applied eth outline
DESCRIPTION
....TRANSCRIPT
Dr Sheena [email protected]
Sommersemester 2014Karl-Franzens Universitaet
Applied Ethics (in English)The course introduces students to applied ethics through a broad, topic-based approach. Topics include: animal rights, abortion, euthanasia, poverty, overpopulation and business ethics. The course will also raise questions about the nature of ethical thinking as such and include a very basic introduction to theories of ethics. Students will be expected to discuss controversial topics and to engage philosophically with a range of views – although this engagement may, of course, be highly critical.
Aims 1. To introduce students to a number of important philosophical views, issues and arguments in
the field of applied ethics. 2. To develop the critical thinking and writing skills of students.
Textbook Peter Singer (ed) Applied Ethics (OUP, 2006)
Also recommended:Andrew I. Cohen and Christopher Heath Wellman (eds) Contemporary Debates in Applied Ethics (Blackwell, 2005)
In addition, some supplementary readings will be provided.
Assessment1. An essay based on a set topic 30%
Length: 2,500 words max, including footnotes. Due: 1 st July 2014
2. A long answer exam at the end of the course. 30% The exam will have five questions and students will need to answer three. (NOTE: Students should avoid covering the same material in the exam and in the essay. Students should avoid using the same material in more than one exam question.) Date of exam: 24 th June 2014
3. A presentation on a topic to be negotiated with the course co-ordinator. 20%Topics will be assigned in the first seminar session.
4. Participation in discussion and attendance at seminars. 20%
1
Dr Sheena [email protected]
Sommersemester 2014Karl-Franzens Universitaet
Class time and locationTuesday 3:15pm – 4:45pm UR 09.51 (Heinrichstraße 26, 5.Obergeschoß)
ConsultationAppointments as needed – [email protected]
Week-by-week guide to materials Please do the reading before class !!
Unless otherwise stated, all readings are taken from the textbook
Week 1 – 04.03.2014Introduction to Applied Ethics
No set reading
Week 2 – 11.03.2014Peter Singer on World Hunger
The Drowning Child and the Expanding Circle, Peter Singer, New Internationalist (April, 1997): http://www.utilitarianism.net/singer/by/199704--.htmFamine, Affluence, and Morality, Peter Singer, Philosophy & Public Affairs, (1972) 1, 229-243(sent out via email)The Singer Solution to World Poverty, Peter Singer, The New York Times, (September 5, 1999): http://www.staff.fcps.net/wturner/The%20Singer%20Solution%20to%20World%20Poverty.pdf
Week 3 – 18.03.2014Overpopulation
Judgement Day, Louis Pascal, 105Overpopulation and the Quality of Life, Derek Parfit, 145
Week 4 –25.03.2014Milton Friedman on Business Ethics
The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits, Milton Friedman, New York Times Magazine (13 Sept 1930) 33, 122-126: http://www.colorado.edu/studentgroups/libertarians/issues/friedman-soc-resp-business.htmlA Critique of Milton Friedman’s Essay: ‘The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits’, Thomas Mulligan, Journal of Business Ethics, (1986) 5,265 - 269 (sent out via email)A Reply to Thomas Mulligan’s Critique of Milton Friedman’s Essay ‘The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits’, Bill Shaw, Journal of Business Ethics, (1988) 7, 537-543 (sent out via email)
2
Dr Sheena [email protected]
Sommersemester 2014Karl-Franzens Universitaet
Week 5 – 01.04.2014Euthanasia
Active and Passive Euthanasia, 29BBC Ethics Guide ‘Euthanasia’: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/euthanasia/
Week 6 – 08.04.2014Death and Suicide
Death, Thomas Nagel, 9Of Suicide, David Hume, 19
Week 7 – 06.05.2014Judith Jarvis Thomson on Abortion
A Defence of Abortion, Judith Jarvis Thomson, 37The rights and wrongs of abortion: A reply to Judith Thomson, John Finnis, Philosophy and Public Affairs, 2 (2):117-145 (1973) (sent out via email)
Week 8 – 13.05.2014Infanticide
Abortion and Infanticide, Michael Tooley, 57
Week 9 – 20.05.2014Animals
All Animals are Equal, Peter Singer, 215BBC Ethics Guide: ‘Animals’: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/animals/
Week 10 – 27.05.2014What counts in ethical thinking?
Games Theory and the Nuclear Arms Race, Nicholas Measor, 229
Week 11 – 03.06.2014More questions about ethical thinking
The Survival Lottery, John Harris, 87‘It Makes No Difference Whether or Not I Do It’, Jonathan Glover, 125
Week 12 – 17.06.2014REVISION
General revisionExam adviceQ & A (questions sent a week in advance)
Week 13 - 24.06.2014EXAM
3