Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2022 - PHIL 221 D100

Ethical Theory (3)

Class Number: 7713

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 13, 2022
    Tue, 3:30–6:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    One of PHIL 100, 100W, 120, 120W, 121, 144, 150, 151, or 300.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of the major ethical theories, including deontology, consequentialism and virtue ethics. Applications of these theories and related topics in value theory may also be discussed.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is a survey-based introduction to major views in normative ethics (about what is right and what kind of person you should be) and metaethics (about the “objectivity” of morality). Readings will be drawn from historical and contemporary sources. We will discuss religion and the metaethical views of nihilism, relativism, and objectivism. We will cover the normative ethical views of consequentialism, Kantianism, virtue ethics, ethics of care, and Confucianism.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

You will gain the ability to understand and engage with philosophical texts, apply highly theoretical ideas to real and fictional situations, and (hopefully) achieve a broader understanding of the surrounding world and your place in it. You will learn different views about the nature of morality, learn views about what we should do and how we should be, and be informed about ways that these views and other considerations feed into a wide variety of ethical debates.

Grading

  • Problem sets 20%
  • First paper 20%
  • Second paper 25%
  • Final exam 30%
  • Participation 5%

REQUIREMENTS:

Written work for this course will be submitted via Turnitin, a third party service licensed for use by SFU. Turnitin is used for originality checking to help detect plagiarism. Students will be required to create an account with Turnitin, and to submit their work via that account, on the terms stipulated in the agreement between the student and Turnitin. This agreement includes the retention of your submitted work as part of the Turnitin database. Any student with a concern about using the Turnitin service may opt to use an anonymous identity in their interactions with Turnitin. Students who do not intend to use Turnitin in the standard manner must notify the instructor at least two weeks in advance of any submission deadline. In particular, it is the responsibility of any student using the anonymous option (i.e. false name and temporary e-mail address created for the purpose) to inform the instructor such that the instructor can match up the anonymous identity with the student.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Russ Shafer-Landau, The Fundamentals of Ethics, 5th Edition. ISBN: 9780190058333

All other readings will be made available via Canvas.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

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

New elective grade policy : P/CR/NC, pilot project in place from Spring 2021 to Summer 2023. List of exclusions for the new policy. Specifically for Philosophy: 

  • Students can use a P or CR to satisfy any requirement for a major, joint major, honours, or minor in Philosophy (with the exception of Honours tutorials).
  • Students can use a P or CR to satisfy any prerequisite requirement for any PHIL course.
  • Students can use a P (but not a CR) to satisfy any requirement for the Ethics Certificate, or the Philosophy and Methodology of Science Certificate.
  • Philosophy Majors and Honours students can use a P (but not a CR) to satisfy any WQB requirement.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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