Course Information

Course title:

Ethics

Course number:

Philosophy 102

Course description:

This course will discuss philosophical theories about value, morality, and character. It will examine hedonistic, pluralistic, and other theories of value; egoistic, utilitarian, and deontological theories of value, and various accounts of the role of character in ethical theory. It will also discuss some of the many issues about the nature of morality, including relativism and the relation between ethics and religion.

Location:

Meliora 203

Meeting day(s):

Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Meeting time(s):

9:00-9:50 AM

Instructor Information

Name:

John G. Bennett

Email:

jbennett@philosophy.rochester.edu

Office location:

521 Lattimore

Office hours:

Mon. 1:00-2:30 PM
Wed. 1:00-2:30
and by appointment

Phone:

585 275-8145

Teaching Assistants

TAs:

To Be Announced

Textbooks

Required reading:

Moral Philosophy: A Reader, Louis P. Pojman, Hacket, Third Edition, 0-87220-661-0

Some Policies

:

Special Needs: Special needs will be accommodated whenever possible. Students with special needs should consult Mr. Bennett as soon as possible so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Class Meetings: The course is conducted on the assumption that students attend class. If you will not get up for a 9:00 AM class, please do not enroll in this one. Students who cannot attend a particular class are responsible for making up any missed material; they should begin by consulting other students who were in class and by consulting the web site for announcements or information, including relevant notes. The instructors will be available to answer questions about things students don't understand.

Final Examination Date and Time: The date and time of the final exam are set by the registrar, not the instructor. All students, without exception, will take the final examination at the time the registrar determines.

Requirements

:

Students in Philosophy 102 will write 2 short papers (ca. 5 pp., 1200-1500 words) and take two exams, a mid-term exam and a final exam. Due dates for papers and exams are on the schedule below and details about what is expected on each will be available in advance of each due date.

In addition, there are study questions to be answered at the end of each of the topics on the schedule below. Study questions are available on the course WebCT site, and each set of study questions must be completed during its availability availability period as indicated on the Web site. It is the student's responsibility to see that questions are completed on time; reminders will not usually be issued.

There will be various group activities during the term, often during class time. These activities are required, and they will contribute to students' grades.

Grading

:

The course average for each student will be a weighted average of the letter grades on written work with the following weights: Paper 1: 20%, Paper 2: 25%, Mid-term: 20%, Final: 25%, Study Questions and Group Activities: 10%. In determining the course grade, the average may be adjusted upward to reflect participation in discussions in class or on line. In calculating a grade for the study questions, only a student's 8 best results will be considered.

Approximate Schedule

In the event the an assignment confilicts with religious obligations appropriate accommodations will be made. Affected students should consult with Mr. Bennett as soon as possible.

Sept. 2-7:

Introduction

Read pp. 2-18

Sept. 9-14:

Value: Hedonism

Read pp. 113-115, 124-125

Sept. 16-21:

Value: Pluralism

Read pp. 126-130

Sept. 23-28:

Value: Other Considerations

Read pp. 107-112,116-123, 131-138

Sept; 30-Oct. 5:

Right and Wrong: Egoism

Read pp. 53-103

Oct. 7:

Paper 1 Due at class

Oct. 7-10:

Right and Wrong: Utilitarianism I

Read pp. 141-156

Oct 17:

Fall Break: No Class

Oct 12-19:

Right and Wrong: Utilitarianism II

Read pp. 157-191

Oct 26:

Mid-Term Exam

Details to be announced

Oct 21-26:

Right and Wrong: Deontology I

Read pp. 194-228

Oct. 28-Nov. 2:

Right and Wrong: Deontology II

Read pp. 229-246

Nov. 3-9:

Virtue

Read 249-307

Nov. 18:

Paper 2 Due at class

Nov. 11-23:

Relativism

Read pp. 20-52

Nov. 28-Dec 9:

Religion and Ethics

Read pp. 311-333

Apr. 25-27:

Review, Evaluation, etc.

Dec 21 12:30-3:30 PM PM

Final Examination, Meliora 203 (the usual class room)