Schedule
Note that this schedule may change according to class progress. Changes will be announced in class and will be made to the schedule posted below.
M 9/1 Course Introduction: What is Ethics?
W 9/3 Moral Emotions
Hume on moral sentiments, from Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, “Hume’s Moral Philosophy,” Sections 7, 8 and 9.
Being Good (BG), pp. 1-8, 108-112
M 9/8 Subjectivism and Relativism
BG: pp. 9-29
Moral Philosophy (MP): Pojman, pp. 38-52
W 9/10 Egoism
BG: pp. 29-37
MP: Rachels, pp. 79-86
M 9/15 Ethical Framework: Kant
MP: Kant, pp. 194-195, 205-207
BG: pp. 116-124
W 9/17 Sustainability
McKibben, Ch. 1
M 9/22 Ethical Framework: Utilitarianism
MP: Mill, pp. 141-146
BG: pp. 81-93
W 9/24 Framework application: Population issues
Reading assignment is here.
Argument Outline #1 is due.
M 9/29 Food Ethics
McKibben, Ch. 2
W 10/1 Ethical Framework: Virtue
MP: Mayo, pp. 260-263
BG: pp. 112-116
M 10/6 Individualism & Communities
McKibben, Ch. 3
Argument Outline #2 is due.
W 10/8 Ethical Framework: Social Contract Theory
“Hobbes” is a description of the work of 17th-century philosopher Thomas Hobbes. It is found in the library course reserves. You will need to search for my name, then click “Intro to Ethics” and then download the pdf.
M 10/13 Ethical Framework: Justice
“Rawls” describes the work of a contemporary philosopher and contains excerpts from his book, “A Theory of Justice.” This is also a pdf found on course reserves.
BG: pp. 125-128
W 10/15 Local Economies
McKibben, Ch. 4
Argument Outline #3 is due.
M 10/20 Future Generations
McKibben, Ch. 5
W 10/22 McKibben Symposium, in the Golisano Auditorium
M 10/27 Lifeboat Ethics
MP: pp. 335-343
Ethical Experience Project is due.
W 10/29 Framework application: Sustainability
Michael Specter, “Big Foot” in The New Yorker
Also, take both of the following quizzes to measure your carbon footprint. The two models are slightly different, so write down the information you put into each one and your results and be prepared to discuss them in class. I will collect these. If the format does not work well for you (because you live in a dorm), consider taking the quiz in the role of our parents or in the role of what you believe a “typical” American is like.
Footprint Model 1 is at http://www.rprogress.org/
Footprint Model 2 is at http://sustainability.publicradio.org/consumerconsequences/
M 11/3 Framework application: Activism
Singer, MP: pp. 344-352
W 11/5 Framework application: Climate change
TBA
Argument Outline #4 is due.
TH 11/6, 8pm, Gordon Field House McKibben Lecture
W 11/12, 9am Final Exam
