Overview

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 be particularly interested in examining the kinds of moral principles that ought to guide public policy and decision-making. Topics may include:

• Is it ever permissible to sacrifice the good of the few for the sake of the many?
• What is the extent of a person’s right to self-defence?
• Is there a moral right to abortion?
• Is there a moral duty to alleviate the suffering of distant people?
• Do health care practitioners have the right to conscientious refusal?
• Is it possible to wrong a person by doing something that makes them better off?

 

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.

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

• Identify an author’s main thesis and the supporting argument for that thesis;
• Engage with those arguments in a critical and respectful manner, both in writing and in discussion with peers;
• Construct arguments in support one’s own view;
• Understand central concepts and theories in moral theory;
• Understand some philosophical puzzles in moral theory.

This course is excellent preparation for law school, public policy degrees, business school, or for anyone intending to participate in public policy debates.

Videos: Why Study Philosophy? and Meet Our Professors!

Grading

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Course materials and assignments will be distributed and collected via Canvas, an online Learning Management System; students are thus expected to have access to a computer from which to access readings, and to upload assignments.

REQUIRED READING:

REQUIRED READING NOTES: