up in your body first seems to give you a privileged claim over its vital organs, even if redistributing your lungs, spleen, and heart would save many lives. The fact that First Nations have shown up first on tracts of land seems to give them a privileged claim over those territories. So historical factors, which are highly partial in character, may matter after all.
Students are expected to contribute to class discussion, and read 2-3 papers each week. They will need to synthesize these readings to complete their final research paper.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
This course may be applied towards the Writing Requirement (and the upper division Writing Requirement for Philosophy majors).
The general aim of the course is for students to learn how to:
- Identify a thesis and its supporting arguments in philosophical materials and other relevant sources
- Engage with those arguments in respectful discussion with peers
- Construct written arguments
- Conduct independent research
- Engage with the moral foundations of the law and policy using philosophical arguments and methods
The course is excellent preparation for: graduate school in philosophy, public policy degrees, law school, or business school, or for anyone intending to participate in public debates on domestic and foreign policy.
Grading
- Three short assignments (from a total of four, max 1 per week, due prior to class; the first due no later than week 4 and the last due no later than week 12, 600 words max) 15%
- One short research paper (1200 words, due at Lecture Week 8) 30%
- One longer research paper (4000 words, due at Lecture Week 13) 45%
- Participation (comprising both attendance and contribution to class discussion or office hour discussion) 10%
NOTES:
No Nonsense Paper Policy: In the interest of preserving a level playing field students submitting late papers without prior arrangement or a doctor's note will be penalized. Students caught plagiarizing or otherwise cheating will normally be recommended for suspension from the university.
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
All materials will be available from the Library. There is no course reader or text.
Registrar Notes:
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.
Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS