Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2024 - PHIL 421W E200

Advanced Topics in Ethical Theory (4)

Life and Death

Class Number: 7308

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Wed, 4:30–7:20 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: Life and Death
[Note: this course is to be taught concurrently with PHIL 822 G100.]

This course will explore contemporary readings concerning what makes life meaningful and our relationship with death. We’ll incorporate both more theoretical material and work on related applied questions. Questions we discuss may include:

  • What, if anything, can make a life meaningful?
  • We live in a world where technology can take over an increasing number of human activities. How does this impact our ability to lead lives that are meaningful?
  • What is the relationship between the finiteness of our lives and our ability to find meaning in them?
  • What role should grief play in our lives?

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

This course may be applied towards the Writing Requirement (and the Upper Division Writing Requirement for Philosophy Majors). This course may be repeated for credit if the topic is different.

Grading

  • Short Reading Response Assignments and Quality of Participation 20%
  • Final paper (3,000-5,000 words) (This will require a paper proposal, version 1 of the paper, and a final version of the paper) 80%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All readings will be available on 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 philcomm@sfu.ca   More details on our website: SFU Philosophy

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