Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2019 - PHIL 421W D100

Advanced Topics in Ethical Theory (4)

Culpability and Control

Class Number: 3236

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 8, 2019: Tue, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 3 – Apr 8, 2019: Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • 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: Culpability and Control

[Note: this course is to be taught concurrently with PHIL 822.]

This course will focus on the nature of responsibility or culpability, both moral and criminal, and the type of control necessary for culpability. Our approach will be guided by two methodological ideas. First, we will bring together philosophical and jurisprudential perspectives on responsibility, with a particular focus on reasons-responsive views of moral responsibility and the rational choice model of criminal culpability. Second, we will employ, at points, the familiar strategy of using pathological or otherwise problematic cases as a window into proper functioning. In particular, we will see what we can learn about normal responsibility from cases of diminished or partial responsibility (e.g. insanity, immaturity, addiction, duress, and provocation).

We will begin by looking at familiar and attractive general conceptions of responsibility in both moral philosophy and the law. We will start with non-skeptical philosophical attempts to ground the reactive attitudes in an agent’s capacities for reasons-responsiveness and control. Then we will look at parallel ideas about criminal responsibility – including the role of responsibility in retributivist conceptions of punishment, the elements of criminal responsibility (e.g. actus reus, mens rea, justification, excuse, and mitigation), and jurisprudential conceptions of culpability and excuse. We then move from general theory to applied culpability, focusing on cases of pathological, marginal, or partial culpability.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course may be applied towards the Writing Requirement (and the upper division Writing Requirement for Philosophy Majors).

The course is excellent preparation for: graduate school in philosophy, public policy degrees, law school, business school. 

Grading

  • Ten Key Concept Papers (1 page) - 1% each 10%
  • First Essay (1000-1500 words) 30%
  • Final Essay (2000-3000 words): outline (5%), first draft (not graded), final draft (55%) 60%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All readings available on Canvas

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Thinking of a Philosophy Major or Minor? The Concentration in Law and Philosophy? The Certificate in Ethics? The Philosophy and Methodology of Science Certificate?
Contact the PHIL Advisor at philmgr@sfu.ca   More details on our website: SFU Philosophy

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/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