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  Mendocino
Hall
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Ethics: History, Theory, and Contemporary Issues
M. Cahn, P. Markie
The Elements of Moral Philosophy
James Rachels
Plato
 Aristotle
Thomas Hobbes
David Hume
Immanuel Kant
J.S. Mill
G.E. Moore
John Rawls
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| time & place |
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Tuesday
& Thursday, 1:30 - 2:45
Mariposa Hall, Room 1010
Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 2:45-3:30
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| description |
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In this course, we begin with the notion that our ethical principles and the opinions and actions they generate can and should be rationally justified. We will then explore and critique several competing systems of thought by which we might do so, particularly as regards the moral controversies that divide society today, such as abortion, the death penalty, affirmative action, sexism, war and peace. Our discussions will emphasize an analytical and critical discussion of those philosophical theories and competing viewpoints most popular in contemporary American culture.
Catalog Description can be read here.
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| requirements |
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Our work will primarily be lecture and discussion, so both careful attention to the readings and class participation will be crucial for a lively course. Please bring your text to class.
There will be two examinations--one take-home mid-term paper and one in-class final--as well as several unannounced short answer quizzes on the readings. |
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| texts and materials |
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1. M. Cahn, P. Markie, Ethics: History, Theory, and Contemporary Issues (3rd Ed.) Oxford University Press (2005): ISBN: 0195178408
2. Rachels, James, The Elements of Moral Philosophy with Dictionary of Philosophical Terms (Paperback) McGraw-Hill, 5th or 6th edition: ISBN: 0073386715. NOTE: The 5th edition can be found much cheaper online, and you can use that version instead if you wish. The bookstore was only able to order the 6th edition.
CPS RF Response Pads (a.k.a. 'Clickers'). Purchased through the Hornet Bookstore, the current price is approximately $21.00 plus tax. In addition to purchasing the clicker (which you own outright and can sell back to the Bookstore as a used “book”), you must also pay a per semester (not per course) registration fee of $13 per semester. This is done via an online registration website, www.einstruction.com. eInstruction has established a program that for the lifetime of ownership (even in incremental semesters), the student will never pay more than $35 in licensing registration. Thus the total cost of lifetime ownership and registration of the eInstruction CPS clicker is approximately $58/student. CPS clickers are also available at highly discounted prices ($15-20) at Amazon.com and elsewhere on the web. (Click here for the Amazon page.)
After the 2nd week of classes you will be given a 5 question multiple-choice quiz on almost a daily basis. The quizzes pertain to the reading and lecture material. Quiz questions are administered throughout the class period and you will answer them using CPS response pads.
CLASS KEY: G55415M336
Click here for more information and instructions on registering your CPS pad. |
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| grading |
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| Class
participation: |
15% |
(2 unexcused absences results in 0%) |
| Quizzes:
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25% |
(These are written pop quizzes on the reading assignments) |
| Mid-term
exam: |
25% |
(4-6 page take-home exam/paper) |
| Final
exam: |
35% |
(4-6 page take-home exam/paper) |
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Furlough Disclaimer: Due to the massive budget cuts in the State of California, faculty have been furloughed for 2 days per month. Some of these days may be instructional days, and, as the CSU administration and the faculty labor union said, “cuts of this magnitude will naturally have consequences for the quality of education.” Some of these furlough days, listed below, will be taken when class would normally have met. Alternative assignments may be given to make up for the lost classes. |
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Academic Standards: All sources in papers must be cited and given appropriate credit. The author of any information from the Internet must be given credit; using such information without indicating the
source constitutes plagiarism, as it would with print publications. Students are allowed to discuss lectures and even assignments with each other, but they must do their own work. Students are required to read the University policy on academic honesty, which can be found here
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Students with Disabilities: If you have a documented disability and require accommodation or assistance with assignments, tests, attendance, note taking, etc., please see the instructor during the first
week of the semester so that appropriate arrangements can be made to ensure your full participation in class. Also, you are encouraged to contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (Lassen Hall) for
additional information regarding services that might be available to you.
Area D2
This course satisfies Area D2: Major Social Issues of the Contemporary Era by examining domestic issues confronting or dividing Americans today within the following topic areas: Abortion, Health and Biomedical issues, Euthanasia, Equality and Discrimination, Legal Punishment Issues, Economic Justice Issues, Globalization, War and Terrorism Issues, Sexual Issues, and Environmental Issues.
