Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - PHIL 120W D100

Moral and Legal Problems (3)

Class Number: 4123

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A critical examination of a range of moral and legal issues we confront in our dealings with the state and our fellow human beings, such as: Is it wrong to break the law? Should pornography and recreational drugs be illegal? Do animals have rights? Is there a duty to admit immigrants? Are there duties to the world's poor? Are indigenous peoples owed reparations? Students with credit for PHIL 120 may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course provides an introduction to moral philosophy through an examination of various moral, legal, and political problems and puzzles. We will focus on three broad objectives: (1) identifying, understanding, and applying the kinds of moral factors and moral principles that ought to guide public policy and decision-making, (2) identifying and exemplifying certain core features of philosophical and legal reasoning, and (3) exemplifying good philosophical reasoning and clear exposition through written assignments. Specific topics through which these goals are accomplished may include:

  • Is it ever permissible to sacrifice the good of the few for the sake of the many?
  • How ought we to distribute scarce medical resources?
  • Can a government justifiably impose a lifetime smoking ban on its citizens?
  • Do animals have moral rights? Is it morally wrong to eat meat?
  • Is there a morally relevant different between doing something causes harm and merely allowing harm to occur?
  • Under what circumstances, if ever, it is permissible to infringe on certain rights and liberties, such as the right to privacy?
  • Under what conditions can a person be deserving of criminal punishment?
  • What is the nature of value? Is it measurable? Is it possible to put a monetary value on human life for the purposes of guiding social policy?

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

PHIL 120W may be applied towards the Writing Requirement, and the Breadth-Humanities Requirement. The course is strongly recommended for students intending to pursue a Philosophy Major or Minor (especially with the Law and Philosophy concentration), or the Certificate in Ethics.

Video: Why Study Philosophy? 

Grading

  • Paper 1 (with revision) 25%
  • Paper 2 (with revision) 30%
  • Final exam 30%
  • Tutorial participation 10%
  • Low-stakes writing 5%

NOTES:

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:

All required readings will be available on Canvas or via the SFU library’s website.


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 philcomm@sfu.ca   More details on our website: SFU Philosophy

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.