This course has two components.  One concerns an examination of theories of right and wrong action, for which we will explore the moral importance of nature, religion, character, dignity, and outcomes through discussing, among other theories, virtue ethics, Kantian deontology, and utilitarianism.  The second component looks at some interesting and important ethical issues in applied ethics, including famine relief and topics from engineering and nursing.  These issues are mixed in with the discussion of ethical theories, to keep things interesting and to provide an opportunity for immediate application of each theory.

The purposes of this course are to help students develop into adults who are active, critical, and curious, capable of resisting blind concessions to authority and peer pressure; to help students make meaningful connections between ideas and everyday life; to foster in students a sense of toleration as a product of genuinely understanding others; and to cultivate in students a flexibility and openness to disagreement as a counterpoise to provincialism and moral obtuseness.

Required Prerequisite: None.

Syllabus [PDF]      Paper [PDF]    Presentation [PDF]

Handouts

Find a sample presentation powerpoint (on Famine Relief) here [PDF].

Find a Service Learning Agreement and Project Report Form here [PDF].

Find a sample term paper here [PDF].

Group Presentation Articles

Munthe, Abortion: From Ethics to Politics [for Group 1 Presentation]

Angell, The Supreme Court and Physician-Assisted Suicide--The Ultimate Right [PDF] [for Group 2 Presentation]

Sandel, The Case Against Perfection [for Group 3 Presentation]

Perry, Ethical Issues in Recent U.S. Military Engagements [PDF] [for Group 4 Presentation]

Khatchadourian, No Secrets: Assange's Mission for Total Transparency [PDF] [for Group 5 Presentation]

Dowie, Pinto Madness [for Group 6 Presentation]

Singer, All Animals are Equal [for Group 7 Presentation]

Sanders, Smith, Paul, & Peikoff, Is Health Care a Right? [PDF] [for Group 8 Presentation]

Online Course Material

Leonard, The Story of Stuff [video - requires flash player]


Singer, Famine, Affluence, and Morality


Legal Information Institute, Death Penalty: An Overview


Pollitt, Abortion in American History, The Atlantic (May 1997)

Ethics Experiments

Talking with God: Euthyphro's Dilemma

In the Face of Death

Should You Kill the Fat Man?

You're Being Tortured in the Morning

Would You Eat Your Cat?

Links

Further Information about Issues from this Course


Professional Codes of Ethics


Ethics Blogs