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| lecture schedule - summary view |
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9/01 |
Introduction |
9/03 |
'Morality' vs. Social 'Ethics' |
9/08 |
Mill: Utilitarianism |
9/10 |
Utilitarianism (cont'd) |
9/15 |
Dewey: Pragmatism / Empirical Naturalism |
9/17 |
Hobbes: Social Contract Theory |
9/22 |
Social Contract Theory (cont'd) |
9/24 |
John Rawls' theory of justice |
9/29 |
NO CLASS (FURLOUGH DAY) |
10/01 |
Ethical Egoism |
10/06 |
Critique of Utilitarianism |
10/08 |
Harman: Critique of Empirical Naturalism |
10/13 |
Sturgeon: Response to Harman |
10/15 |
Religion in ethics |
10/20 |
Religion in ethics (cont'd)
MIDTERM DISTRIBUTED |
10/22 |
NO CLASS (FURLOUGH DAY) |
10/27 |
Modern Ethical Theory
MIDTERM COLLECTED |
10/29 |
Modern Ethical Theory (cont'd) |
11/03 |
G.E. Moore |
11/05 |
H.A. Prichard: ‘The Good' |
11/10 |
W.D. Ross: ‘The Good' |
11/12 |
Subjectivism / emotivism |
11/17 |
Cultural relativism |
11/19 |
Gibbard: Rational, normative ethics |
11/24 |
NO CLASS (FURLOUGH DAY) |
11/26 |
THANKSGIVING |
12/01 |
Virtue-based ethics |
12/03 |
Kant: Absolute morality |
12/08 |
Absolute morality (cont'd)
FINAL EXAM DISTRIBUTED
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12/10 |
Kant (cont'd); Review & wrapup |
| 12/15 |
FINAL EXAM DUE
MENDOCINO 3000 BY 3 PM |
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| lecture schedule - detailed view |
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(E) = Ethics by Cahn, Markie, et al.
(EMP) = Elements of Moral Philosophy by Rachels, et al.
(D) = Download |
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9/01 |
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General introduction and background |
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9/03 |
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(EMP) Chapter 1: “What is Morality?” (1-13) |
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Major Influences in Contemporary American Culture |
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9/08 |
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(E) J.S. Mill: Utilitarianism (317-351) |
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9/10 |
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(EMP) Chapter 7: “The Utilitarian Approach” (97-104) |
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9/15 |
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(E) John Dewey: American Pragmatism / Empirical Naturalism, The Quest for Certainty (selections, 373-386) |
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9/17 |
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(E) Hobbes: Social Contract Theory, Leviathan, Ch.13-14, (221-225) |
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9/22 |
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(EMP) Chapter 6: “The Idea of a Social Contract” (80-93) |
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9/24 |
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(E) John Rawls: “A Theory of Justice” (493-515) |
9/29 |
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NO CLASS (FURLOUGH DAY) |
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Possible Implications of Utilitarianism and Empirical Naturalism |
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10/01 |
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(EMP) Chapter 5: “Ethical Egoism” (62-74) |
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10/06 |
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(EMP) Chapter 8: “The Debate over Utilitarianism” (109-122) |
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10/08 |
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(E) Gilbert Harman: Critique of empirical naturalism, “The Nature of Morality” (625-635) |
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10/13 |
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(E) Nicholas Sturgeon: Defense of empirical naturalism, response to Harman, “Moral Explanations” (636-648) |
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10/15 |
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(EMP) Chapter 4: “Does Morality Depend on Religion?” (48-57) |
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10/20 |
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(EMP) Chapter 4: “Does Morality Depend on Religion?” (cont'd)
MIDTERM EXAM DISTRIBUTED TUESDAY 10/20 |
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10/22 |
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NO CLASS (FURLOUGH DAY) |
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An Appeal to Metaphysics: The Quest for a First Principle of ‘The Good' |
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10/27 |
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(E) James Rachels: “Modern Ethical Theory” (403-412)
MIDTERM EXAM COLLECTED TUESDAY 10/27 |
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10/29 |
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(E) James Rachels (cont'd): “Modern Ethical Theory” (403-412) |
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11/03 |
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(E) G.E. Moore: selections from Principia Ethica (413-419) |
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11/05 |
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(E) H.A. Prichard: “Does Moral Philosophy Rest on a Mistake?” (419-428) |
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11/10 |
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(E) W.D. Ross: Selections from The Right and the Good (429-438) |
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An Ancient Critique of Metaphysical Appeals: The Return of Protagoras |
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11/12 |
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(D) Selections from Plato's Theaetetus
(EMP) Chapter 3: “Subjectivism in Ethics” (32-44) |
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11/17 |
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(EMP) Chapter 2: “The Challenge of Cultural Relativism” (14-29) |
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A Rehabilitation of the Ancient Arguments for Metaphysical Norms |
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11/19 |
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(E) Allan Gibbard: “Moral Judgment and the Acceptance of Norms” (601-613) |
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| 11/24 |
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NO CLASS (FURLOUGH DAY) |
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| 11/26 |
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THANKSGIVING |
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12/01 |
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(E) Martha Nussbaum: “Non-Relative Virtues: An Aristotelian Approach” (659-676) |
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12/03 |
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(E) Kant: The Categorical Imperative (excerpt from “Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals” (270-308) |
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12/08 |
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(E) Kant (cont'd): Review and wrap-up
FINAL EXAM DISTRIBUTED |
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| 12/10 |
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Kant (cont'd); Review & wrapup |
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12/15 |
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FINAL EXAM DUE IN
MENDOCINO 3000 BY 3 PM |
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