Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2019 - PHIL 221 D100

Ethical Theory (3)

Class Number: 5801

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 8, 2019: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 18, 2019
    Thu, 12:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    One of: PHIL 100W (or equivalent), PHIL 120W (or equivalent), PHIL 121, PHIL 144, PHIL 150 or PHIL 151.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

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

COURSE DETAILS:

Ethics is commonly conceived as the articulation and justification of principles that guide our conduct, or put differently, ethics tells us how we should live. In this class we will consider a number of historical and contemporary answers to that question. There will be many answers to that question. Many of them will be competing, others not. But it will be our task to rationally choose between the answers.

And we will find that answering that question, leads to a host of other questions and issues: Among them, we will consider whether ethics expresses anything deep about our natures, or whether ethics is just a scam, a tool used merely to police us into particular actions; if there is no God, is ethics is even possible? How?

This course is arranged primarily historically. That is to say, much of our readings will cover the readings that have shaped our understandings of ethics and moral philosophy. We will end the course with several contemporary readings that will provide opportunity to talk about culture, race, and gender and what makes them important concepts in thinking about ethics.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

1. Recognizing and explaining key concepts, articulating their meaning and placing them in their appropriate context

2. Identifying key arguments placing them in their appropriate context with respect to authorship

3. Reconstructing and critically analyzing key arguments for soundness and validity

4. Articulating the key themes found within the class in a well structured essay

5. Critically comparing various theories showing their strengths and weaknesses and critically extending arguments to novel cases and problems not found within the text

Grading

  • First paper 15%
  • Second paper 25%
  • Midterm exam 25%
  • Final exam 30%
  • Participation (measured via attendance and contributions to discussions) 5%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

1. The Republic, Plato, Hackett, 978-0-87220-736-3

2. Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle, Hackett, 978-1-62466-117-4

3. Utilitarianism, Joh Stuart Mill, Hackett, 978-0-87220-605-2

4. Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals (Third Edition), Immanuel Kant, Hackett, 978-0-87220-166-8

5. Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes, Hackett, 978-0-87220-177-4


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